IFTA decal renewal
Two decals per qualified vehicle, one on each side of the cab, renewed every calendar year. The renewal is routine — the part that catches carriers is that it can be refused over a return they forgot to file six months earlier.
The annual cycle
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Around October–November | Base jurisdictions open renewal for the following year |
| From about 1 December | New decals are typically issued and may be displayed for the year ahead |
| 1 January | The new year's credentials take effect |
| January – February | Grace period in many jurisdictions: the previous year's decals remain acceptable while a renewal is pending |
| 1 March | Current decals required, no exceptions |
Dates are the common pattern rather than a rule — base jurisdictions set their own renewal windows and grace-period terms. Check yours.
Renewal is a compliance check in disguise
Most base jurisdictions will not issue new credentials while returns are outstanding or a balance is unpaid. That turns the renewal into an annual audit of your own diligence: a zero return skipped in a quiet quarter, a $50 penalty never paid, and in December the portal declines to renew.
The fix is the boring one — file every quarter, including the empty ones, and clear small balances rather than ignoring them.
Displaying them properly
- One decal on each side of the cab, in the position your base jurisdiction specifies — usually the lower rear exterior of the cab doors.
- Carry the licence, or a legible copy, in the vehicle.
- Decals belong to the vehicle, so a truck sold or a truck added needs the credentials sorted before it moves interstate.
- Running on expired decals past the grace period is a roadside citation in every jurisdiction you pass through, not just your own.
Questions
How many IFTA decals do I need?
Two per qualified motor vehicle, one on each side of the cab, plus the licence (or a copy of it) carried in the vehicle.
How often are IFTA decals renewed?
Every year. Decals are valid for the calendar year and a fresh set is issued on renewal, usually available from around the start of December for the year ahead.
What is the IFTA grace period?
Many jurisdictions let you run on the previous year's decals through the end of February, provided your renewal application is in and in good standing. It is a grace period for the sticker, not for filing — your base jurisdiction's rules decide whether it applies to you.
Can I renew if I owe money or have missing returns?
Usually not. Base jurisdictions commonly withhold renewal until outstanding returns are filed and balances paid, which is how a forgotten zero return in July turns into no credentials in January.
What if I add a truck mid-year?
Order decals for it from your base jurisdiction before it runs interstate. Additional decals are issued during the year for exactly this.