Question
I’m from the US and aiming for a Spanish driver’s license. Can I use my US driving record to skip displaying the learner’s ‘L’ and possibly get insurance benefits in Spain?
Answers
‘These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
”You are going to drive like a new driver with L sorry to say”
”I was told the same by a driving school here in BCN. They said to do it before starting and you get cheaper insurance rates and that I could skip one of the two levels of motorcycle tests. The thing is I asked at the us embassy and they said sorry that’s a state thing.
What I’ve been able to suss out is the following (which I’m about to start, so anyone with better info please weigh in): 1-get the driving report from your state DMV. 2-get it notarized. 3-get it apostilled from the secretary of states office for your state. 4-get it translated. 5-do this all quickly as paperwork expires.
I’m seeing how much my sister can help/looking for law firms to assist. I found an online notary, and another that assists with speedy apostilles”
”I also use Abbeygate insurance. They counted my US driving history so don’t charge me as if I’m a new driver. For this, I did provide them then US driving record”
”Good luck with all of that. The biggest stumbling block will be anything to do with the DGT – Dirección General de Trafico – in Spain. Virtually impossible to get an appointment, they are among the worst government departments to deal with”
”I’ve not done it myself (just used the L) but my driving instructor told me the same. I wasn’t a novice driver really so I didn’t need the L. As for the insurance, I also don’t know as it’s my partner’s car and he makes the payments but funnily enough, we took out the policy in my name with my US license before I had my license here as it was cheaper.
That was with Verti and they had no problem with me using my American license. Good luck on the exams. I thought the theory one was quite easy and if I can learn stick, anyone can”
”I got my Spain DL by enrolling in drivers school with Sportseville driving school in Seville. The instructor helped me take the theory and drivers exam in english. After I passed the drivers exam I got the green L to place on the back window. L stands for learner but my wife said is stands for looser. I like the L because it kind of excuses me with other drivers if I make a mistake, they think I’m just a beginner even though I’ve been driving in the USA for over 50 years. I’m actually thinking I’ll keep the L on my car after one year”
‘These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
”You are going to drive like a new driver with L sorry to say”
”I was told the same by a driving school here in BCN. They said to do it before starting and you get cheaper insurance rates and that I could skip one of the two levels of motorcycle tests. The thing is I asked at the us embassy and they said sorry that’s a state thing. What I’ve been able to suss out is the following (which I’m about to start, so anyone with better info please weigh in): 1-get the driving report from your state DMV. 2-get it notarized. 3-get it apostilled from the secretary of states office for your state. 4-get it translated. 5-do this all quickly as paperwork expires. I’m seeing how much my sister can help/looking for law firms to assist. I found an online notary, and another that assists with speedy apostilles”
”I also use Abbeygate insurance. They counted my US driving history so don’t charge me as if I’m a new driver. For this, I did provide them then US driving record”
”Good luck with all of that. The biggest stumbling block will be anything to do with the DGT – Dirección General de Trafico – in Spain. Virtually impossible to get an appointment, they are among the worst government departments to deal with”
”I’ve not done it myself (just used the L) but my driving instructor told me the same. I wasn’t a novice driver really so I didn’t need the L. As for the insurance, I also don’t know as it’s my partner’s car and he makes the payments but funnily enough, we took out the policy in my name with my US license before I had my license here as it was cheaper. That was with Verti and they had no problem with me using my American license. Good luck on the exams. I thought the theory one was quite easy and if I can learn stick, anyone can”
”I got my Spain DL by enrolling in drivers school with Sportseville driving school in Seville. The instructor helped me take the theory and drivers exam in english. After I passed the drivers exam I got the green L to place on the back window. L stands for learner but my wife said is stands for looser. I like the L because it kind of excuses me with other drivers if I make a mistake, they think I’m just a beginner even though I’ve been driving in the USA for over 50 years. I’m actually thinking I’ll keep the L on my car after one year”
”I was encouraged to do the same, but it would have been so much hassle, time, and money to get the documents sorted. Ultimately the L isn’t such a big deal. The only major difference is legal blood alcohol limit”
”My school, la Sexta Marcha, was unwilling and unable to help, didn’t understand the regulations even when I explained them and cited the Spanish law. California would not apostille the document. I got it notarized. I was unable to get a cita previa in Barcelona, and eventually gave up”
”Go with balumba, online company but they work really well. Pay 250 a year and they don’t ask for driving history. With mapfre it would have been 700”
”I was told to get my TN driver’s record and have them apostiled. It would help on insurance to have that”
”I went through Abbeygate / Liberty insurance and provided my driving record in English. The L, as far as I know, is unavoidable. But…. It doesn’t bother me in the least (9 more days with it!!) so I didn’t spend much time trying to sort it out”
Conclusion
In conclusion, according to Spainguru Facebook group members, it seems opinions are mixed on whether you can skip the learner’s ‘L’ in Spain by using your US driving record. Some recommend obtaining and translating your driving record, getting it notarized and apostilled, then providing it to certain insurance companies who might consider your US driving history.
However, dealing with Spanish government departments like DGT could be challenging. Many found it easier to embrace the ‘L,’ citing experiences with insurance companies like Abbeygate or Balumba that consider US driving history but still require displaying the learner’s mark. Ultimately, while some found it cumbersome to sort out, others found it manageable and didn’t mind the ‘L’ period.
