IFTA Decal Renewal Guide: Requirements, Deadlines & Documents Needed

The IFTA Annual Deadline and Grace Period

An IFTA license and all IFTA decals will be valid for the calendar year, expiring on December 31st of the present calendar year.

The Non-Negotiable Annual Renewal Schedule You need to follow the following timeline with your base jurisdiction to ensure continued compliance:

Requirement	Timeline	Why It Matters
Renewal Application Start	October / November	Most jurisdictions open their online portals for renewal during this period. Submitting early ensures timely receipt of decals.
Renewal Application Deadline	December 31st	Your application must be submitted and fees paid by this date to qualify for the grace period.
Decal Display Grace Period	January 1st through the last day of February	If you filed your renewal by December 31st, you may legally operate using the expired decals until the end of February while waiting for the new ones to arrive.
Mandatory Display Date	March 1st	After this date, all Qualified Motor Vehicles must display the new year's decals. Operating with the old decals will subject you to fines and potential out-of-service orders

Key Requirements: Account in Good Standing

Your IFTA account must be in good standing before your base jurisdiction will process your decal renewal and issue new credentials. Most often, this is the biggest hurdle for carriers.

Pre-requisites to Check Before Applying: Quarterly Returns Filed: You need to have filed all four quarterly fuel tax returns for the current year, including the Quarter 3 return, which is due on October 31st. Many states will not process renewal until Q3 has been filed and processed.
Zero Outstanding Tax Liability: All net taxes, penalties, and interest owed to any IFTA member jurisdiction are to be paid in full. The renewal process will be put on hold immediately if there is any delinquent return or unpaid bill.
Updated Business Information: Verify that your mailing address, phone number, and primary contact information are accurate in the jurisdiction's online portal. This will ensure that your new IFTA license and decals are mailed to the correct address.
Current Insurance/IRP: Some jurisdictions will cross-reference your IFTA renewal with your current International Registration Plan (IRP) and insurance credentials.

Documents and Information Required for Renewal

While renewal predominantly happens via an online portal with your base jurisdiction, you'll want to have specific information at your fingertips to quickly complete the application:

Required Information	Purpose in Renewal	Modern Data Source
Fleet Equipment	Listing Provides a complete list of all Qualified Motor Vehicles needing new decals (includes VIN, Year, Make, Model, and Unit Number).	Centralized fleet management software database.
Number of Decal Sets	The exact count of decal sets needed (two decals per QMV).	Current count of active vehicles in your telematics system.
Number of Decal Sets	Your primary identifier for the base jurisdiction’s online portal.	Previous year's IFTA License copy.
FEIN/USDOT Number	Business verification and linkage to other required motor carrier compliance documents.	Business tax records.
Payment Method	To pay the annual license fee and the per-set decal fee (e.g., typically $10-$20 for the license and $2-$10 per decal set).	Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or credit card.

The Future of Renewal: Automation and Verification

Systems that incorporate intelligent data management eliminate the stress of waiting for decals and manually verifying account compliance. Advanced integrated compliance checks automatically monitor the status of your accounts to detect any impending quarterly deadlines or outstanding tax liabilities well in advance of the opening of a renewal window. It will turn the renewal process from a reactive chore into a simple, validated transaction.

Decal Tracking and Validation: These platforms ensure the proper quantity of ordered decals by directly associating vehicle VINs and unit numbers with digital decal orders. This ensures the correct vehicle listing that must be provided to the state for audit-proof record-keeping.
Automated Document Delivery: Upon renewal processing, the system automatically prompts fleet managers to download and place a copy of the new IFTA License in every truck, thereby ensuring immediate full compliance upon the start of the new calendar year.

Our Client Saying!

The assistance provided was beyond expectations. This was my first time doing it, and their support stayed with me until everything was completed. It took me longer because I was multitasking and they waited whileI was getting other things done. Thank you! The best service I have ever received from any phone support.

Jake Business Person

I've been with them for just under a year. They are good people who conduct business in a professional manner. they stay on top of trending news in the trucking industry and use that knowledge to better serve their customers. I like the family atmosphere and the first-name basis. pricing for services is lower than the industry standard , I think I'll stay right here.

Keith Truck Owner

I have been using Simple Truck Tax for six years now to file our yearly 2290. It is simple to use, and they file it quickly. I have a login, and it is easy to add and remove trucks. They remember my information, so I don't have to upload it again the following year. I definitely recommend their 2290 service.

Garcia Business Person

Start e-Filing Your 2290 Now!