Spain, a country known for its rich culture, beautiful landscapes and delicious cuisine, also has some unique regulations for traveling on its roads. One such unique requirement is that certain cars must be marked with the letter “L ”. While this may seem strange to some, for Spaniards it is a normal practice to enhance road safety.

What is “L”?

The letter “L ” comes from the word “learner ”, meaning learner. It is a symbol that informs other road users that the driver of the vehicle is a novice, inexperienced driver or a student at a driving school, called “Novel” in Spanish.

Why is this important?

The presence of the letter “L” on the car is important for several reasons:

1. Warning to other road users: With the “L” designation, other drivers can adjust their driving behavior, taking into account that the driver may be less experienced.
2. Support for novice drivers: For those learning to drive, the “L” designation provides additional support and a reminder of their inexperience, which can help build confidence on the road.
3. Increased risk awareness: For both novice drivers themselves and other road users, the presence of the “L” can serve as a reminder to be more cautious and risk-aware.

Who has this responsibility?

The obligation to mark cars with the letter “L” in Spain applies to drivers who are beginners or learning to drive. According to the highway code, driving with the “L” is mandatory for a period of 12 months after obtaining an “APTO” from the DGT, the corresponding approval from the Spanish traffic service. In addition, the “L” must be placed on the rear window of the car, in the upper left corner. This way it will be visible to other drivers.

In Spain, there are different ways to mark cars with the letter “L.”

• Sticker: The most common way is to place a sticker with the letter “L” on the rear window of the vehicle and marks a novice driver.
• License plate: Some drivers may choose to mount a license plate containing the letter “L”.
• Marking on the roof: In some cases, the “L” may be placed on the roof of the vehicle, especially if the car is used for driving lessons.

Penalties for non-compliance?

Failure to mark a car with an “L” when the driver is a novice can result in a fine from the Spanish traffic service. The amount of the fine can vary depending on the region of Spain, but is usually a relatively small amount.

The mandatory marking of cars with the letter “L” in Spain is intended to increase road safety by alerting other users to the presence of novice drivers. While this may come as a surprise to some tourists or newly arrived foreign drivers, it is worth remembering that obeying local traffic laws is key to traveling safely and avoiding unpleasant consequences.