Can You Move a Florida Fuel Tax Decal to Another Truck?

Can You Move a Florida Fuel Tax Decal to Another Truck?

Table Of Contents

• Introduction

• The Short Answer

• What Florida Law Says About Fuel Tax Decals

• Why Decals Stay With One Truck

• Common Situations Where Carriers Try to Move a Decal

• What to Do When a Truck Leaves Your Fleet

• How to Cover a New or Replacement Truck

• What Happens If You Run Without a Valid Decal

• Tips to Keep Your Decals in Order

• Why Many Trucking Companies Choose Our Service

• FAQ

Introduction

Fleets change all the time. A tractor is sold, a new truck arrives, or a unit is wrecked and replaced in the middle of the year. When that happens, carriers often look at the fuel tax decals on the old truck and wonder if they can simply peel them off and put them on the new one.

In Florida, the answer is clear, and getting it wrong can turn a simple truck swap into a serious violation. This guide explains the decal rules, what to do with old decals, and how to keep a new truck legal with IFTA decals or a Florida Fuel Permit.

The Short Answer

No. You cannot move a Florida fuel tax decal to another truck. Under Florida Statutes 207.004(1)(a), the transfer of a fuel tax decal from one vehicle to another vehicle or from one motor carrier to another motor carrier is prohibited.

A replacement truck needs its own set of decals, or it must travel on a Florida Fuel Permit until its decals are issued.

What Florida Law Says About Fuel Tax Decals

Florida's fuel tax rules are in Chapter 207, the Motor Fuel Use Tax. Section 207.004(1)(a) says a motor carrier may not operate a qualified motor vehicle in Florida until the carrier is licensed under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) and has been issued fuel tax decals, or holds a temporary fuel-use permit.

The law also says:

• Each set of decals costs $4 per year or any fraction of a year.

• Decals must be conspicuously displayed on the vehicle, following the instructions on the back of the decal, while it operates on public highways.

• Decals cover January 1 through December 31, and the next year's decals may be displayed starting December 1.

• A copy of the IFTA license must be carried in each vehicle or made available electronically.

• Transferring decals between vehicles or between carriers is prohibited.

Why Decals Stay With One Truck

A fuel tax decal shows that a specific vehicle is covered by a carrier's IFTA account. If decals could move freely from truck to truck, one set could be used to cover several vehicles at once, and the state would have no way to tell which truck is actually reporting its fuel and miles.

That is why Florida ties decals to the vehicle and the carrier they were issued for. Under 207.004(1)(b), the carrier is also solely responsible for the proper use of its decals by its employees, consignees, or lessees.

Common Situations Where Carriers Try to Move a Decal

• Truck sold or traded. The carrier wants to reuse the decals from the old truck.

• Truck wrecked or out of service. A replacement unit takes over the route.

• New truck added mid-year. The carrier has spare decals from a truck it no longer runs.

• Owner-operator leaves the fleet. The driver takes the truck, and the carrier wants to reuse the decals elsewhere.

• Sharing with another carrier. A friendly fleet offers to lend decals for a trip.

In every one of these cases, moving the decal is not allowed.

What to Do When a Truck Leaves Your Fleet

Florida law tells carriers exactly what to do with old decals. Under 207.004(3), when a carrier stops operating a vehicle:

1. Destroy the Decals. The fuel tax decals on that vehicle must be destroyed.

2. Notify the Department. Send a letter to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles right away.

3. List the Decal Numbers. Include the numbers of the decals that were destroyed.

4. Keep a Copy. Save a copy of the letter with your IFTA records.

Do not leave the decals on a truck you sold. The buyer cannot use them, and your account remains responsible for them until they are destroyed and reported.

How to Cover a New or Replacement Truck

A new truck needs its own credentials before it runs as a qualified motor vehicle in Florida. You have two options:

• Order new decals. Request an additional set of decals for the new truck through your IFTA account.

• Use a Florida Fuel Permit. If the decals won't arrive in time, a temporary Florida Fuel Permit covers the truck for 10 days from issuance.

Keep in mind that a Florida Fuel Permit is also tied to the truck it names. It cannot be moved to a different vehicle either.

What Happens If You Run Without a Valid Decal

Running a qualified motor vehicle without its own decals or a valid Florida Fuel Permit is serious. Under 207.007(3), operating without decals or a valid permit is a felony of the third degree, and each day of operation is a separate offense.

The state may also revoke or suspend the carrier's licensure. Using a decal that belongs to another truck or another carrier does not protect you, because that decal is not valid for the vehicle.

Tips to Keep Your Decals in Order

• Track decal numbers by truck. Know which set is on which unit.

• Order decals before adding a truck. Plan ahead so the new truck isn't parked.

• Destroy decals on sold trucks. Then send the required letter with decal numbers.

• Keep a license copy in every cab. Or make it available electronically.

• Display decals correctly. Follow the instructions on the back of the decal.

Why Many Trucking Companies Choose Our Service

Florida Trucking Online helps carriers keep every truck legal when the fleet changes. If decals for a new truck aren't ready, we can issue a Florida Fuel Permit fast so the truck can roll while you wait.

• Fuel permit: $120

• Trip permit: $105

• Oversize permit: $97

We provide support 24/7 and also work weekends and holidays.

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FAQ

Can I move my Florida fuel tax decal to a new truck?

No. Florida law prohibits transferring a decal from one vehicle to another.

Can another carrier use my decals?

No. Transferring decals from one motor carrier to another is also prohibited.

What do I do with decals on a truck I sold?

Destroy them and notify the department by letter with the decal numbers.

How can a new truck run before its decals arrive?

It can travel on a Florida Fuel Permit, which is valid for 10 days from issuance.

How much does your Florida Fuel Permit service cost?

Our Florida Fuel Permit service is $120.

For more information, visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.