How to Get an IFTA Sticker

The International Fuel Tax Agreement - that’s what IFTA stands for - makes fuel tax reporting easier for truckers travelling through more than one state or province. It is an official agreement between 48 US states and 10 Canadian provinces to make the paperwork for fuel tax reporting easier.

Every truck registered under the IFTA agreement must display a valid IFTA sticker (you can call it a decal). These stickers show that your truck is registered for fuel tax reporting and that you’re following all IFTA sticker requirements. 

Each truck needs to have two stickers, one on the driver’s side and another on the passenger’s. If you drive across state lines without them, you can get a fine or have your truck taken out of service.

Sticker fees may vary depending on the state; i.e., California charges $10, while for New York the price is $8, so check your state’s current fee schedule.

How to File IFTA Online and Get the Stickers

Filing for your IFTA license and ordering your IFTA stickers might sound complicated at first, but once you know the steps, it’s actually pretty simple. Let’s understand how to file IFTA online, what documents you’ll need and where to get your decals.

Step 1. Make Sure You’re Qualified for IFTA

Before starting with the application, you need to know who needs an IFTA sticker and when you need IFTA stickers in general.

You can apply for an IFTA sticker if your truck:

• Gross vehicle weight is over 26,000 pounds
• Has three or more axles
• It is a semi-truck trailer with more than 26,000 pounds GVW.

If you’re asking yourself, “Do I need IFTA if I don’t leave the state?”, the answer is no. But if you cross even one state (or provincial) line, you must have valid IFTA stickers.

Step 2. Have All the Documents Required

Before you log in to your state portal, make sure you have:

• USDOT number
• Employer Identification Number or Social Security Number
• Business name, address, contact info
• Vehicle information (VIN, plate number, unit number)
• Proof of registration in your base state
• A motor-carrier portal account (if required)

Please note that each state has its own requirements, but the basics stay the same nationwide.

For example:

• For Texas, apply through the Texas Comptroller’s IFTA WebFile portal 
• For California, file via the CDTFA Motor Carrier Office.
• For New York, use the OSCAR (One Stop Credentialing and Registration) system.
• For Florida, go to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles portal, etc.

Step 3: Apply for Your IFTA License First

Before ordering your stickers, make sure you applied to get your IFTA license. To apply:

• Log in or create an account on your base state’s motor carrier or fuel tax portal.
• Complete the online IFTA license application.
• Pay the state fees (usually up to $10, depending on the state).
• Submit the application and wait for approval.

Once your license is active, you order your IFTA decals. For an overview of state requirements, visit the International Fuel Tax Association (IFTA).

Step 4: Order Your IFTA Stickers

After your license is approved, go to your state’s portal for getting IFTA stickers. During this step, you provide:

• The number of qualified trucks in your business
• The unit or plate number for each car
• An address for shipping

Most states mail decals within 7-15 business days, though some (like California and Texas) let you print a temporary permit so you can stay on the road while waiting.

Step 5: Confirm Your License and Application Status

Once you’ve applied, you are able to monitor progress online to check IFTA status. For example:

• Texas: Log in, go to Fuel Taxes then IFTA Status
• New York: Sign in to OSCAR, go to IFTA Services then License Status
• Florida: Motor Carrier Portal then check License and Sticker Orders

Step 6: Avoid Common Mistakes

Applying for IFTA decals online can be confusing. Here are a few issues that can slow down approvals:

• Applying for stickers before you’ve got an approved license
• Having unpaid fuel tax or late return
• Entering wrong EIN, address or USDOT number
• Forgetting to list all the vehicles you have
• Missing your IFTA sticker renewal date 

Step 7: Display Your IFTA Decals Correctly

When you get your stickers:

• Place one sticker on each side of the truck’s cab and make sure they are visible.
• Keep your IFTA license’s copy in the cab
• Replace decals each year (they expire on each December 31)

What is Quarterly Fuel Tax Reporting

Getting IFTA incense and the decals is just the start. You also need to file a quarterly tax report. It shows your base state how much fuel tax you owe or if you've paid too much. 

Your IFTA fuel tax report combines three main numbers:

1. Total miles driven in each state or province
2. Total gallons of fuel purchased
3. Your truck’s average miles per gallon (MPG) number

Those numbers help your home state figure out how much tax you owe in each state you drove through. You may even get a credit or refund if you've already paid more tax than you owe.

You need to file the IFTA tax return every quarter. If you are behind the dates, you could face fines, usually $50 or 10% of the total tax owed, whichever is greater. Below are the dates:

Quarter	Reporting Period	Filing Deadline
1st Quarter	January 1 - March 31	April 30, 2025
2nd Quarter	April 1 - June 30	July 31, 2025
3d Quarter	July 1 - September 30	October 31, 2025
4th Quarter	October 1 - December 31	February 2, 2026

Note: If the filing date is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the due date automatically moves to the next business day.

Every state has its own rules and deadlines for filing IFTA reports. For example:

• Texas

You can file your IFTA taxes through the Texas Comptroller’s WebFile. It usually takes 3 - 5 business days to process the filing and payments are confirmed instantly once submitted. If you file late, the $50 or 10% penalty will proceed automatically.

• California

You can use CDTFA online portal to submit your reports. Processing can take up to 10 business days. If you file late, CDTFA adds a 10% penalty and interest for each month overdue.

• New York

New York uses The One Stop Credentialing and Registration (OSCAR) system for IFTA reports. You also need to keep up with your Highway Use Tax (HUT) or you could lose your license. The state says you should keep records of your mileage and fuel for at least four years in case you get an IFTA audit.

• Florida

Florida drivers file via the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles online or by mail (online is faster). Processing takes about 5 - 7 business days. If you owe fuel taxes from before, your account will be frozen until you pay them all, which means you can't get new IFTA stickers.

Please note that each state has its own times, acceptable payment methods, etc. To stay updated, check your state's official fuel tax website.

Steps for IFTA Sticker Renewal

Your IFTA sticker renewal must be completed every year, usually before December 31. Missing the renewal deadline can lead to penalties or suspension of your IFTA license.

Late filing penalties:

• $50 or 10% of total tax owed (whichever is greater).
• Additional interest charges for each late month.
• Possible suspension until all returns and payments are done.
   

How to renew online:

• Log in to your business account on your state’s IFTA portal
• Open the ≡ Services menu
• Select Registrations and Account Updates
• Choose Business Change of Address (if needed)
• Continue to IFTA Renewal and follow on-screen steps

Important: Before renewing, check your account for IFTA or highway-use taxes. If anything is owed, your renewal will be blocked until the balance is paid fully.

What State Has the Highest IFTA Tax?

The IFTA fuel tax rates are different in each state. There are different tax rates for diesel, gasoline, propane and biodiesel. However, since most commercial trucks rely on diesel, that's the one that matters most to drivers.

The IFTA data shows that some states charge a lot more for each gallon than others:

• In California, special diesel costs about $0.97 per gallon, which is the highest in the US
• Pennsylvania: around $0.74 per gallon
• Washington: about $0.58 a gallon
• About $0.53 per gallon in Illinois
• Missouri: about $0.30 a gallon

These numbers change each quarter, so make sure you’re always up to date with the IFTA tax rate matrix before filing returns. What you burn affects how much tax you pay. Your IFTA report uses these quarterly fuel-type rates to determine what you owe or receive.