CVSA decals are color-coded stickers that indicate a commercial vehicle has recently passed a roadside inspection without any critical safety violations. Each decal's color and number combination identifies the month in which the inspection took place. This sticker system enables inspectors affiliated with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) to quickly identify which commercial vehicles have been inspected and which have not, resulting in improved time management and increased vehicle inspections. However, having a decal doesn't mean your vehicle can't be reinspected.
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How Do You Get a CVSA Decal?
Commercial vehicles, buses, and trailers that pass a North American Standard Level I, Level V, or Level VI inspection without critical violations are eligible for a CVSA decal. Only certified inspectors who have completed a CVSA-approved training program are authorized to conduct these inspections and apply decals. These inspectors are usually local, state, or federal law enforcement agents.
CVSA agents examine each vehicle for "critical vehicle inspection items" outlined in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC). If the agent records no violations for these components during an eligible inspection, they will usually issue and affix a new CVSA decal.
Critical Vehicle Inspection Items
All Commercial Vehicles | Brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft, driver’s seat, exhaust systems, frames, fuel systems, lighting devices (lamps and signals), steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, van and open-top trailer bodies, wheels, rims and hubs, windshield wipers, and rear impact guards. |
Passenger Carrying Vehicles (Buses, Vans, Motorcoach) | Emergency exits, electrical cables and systems in engine and battery compartments, and seating. |
Cargo Tanks | Retest requirements, cargo tank authorization, manhole covers, internal valves, discharge valves, cargo tank integrity, supports and anchoring, double bulkhead drains, ring stiffeners, rear end protection, emergency flow control, piping and protection, overturn protection, and venting. |
When You Won't Get a CVSA Decal
If an inspector discovers critical violations, no decal is issued – even if the vehicle is allowed to proceed on its trip. Most OOSC violations directly result in a vehicle being placed out of service until the violation is corrected. But that's not always the case. For example, brake system defects are a critical violation, which will prevent you from getting a decal. However, defective brakes usually only constitute an out-of-service violation when at least 20% of your total required brakes are in defective condition.
Other reasons you may not receive a CVSA decal include:
Administrative violations, such as not having an active USDOT number/safety registration.
No operating authority or operating beyond the scope of the authority.
Operating while having an OOS designation.
Less than 20% of brakes are inspected – this results in the inspection type being downgraded to a Level II inspection, which is not eligible for a decal.
How Long Is a CVSA Decal Good For?
Once you've passed inspection and received a CVSA decal, it's valid for up to three months. The three months include the calendar month in which the inspection took place, plus the next two calendar months. For example, if you pass your inspection on May 15, the decal would be valid for May, June, and July only. At the end of the third month, the decal expires.
CVSA Decals vs. Vehicle Reinspection
When you have an active decal, your vehicle is usually not subject to additional CVSA inspections during the three-month period. However, nothing about a decal prevents reinspection. In fact, there are two scenarios in which reinspection is more likely to occur:
The vehicle has easily visible OOS violations, which are considered imminent safety hazards.
The vehicle is selected for a Level IV (special) or Level VII (jurisdictional) inspection. For example, inspections during CVSA's annual Brake Safety Week are considered Level IV "special" inspections, as they primarily focus on brake systems.
Where Are CVSA Decals Placed on the Vehicle?
If you pass a qualifying inspection, the inspector will typically affix the decal to the lower exterior corner of the passenger-side windshield for tractor trucks. Other vehicle types usually have the sticker placed near the front of the vehicle.
| Vehicle Type | Decal Placement (always on the exterior) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Trucks and Motor Vehicles | Bottom corner of passenger-side windshield. | ||
| Trailers and Towed Vehicles | Lower corner of passenger side as near the front as possible. | ||
| Buses and Motorcoaches | Glass portion of passenger door near inspector's eye level. | ||
| School Buses | Bottom corner of passenger-side windshield or glass portion of passenger door near inspector's eye level | ||
What Does Each CVSA Decal Signify?
