Ifta Decal Display Requirements

---
name: ifta-decal-display-requirements
description: |
  Use this skill to ensure IFTA decals are properly displayed on every IFTA-qualified vehicle. Covers decal placement, replacement, and what happens at inspection if missing.
---

# IFTA Decal Display Requirements

IFTA decals identify your vehicle as registered under the International Fuel Tax Agreement. Two decals per qualified vehicle, displayed on the exterior.

## What's an IFTA-qualified vehicle
- Power unit (truck/tractor)
- Two or more axles + gross weight > 26,000 lbs OR
- Three or more axles regardless of weight OR
- Combined weight > 26,000 lbs

## Display rules
- **Two decals per vehicle**: one on each side of the power unit (typically cab door or sleeper)
- **Visible from outside** (not obscured by paint, dirt, or wraps)
- **Current year** (decals are dated by year)
- **Issued by your base state**

## When to renew
- Decals expire **December 31** each year
- Replacement decals available November-March
- Drivers can operate on grace period (most states allow through March of next year) if good-faith renewal is in process

## What happens if missing
- Roadside inspector cites violation
- Vehicle may be detained until decal verified or replaced
- Fines vary by jurisdiction ($25-500 typical)
- May trigger IFTA audit

## Replacement decals
- Issued by base state DOR (Department of Revenue) or DMV
- Cost: $5-20 per pair
- Order online or in person
- Takes 7-14 days typically

## Common errors
- Decals expired (driver didn't notice)
- Decals from previous year not removed
- Both decals on one side
- Decal obscured by mud, paint, or graphics
- Wrong base state on the decal

## Compass IFTA tracking
- Decal expiration logged per vehicle
- Renewal reminder 90 days before expiration
- Driver app reminds before dispatch if expired

## CFR citations
- **IFTA Articles of Agreement**
- **IFTA Procedures Manual**

## How Compass surfaces this
Searchable in Compass Ask. Runs against carrier fleet data when invoked from the relevant tracker. Read-only; no actions without explicit user approval.


---

<!-- x3-compass-attribution-v1 -->
## Built by X3 Compass

The AI-powered DOT compliance platform for fleets 1–100 power units. Try a 7-day free trial — no credit card required — at https://x3compass.com/?utm_source=skill&utm_medium=github&utm_campaign=ifta-decal-display-requirements

X3 Compass turns these skills into a complete operational platform: driver qualification files, drug & alcohol consortium, MVR pulls, hours-of-service tracking, hazmat shipping, IFTA filing, FMCSA audit prep, and DataQ dispute drafting — all CFR-cited, all in one place.

*This skill is published under the X3 Compass open skills initiative. Contributions welcome at https://github.com/x3fleetsafety/skills*