Short answer: an FMCSA annual inspection label is the decal a motor carrier puts on a commercial motor vehicle to document the periodic inspection required by 49 CFR 396.17. The rule says a carrier must not use the vehicle unless every component in Appendix A to Part 396 "has passed an inspection in accordance with the terms of this section at least once during the preceding 12 months and documentation of such inspection is on the vehicle." A sticker is one of the two documentation forms the rule accepts, provided it carries four specific items. Our FMCSA annual inspection labels are printed to order with your logo and company information in packs of 10 to 1,000.
Key facts at a glance
- Rule: 49 CFR 396.17 (inspection), 396.19 (inspector qualifications), 396.21 (report and 14-month retention), Appendix A (what gets inspected).
- Interval: at least once every 12 months, with documentation on the vehicle.
- What the sticker must carry (396.17(c)(2)): date of inspection; name and address where the report is kept; vehicle identification if not already marked on the vehicle; a certification of a passed inspection under 396.17.
- Label size: 4 in. x 4 in., 4.3-mil air-release vinyl, UV-resistant ink, 2026 to 2030 year grid.
- Colors: Black, White, Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink. Pack sizes 10, 20, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000.
- Heading options: FMCSA or FHWA. Same rule, same price; see why some stickers still say FHWA.
- Printed in: Alabama, USA. Personalized label orders typically process in 1 to 2 business days.
What does 49 CFR 396.17 require on an annual inspection sticker?
49 CFR 396.17(c) says a carrier must not use a commercial motor vehicle unless every Appendix A component "has passed an inspection in accordance with the terms of this section at least once during the preceding 12 months and documentation of such inspection is on the vehicle." The rule then gives two acceptable forms of that documentation. One is the inspection report itself. The other, in 396.17(c)(2), is "other forms of documentation, based on the inspection report (e.g., sticker or decal), which contains the following information":
- "The date of inspection"
- "Name and address of the motor carrier, intermodal equipment provider, or other entity where the inspection report is maintained"
- "Information uniquely identifying the vehicle inspected if not clearly marked on the motor vehicle"
- "A certification that the vehicle has passed an inspection in accordance with § 396.17"
Here is how each printed element on our label maps to that list:
| Rule item (396.17(c)(2)) | Where it lives on the label |
|---|---|
| Date of inspection | The year boxes (2026 to 2030), the JAN to DEC month row, and the 1 to 31 day circles. Punch or mark one of each. |
| Name and address where the report is kept | The company information panel, printed with your name, city, state, ZIP, and phone, under the line "An electronic record of this vehicle's inspection report is maintained at." |
| Vehicle identification (if not marked on the vehicle) | Most fleets already carry a unit number on the door. If yours does not, we can add sequential unit numbers to the print on request. |
| Certification of a passed inspection | The printed line "This vehicle has passed inspection in accordance with 49 CFR 396.17 through 396.23." |
Who performs the inspection, and what records back up the sticker?
The sticker is only the visible end of a paper trail. Under 396.17(d) and (e) the carrier can inspect in-house or use a commercial garage, fleet leasing company, or truck stop as its agent; either way the person doing the work has to meet the training-or-experience standard in 396.19, and the carrier keeps evidence of that qualification. The inspector prepares a report under 396.21(a) that identifies the inspector, the carrier, the date, the vehicle, and the components inspected with their results, and certifies "the accuracy and completeness of the inspection." 396.21(b) requires that "the original or a copy of the inspection report shall be retained by the motor carrier, intermodal equipment provider, or other entity that is responsible for the inspection for a period of fourteen months from the date of the inspection report."
Two of our cluster articles go deeper: who can perform a DOT annual inspection and the Appendix A inspection checklist.
FMCSA vs. FHWA heading: which should you pick?
FMCSA is the current agency name; it was established on January 1, 2000 and was "formerly a part of the Federal Highway Administration." Stickers headed FHWA date from before that and are still widely used. The rule does not prescribe a heading, so the choice is about your own standard: if your fleet, your insurer, or your customers reference FMCSA, order the FMCSA style. If your shop has always used FHWA stickers and wants continuity across the fleet, order FHWA. Both styles are printed on the same vinyl, in the same seven colors, at the same price.
Specifications
| Size | 4 in. x 4 in. |
|---|---|
| Material | 4.3-mil air-release calendared vinyl, permanent adhesive |
| Ink | UV-resistant eco-solvent, outdoor rated, holds up to washing and road grime |
| Year grid | 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030 punch boxes, JAN to DEC month row, 1 to 31 day circles |
| Colors | Black, White, Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink (brand colors on request with RGB or CMYK values) |
| Personalization | Your logo in the logo box, your company name and address in the information panel |
| Pack sizes | 10, 20, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000 (2,500+ on request) |
| Applies to | Clean, dry painted metal, glass, or smooth plastic |
| Printed in | Alabama, USA |
FMCSA inspection label pricing by pack size
| Pack size | Pack price | Price per label |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Pack | $66.65 | $6.67 |
| 20 Pack | $93.32 | $4.67 |
| 50 Pack | $133.32 | $2.67 |
| 100 Pack | $186.65 | $1.87 |
| 250 Pack | $306.65 | $1.23 |
| 500 Pack | $533.32 | $1.07 |
| 1,000 Pack | $999.99 | $1.00 |
FMCSA and FHWA styles are the same price. Every pack is printed to order with your company information. Need 2,500 or more, sequential unit numbers, or shipping to several terminals? Message us before you order and we will set it up.
