This car sticker identifies older drivers and is like the 'L' for novice drivers in Spain: it alerts others to be patient and cautious.

If there's one country where respect for the elderly is an unwritten rule that everyone follows, it's Japan . So much so that they even have their own sign to indicate that the driver is over 70 years old, something unthinkable in many other cultures. This sign is called the köreisha mark and is part of a Japanese law that seeks to facilitate coexistence on the road. It's not just a badge, but a gesture of respect and understanding toward those who, due to their age, may need a little more patience when driving.

Since 1997, those over 70 who believe their driving ability may be impaired must place this sticker on the front and rear of their vehicle. For those over 75, its use becomes mandatory. This way, other drivers know to maintain a certain distance or avoid sudden maneuvers near them.

Curiously, this practice has an equivalent at the opposite extreme. New drivers wear the wakaba mark , a green and yellow sign indicating they are learning. It's the equivalent of the traditional "L" that Spanish drivers must wear during their first year behind the wheel . But while in Spain many see it as a temporary nuisance, something to be removed as soon as possible, in Japan the wakaba mark doesn't have that negative connotation for its users.

In addition to being seen on the exterior of cars, the koreisha mark also appears painted on the ground in some parking lots, reserving spaces specifically for older drivers. They are usually located near entrances and are generally slightly wider than usual to facilitate maneuvering and access to the vehicle.

They are somewhat reminiscent of the spaces reserved for large families that we can see in some shopping centers in Spain, although in Japan the gesture is directed toward older people.

The koreisha mark currently takes the form of a four-petaled flower in soft tones, a design meant to convey kindness and respect. But it wasn't always this way. Until 2011, the symbol was a teardrop-shaped figure, in orange and yellow colors, reminiscent of an autumn leaf. Many knew it as "the dried leaf," a nickname not everyone considered appropriate.

Precisely for this reason, the redesign was decided upon, seeking a less stigmatizing image more in keeping with the spirit of the measure.

Beyond Japan, this sticker has been adopted by fans of classic Japanese cars, who use it as a nod to the past and experience. Even some drifters —a driving discipline that involves controlled skidding around corners—show it off proudly, as a symbol of their experience and personal style.

In Spain, there is no official sign indicating that an elderly person is driving. Quite the opposite. The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has published a guide recommending paying special attention to the abilities of drivers over the age of 70-75, but without resorting to stigmas or generalizations.