A Guide To Proper NY HUT Sticker Placement

As a carrier, you likely have various stickers you must place on your fleet. If you operate in New York State, this will likely include a NY Highway Usage Tax sticker. While needing the sticker isn't usually an issue, some regulations require that commercial vehicle operators place the decals in specific areas. 

What constitutes proper NY HUT sticker placement? Should you know about any other topics regarding the Highway Use Tax (HUT) decal? FMCA Filings offers pertinent insight into where to place the sticker and how to use it below. 

What Is a NY HUT Sticker?

Some states imparted a Highway Use Tax for truckers using their highway infrastructures. The tax helps pay for road maintenance and repairs, keeping the highways safe. A state HUT sticker signifies that the vehicle can lawfully use state highways since the carrier paid the required fees. 

In 2013, the New York Department of Taxation and Finance began requiring all commercial vehicles using state highways to have a certified decal affixed to the vehicle body. Carriers obtain these decals by paying highway taxes. Then, they'll receive their HUT stickers. 

Why Are NY HUT Stickers Required?

HUT fees help state governments manage their frequently used highways, keeping them safe and better maintained. Many carriers use NY highways to pick up and drop off loads to warehouses and other buildings within the state. They may also use highways to reach other states or the Canadian border. Therefore, the state government requires that carriers assist their efforts via periodic tax payments. The NY HUT stickers verify that carriers paid the taxes required to lawfully use the roadways. They visually demonstrate trucker validation to trucking and legal authorities.  

Who Needs a NY HUT Sticker?

Any vehicle weighing more than 18,000 pounds needs a NY HUT sticker, including tractor-trailers and commercial trucks. Official documents detailing the requirements do not specify an axle weight. The sticker serves as a certificate of registration, demonstrating the driver’s or carrier’s compliance with state laws. 

NY HUT Sticker Placement Requirements

Are there any NY HUT sticker placement requirements? The FMCSA does not specify any particular location for such decals. According to its specifications, a driver may place the sticker anywhere on the truck’s body. However, the driver must readily and promptly show the sticker to any inspecting authority who wants to check it. 

The driver should also ensure that the sticker sustains as little damage as possible. This ensures the decal’s legibility throughout its use.

Although the FMCSA doesn’t have strict requirements, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has a few placement recommendations: 

• For trailers, trucks, and other motorized vehicles: Place the sticker on the vehicle’s body, as close to the front license plate as possible.
• For trailers containing automotive fuel: Place the sticker on the body, as close to the back license plate as possible. 

Both guidelines suggest operators use a bumper to display the sticker. You should feature the sticker as prominently as possible, making it easily viewable by transportation authorities.  

Do NY HUT Stickers Have Any Limitations?

NY HUT stickers do have a few limitations. For example, you may not transfer or sell your decal to another party. The sticker must stay with its assigned vehicle until its expiration date. You might also surrender your decals under the following circumstances:

• Your decaled vehicle becomes exempt from the decal requirements
• The Tax Department revokes your certificate of registration for any reason
• You total or otherwise permanently remove a vehicle from service
• You forfeit ownership of the vehicle through sale, transference, or business shifts

If you enter the above situations, you must surrender your NY HUT sticker within the next five business days to the proper authorities. 

What Happens if You Don’t Have a Sticker?

If your vehicles operate on New York highways without the required decals, you could incur severe penalties, including:

• Certificate suspense, denial, or revocation
• Inability to legally operate commercial vehicles in New York
• Vehicle seizure
• Auctioning of seized vehicles to satisfy outstanding HUT balances

Protect your fleet by proactively procuring NY HUT stickers and paying all associated tax fees. 

Can You Replace Lost or Damaged Stickers?

You can and should replace any lost or damaged stickers to ensure your fleet complies with New York regulations, especially when pertinent information displayed on the sticker incurs damage. Replacement stickers are often inexpensive. Complete Form TMT-334, which covers various HUT decal replacements. Alternatively, navigate to a digital filing service and use the HUT application options. 

Comply With All State and Federal Regulations Through FMCA Filings

FMCA Filings keeps clients updated on NY HUT sticker placement requirements and other pertinent subjects. Comply with state and federal requirements through streamlined filing and permit application services. FMCA Filings makes compliance and documentation easy for truckers, carriers, and other involved parties. Learn more about the New York Highway Use Tax or chat with one of our professional agents today via our Live Chat feature!