How to order FMCSA annual inspection labels with your logo
- On the annual inspection label listing, choose Style: FMCSA, your color, and your pack size.
- Check out.
- Reply to your order confirmation email with your logo (PNG, SVG, or PDF) and the company name and address you want printed in the records panel. We build a proof, print, and ship.
Fleets that want sequential unit numbers printed on each label, location-specific address panels for several terminals, or shipments to more than one address should message us before ordering; we handle those programs regularly. And if you want to hold one in your hand first, send your company info, logo, and shipping address for a free sample label.
How do you mark and place the label?
After the vehicle passes, punch or paint-mark one year box, one month, and one day circle to record the inspection date. Place the label on a clean, dry, painted or glass surface on the driver's side, commonly the cab door below the window or the forward fender panel ahead of the door seam. Trailers that are inspected carry their own label on the front left corner or side rail. Because 396.17(c) only says the documentation must be "on the vehicle," the exact spot is your fleet standard, not a federal rule. Timing, proof at roadside, and what happens when the 12 months run out are covered in how long a DOT annual inspection is good for.
Related reading
- FHWA inspection stickers: what FHWA means on a truck label, and where to get custom ones
- How long is a DOT annual inspection good for? Validity, proof, and where the sticker goes
- Who can perform a DOT annual inspection? Inspector qualifications under 49 CFR 396.19
- DOT annual inspection checklist: what Appendix A to Part 396 covers
- Annual DOT inspection vs. California 90-day BIT inspection
- 90-day inspection labels for trucks
Shop inspection labels
- FMCSA / FHWA annual inspection labels: your logo and company info, seven colors, packs of 10 to 1,000, from $66.65 for 10.
- Custom 90-day BIT / DOT inspection decals for fleets that also run a 90-day cycle.
- DOT 90-day write-in labels when you need a stack of labels today with no personalization.
- Browse the full inspection labels collection or use the DOT inspection label guide to pick a format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does FMCSA require an annual inspection sticker?
49 CFR 396.17(c) requires that documentation of the annual inspection be on the vehicle. That documentation can be the inspection report itself or "other forms of documentation, based on the inspection report (e.g., sticker or decal)" carrying the four items in 396.17(c)(2). A sticker is the common way to meet the on-the-vehicle requirement.
What information has to be on an FMCSA annual inspection label?
Per 396.17(c)(2): the date of inspection; the name and address of the motor carrier or other entity where the inspection report is maintained; information identifying the vehicle if it is not already marked on the vehicle; and a certification that the vehicle passed an inspection in accordance with 396.17.
Does the sticker make my truck DOT compliant?
No. The sticker documents an inspection that a qualified inspector under 396.19 actually performed and reported under 396.21. Compliance comes from performing the inspection, fixing anything that fails Appendix A, and retaining the report for 14 months. The label makes that result visible at roadside.
What size and material are your FMCSA inspection labels?
4 in. x 4 in. on 4.3-mil air-release calendared vinyl with permanent adhesive and UV-resistant eco-solvent ink, rated for outdoor use, washing, and road grime.
Can I get my company logo and a custom color?
Yes. Every pack is printed to order with your logo and company information. Seven stock colors are on the listing; send RGB or CMYK values for a brand-matched color.
How much do FMCSA annual inspection labels cost?
From $66.65 for a 10 pack ($6.67 per label) to $999.99 for 1,000 ($1.00 per label). FMCSA and FHWA styles are priced the same.
Sources
- 49 CFR 396.17, Periodic inspection (Cornell LII)
- 49 CFR 396.19, Inspector qualifications (Cornell LII)
- 49 CFR 396.21, Periodic inspection recordkeeping (Cornell LII)
- Appendix A to Part 396, Minimum Periodic Inspection Standards (Cornell LII)
- What is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration? (FMCSA)
About Wood Unlimited
Wood Unlimited prints DOT inspection and compliance labels on 4.3-mil weatherproof vinyl with UV-resistant ink, printed in Alabama, USA, for single trucks and full fleets. A label is a visual indicator on the vehicle. The inspection itself, performed by a qualified inspector and documented under the applicable rule, is what the regulation actually requires. Nothing in this article is legal advice; verify your obligations with your own compliance resource or state agency.