USDOT Number Sticker

What it is

The USDOT Number Sticker prints just the number line — "USDOT" followed by your carrier's DOT number — cut from single-color vinyl at a letter height you choose, and set to the layout FMCSA regulations describe. Type your digits, pick a height and color, and order two to cover both doors of the power unit — the price is per sticker. Your company name is not part of this product; if you need the carrier name or trade name on the door as well, that is ordered separately as Car & Truck Lettering.

What FMCSA requires

Under FMCSA regulation 49 CFR §390.21, a commercial power unit must display the carrier's legal name (or a single trade name) and its USDOT number on both sides of the vehicle, in a color that contrasts with the background, and it must be readable from 50 feet in daylight while the vehicle is stationary. The rule itself does not set one fixed letter height — 2-inch letters are the common practical minimum carriers use to meet that 50-foot standard, and some states ask for 3-inch letters, so check your state's requirement if you operate there regularly.

Where to place it

The two stickers go on the cab doors of the power unit — the truck or tractor itself, not the trailer — one per side, positioned where it stays visible and is not obscured by mirrors, handles or existing markings.

Sizes and pricing

Letter heights of 2, 3 and 4 inches are available; the width of the number line scales automatically to fit however many digits your DOT number has (5 to 8 digits), so you never have to calculate the panel size yourself.

Letter height	Example: 7-digit number	Price per sticker
2 in	about 18.4 in wide	$17.15
3 in	about 27.6 in wide	$21.19
4 in	about 36.8 in wide	$26.85

Prices start from $16.52 per sticker for a shorter number at the smallest height, and drop with quantity — two stickers at 2 inches run $16.08 each. Most trucks need two, one for each side of the cab, and every order includes a free squeegee for installation.

Why it holds up

Cut from single-color vinyl in your choice of 13 colors, this is a solid piece of film rather than printed ink, so it will not fade unevenly and is rated for 5+ years outdoors. Transfer tape is included free so the numbers land straight and evenly spaced, and a Reflective option is available if you want the number line to stay legible in headlights during roadside stops at night.

Who this is for

• New authorities — getting a truck compliant for the first time after receiving a USDOT number.
• Fleet additions — adding a new power unit that needs the same layout as the rest of the fleet.
• Repainted or wrapped trucks — replacing a number line that was removed during bodywork.
• Leased and owner-operator trucks — a quick, inexpensive way to stay compliant between full lettering jobs.

How to apply

Because this is a compliance marking, take a little extra care with placement and levelness — use painter's tape as a level guide across both doors before you start.

1. Wash the panel with soap and water, then wipe it with rubbing alcohol and let it dry completely — any wax, dust or grease under the vinyl will shorten how long it holds.
2. Work in a shaded spot between about 60 and 90 degrees F. Direct sun makes the adhesive grab too fast; cold makes it grab too slowly.
3. Peel back a corner of the backing paper and tack the decal in place to confirm the position before committing.
4. Use a strip of painter's tape as a hinge at the top so the decal stays aligned while you peel away the rest of the backing paper.
5. Squeegee from the center outward in overlapping passes to push air out toward the edges, not trap it in the middle.
6. If the order includes transfer tape, squeegee firmly over it, then peel the transfer tape back slowly at a low angle, checking that every letter released onto the surface.
7. Press down any edges or corners that did not fully bond, working from the center out.
8. If a small air bubble remains, prick it with a pin and press it flat — do not try to squeegee a large bubble out through the edge.
9. Give the adhesive time to cure — avoid washing the vehicle for at least 48 hours after installation.

Removal and care

Warm the film with a hair dryer or heat gun on a low setting, then peel it back slowly at a low angle rather than straight up — heat keeps the vinyl from tearing into small pieces. Any adhesive left behind comes off with an adhesive remover or rubbing alcohol, then a regular wash. Because it is rated for 5+ years outdoors, you can leave it on through winters and regular washing and remove it later without stripping paint, as long as the clear coat underneath is in normal condition. If your DOT number changes or you sell the unit, the sticker removes cleanly so the door is ready for a new number.