A practical guide to the decals and tags fleets, shops, and facilities use to mark that an inspection happened — what each one is, which rule it sits under, and which one you actually need. We print all of these in Alabama on 4.3 mil weatherproof vinyl.
Before anything else: a decal is a marker, not compliance. Compliance comes from performing the inspection with a qualified inspector and keeping the records the rule requires. The label makes the result visible at a roadside stop or an audit. Nothing on this page is legal advice — verify your obligations with your own DOT compliance resource or your state agency.
Annual (periodic) vehicle inspection
The rule: 49 CFR §396.17–§396.23. Commercial motor vehicles must pass an inspection at least once every 12 months, and the record must be retained. Marking the vehicle itself is the common way carriers show it at a glance.
What people ask: "Does my truck need an annual DOT inspection sticker?" The rule requires the inspection and the record. A decal is how most fleets make the result visible without pulling paperwork at a roadside stop.
FMCSA vs FHWA layout: these are the two commonly used heading styles for annual inspection markings. Both reference the same 49 CFR §396.17–§396.23. Pick whichever your company already uses — they are interchangeable in function.
Custom FHWA & FMCSA annual inspection labels — printed to order with your logo, company name, and contact info, 7 colors, packs from 10 to 1,000.
90-day inspection (and California BIT)
Where the interval comes from: California operators fall under the CHP's Basic Inspection of Terminals (BIT) program, which is where most 90-day marking originates. Plenty of carriers outside California also run a voluntary 90-day preventive-maintenance cycle and mark it the same way.
What people ask: "What is a BIT inspection sticker?" It marks a commercial vehicle at each 90-day interval. The BIT program's actual requirements are about inspections, maintenance records, and driver records — not about the sticker itself.
90-Day BIT / DOT inspection decals — customizable to 30-day, 60-day, 180-day, or annual, with any state or no state.
Need pre-printed write-in labels instead? See the 25-pack, 50-pack, or 100-pack DOT 90-Day Inspection Labels, or browse the full inspection labels collection.
USDOT number and company name marking
The rule: 49 CFR §390.21. A self-propelled commercial motor vehicle must display the carrier's legal name (or a registered trade name) and its USDOT number on both sides of the vehicle, in a color contrasting with the background, legible from 50 feet in daylight while stationary.
What people ask: "How big do my DOT numbers have to be?" The rule specifies legibility from 50 feet rather than a fixed font size — which in practice means roughly 2-inch lettering or larger. Our decals are 12" × 3" to clear that comfortably.
How many do I need? Both sides, so two per power unit. That is why we sell a 2-pack.
USDOT number & company name decals
Driver pre-trip and post-trip inspections
The rules: 49 CFR §396.13 requires the driver to be satisfied the vehicle is in safe operating condition before driving. §396.11 covers the driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR) and how defects get reported and corrected.
What people ask: "Does a checklist label replace my DVIR?" No. The DVIR and its retention are governed separately. A checklist at the vehicle makes the walk-around consistent across drivers and shifts — it supports the routine, it does not replace the report.
Pre-trip / post-trip daily inspection labels
Forklifts and powered industrial trucks
The rule: OSHA 29 CFR §1910.178(q)(7). Industrial trucks must be examined before being placed in service — at least daily, and after each shift where trucks run around the clock. A truck found in unsafe condition must be removed from service until it is restored.
What people ask: "How often does OSHA require forklift inspections?" Daily, before the truck goes into service — and after every shift in a 24-hour operation.
Forklift daily pre-use inspection tags · Out of Service / Do Not Operate tags
Fire extinguishers
The rules: OSHA 29 CFR §1910.157(e)(2) requires a monthly visual inspection of portable extinguishers. NFPA 10 is the standard most jurisdictions reference for how that inspection and its record are handled.
What people ask: "Is the monthly check the same as the annual service?" No. The monthly visual inspection is typically done in-house and recorded on a tag. Annual maintenance is a separate service by a qualified technician.
Fire extinguisher monthly inspection tags
Which one do I need?
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Marking a truck after its 12-month inspection → annual inspection label
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California BIT, or a quarterly PM cycle → 90-day decal
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Lettering a truck for your operating authority → USDOT number decals
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Standardizing the daily driver walk-around → pre-trip / post-trip labels
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Warehouse lift trucks → forklift daily pre-use tags
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A machine or vehicle that must not be run → Out of Service tags
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Building fire extinguishers → monthly inspection tags
How our labels are made
Every decal on this page is printed in our Alabama shop on 4.3 mil weatherproof vinyl with UV-resistant eco-solvent ink and a permanent adhesive, rated for outdoor use through rain, snow, sun, and truck washes. Our annual and 90-day decals are printed to order with your logo, company name, and contact info ��� pack sizes from 10 to 1,000, with bulk pricing built in. Need 2,500+, sequential unit numbering, location-specific variants, or multi-address shipping? Message us; we run large fleet programs regularly.
Free sample: send your company info, logo, and shipping address and we will mail you a sample label at no charge.
Browse all inspection labels and safety tags →
This page is general information about commonly referenced rules, not legal advice. Requirements vary by state, vehicle class, and operation type. Verify your obligations with your own compliance resource or state agency. Our decals are visual indicators; compliance requires a passed inspection by a qualified inspector and proper record retention.
