To request L, on IRC, do /msg O requestl #channel
You must be in the top 5 recognised channel operators to request L, with 3 other users. If your channel has no recognised channel operators, then 2 hours is the minimum until you can be the first.
Your channel operator status is tracked via points in a system called chanfix. The longer that you are opped on the channel, the higher your score will be. Once your score is in the top 5, you may request L. The other 3 users do not need to be opped.
Your points in chanfix are tracked by Q auth and/or host, and they are not reset if you change nickname, or leave the channel. It is saved, and upon rejoining and being opped, you will continue to accumulate points from where you left off.
If you get an error reporting 'Score too low...', then you will simply either need to ask another channel operator to make the request, or try again later once your score is higher.
If you get an error reporting ‘An error occurred adding the channel’, then you are already known on the maximum number of channels. When you add L, it adds another channel to your chanlev, you must make space for one more entry.
If you get an error reporting ‘System overloaded, try again in 5 minutes’, then the system is currently being bombarded with requests, and cannot handle the traffic. You should try again in 5 minutes.