Standard CVSA inspection stickers feature the CVSA logo and a number indicating the year of issuance. Its color and the way it is affixed (with removed corners) identify the month of the inspection. Each decal also has a barcode that can be read by scanners and at weigh stations. Here's what everything on a CVSA decal means:
CVSA Decal Numbers = Year Issued
At the top of the CVSA decal is a single-digit number, ranging from 0 to 9. This number is an abbreviated way to identify the year, representing the last digit in the numerical year of the recent decade. For example, a CVSA sticker with the number "5" means the inspection occurred in 2025.
CVSA Decal Colors = Season/Quarter Issued
If you pass a Level I or Level V inspection, you'll receive a CVSA decal in one of four colors. This indicates the time of the year of the inspection, based on the quarter or season in three-month intervals.
Decal Color | Months Issued | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Green | January | February | March |
Yellow | April | May | June |
Orange | July | August | September |
White | October | November | December |
CVSA Decal Removed Corners = Month Issued
To identify the specific month of the inspection, inspectors affix the CVSA decal by removing corners of the sticker in a particular configuration. This pattern identifies the first, second, or third month of the three-month quarter corresponding with the sticker color.
1st Month of Quarter: Both upper corners of the sticker are removed.
2nd Month of Quarter: Upper-right corner is removed.
3rd Month of Quarter: No corners are removed.
The actual date the inspection took place is not featured on the sticker. But the date itself isn't relevant, as CVSA uses calendar months (rather than a specific number of days) to identify whether a decal is active or expired. The sticker is only valid for the remaining month of its issue, plus the next two calendar months.
Level VI CVSA Decals (Blue Stickers)
CVSA uses a unique blue decal for vehicles that pass a Level VI inspection, which is an enhanced safety inspection for vehicles transporting transuranic waste and highway route-controlled quantities (HRCQ) of radioactive material. In addition to receiving the special blue sticker, vehicles that pass a Level VI inspection will also be issued a standard three-month CVSA sticker if one is missing or invalid.
Level VI Decal Validity
Unlike standard CVSA decals that are valid for up to three months, the blue Level VI sticker is only valid for a single trip. Level VI inspections are conducted at the vehicle's point of origin, and drivers must remove the sticker upon completion of their trip. If there are any equipment changes while en route, the decal is no longer valid, and the vehicle combination must be reinspected before travelling.
Level VI Decal Design and Placement
Blue Level VI decals feature a distinct design from standard CVSA stickers and utilize a hole-punch method to indicate the year, month, and date of inspection. Inspectors also affix these blue stickers at the top of the passenger-side windshield while standard CVSA stickers are affixed in the bottom corner.
FAQ: Common Questions About CVSA Decals
Does a CVSA decal exempt you from inspections?
A CVSA sticker does not prevent you from being inspected. However, it's not common for a vehicle to be reinspected during the three-month timeframe. Whether or not the vehicle undergoes reinspection is ultimately at the discretion of the inspector or certified law enforcement agent. If the inspector can easily see a critical violation, they are more likely to flag the vehicle for reinspection.
Are vehicles and trailers inspected separately?
Vehicle combinations, such as a truck and trailer, are typically inspected as a single unit. Many out-of-service (OOS) violations are related to how well the vehicles are connected, including components like brake lines and the fifth wheel hitch. However, standard CVSA decals are issued separately for each vehicle or trailer in the combination. This means that one vehicle in the combination may pass inspection and receive a decal, while the other vehicle may be placed out of service.
Do CVSA decals apply to drivers?
CVSA decals apply to the vehicle or vehicle combination only, regardless of whether the driver passes or fails their portion of a Level I inspection. This means inspectors may issue a CVSA decal for a vehicle even if its driver receives an out-of-service violation. Additionally, it means drivers are still subject to Level III (driver-only) inspections while the vehicle's sticker is valid.
Do all CVSA inspection types have decals?
You can only receive a CVSA decal when your vehicle passes a Level I, Level V, or Level VI inspection, all of which entail a comprehensive inspection of the vehicle and critical safety components. However, some areas may issue a non-CVSA, jurisdiction-specific decal for a completed Level VII inspection.
Does a CVSA sticker last for 90 days?
CVSA decals are valid for up to three calendar months, starting with the month of the inspection, not the day/date of the inspection. If you get your decal in the middle or at the end of the month, it still counts as one whole month for the sticker's validity. This means most decals, once issued, last between 60 and 90 days.