Decal Number On Car (Definition, Importance, Facts & Setup Guide )

Last Updated on January 19, 2023 by Leepu Da Maxim

A decal number is also known as a vehicle registration number that consists of a set of letters and numbers which are assigned by a government agency. The decal number helps to identify a vehicle for various purposes including legal and administrative purposes

Key Takeaways

  • The main purpose of a decal number is to keep track of vehicles and their owners
  • In the USA, the decal number is assigned by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or an equivalent agency
  • According to motor vehicle laws, the decal number must be displayed on the vehicle in a visible location so that it can easily be seen
  • You have to provide various documents like ownership of the car, registration papers, insurance documents, proof of identity, etc. to get the decal number for the vehicle

What is Decal Number

The decal number, also known as a VIN sticker, is a crucial identification mark for your car. The VIN is found in several places on the vehicle and if it is altered or tampered with there may be serious consequences. The VIN decal can be found on the driver’s side doorpost, dashboard, or fuel filler door. It is a sticker on the car that can be removed easily and is not related to the car’s registration number, but it is used to denote some other information.

The decal is often used as a reminder for things like tire pressure when the next oil change should be done or what car wash service they want to use. In the past, these were stuck onto a window and could be seen from inside the car and from outside of it but since this was inconvenient in some cases- due to privacy issues for example- these days they are stuck onto the front or back windscreen instead.

Some of these stickers are even made with reflective materials so that they can be seen easier at night- especially those which have more than just text on them.

Decal Number On Car

How to put a Decal Sticker on a car

Decal stickers are an inexpensive, easy way to customize your vehicle. They are often used by people who want to show off their affiliations and interests.

This Decal sticker tutorial will help you install your car decal correctly.

What you will need: Car Decal, Piece of Paper, Pencil, Ruler, Scissors.

Step 1: The first step is to find a decal sticker that you like and buy it at your favorite store.

Step 2: Put the decal sticker on a flat surface like a table or the floor.

Step 3: Peel off the clear layer from the adhesive side of the decal sticker with your fingers.

Step 4: Slowly peel off the backing paper from the adhesive side of the decal sticker and apply it to your car’s window, mirror, or bumper.

Facts of Decal Number On The Car

FactsDescription
First Two Letters
The first letters always relate to the specific model of each vehicle.
First Pair Of Numbers
The first pair of numbers signify the year of manufacture of the vehicle.
Second Pair Of NumbersThe second pair of numbers refers to the week of manufacture of the vehicle.
Six Numbers After The HyphenThe six numbers after the dash represent a unique sequential number that each vehicle has after manufacture
Main PurposeThe main purpose of this code is to more efficiently track the vehicle’s history, as well as other additional data. 
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What’s The Importance Of A Decal Number For A Vehicle?

At first, it is necessary to consider that the decal number of a vehicle is used to provide certain information quickly and easily. Here, you can find two initial letters that relate to the model of each vehicle. So, this allows us to verify what is the true authenticity of a vehicle from the factory.

In turn, these two unique letters of the serial number are accompanied by a series of numbers. The following numbers before the dash usually represent the year in which the vehicle model was manufactured. Along with this, the production week in which the vehicle was completed is also represented. This is why there are four digits before the dash.

The first pair of digits is the year of manufacture and the second pair of digits is the week of manufacture. Finally, six additional numbers are included after the dash to represent a unique sequential number. Within a given year, each vehicle built has this number so that it can be more easily identified. Thus, this serves both the manufacturer and other major organizations.

For some specific vehicle models from 1982 to the present day, there are some differences. In particular, these differences are established for the LSV, Carryall, and DS models. In this case, the serial number printed on this decal is included. A bar code is also usually included to complement the information. All of this will usually be located on the accelerator pedal.

Some club car models manufactured between 2004 and 2007 may have this information elsewhere. Here, too, a decal that includes a certain bar code is usually incorporated. In turn, this decal is incorporated on the passenger side just below the interior dashboard. 

So, those club-faced vehicles from 2008 onwards usually incorporate the same bar-coded decal near the passenger side. In particular, this decal is usually incorporated on the brake pedal above the accelerator or under the passenger side cup holder. So, this is a unique number for each vehicle that is very important when tracking vehicle history.

What Do The Stickers With Numbers On Cars Mean?

Many cars nowadays usually include different white oval decals or stickers somewhere on the bumper. In this regard, these white oval stickers usually incorporate black letters with some numbers. However, unlike the number of decals that are installed inside the vehicle these white oval stickers do not seem to make much sense.

However, this is a set of stickers that does have a certain. This type of sticker has a particular design that comes from Europe. Unlike the United States, Europe is made up of a much smaller set of countries. So, in Western Europe, it is very common for European foreigners from neighboring countries to visit any other country.

So, these decals were intended to more easily indicate the country of origin of the people in a given vehicle. In particular, it is one of the fastest methods to know the true origin of the people inside the vehicle. Since it is an efficient method of communicating information, this technique began to expand and become popular.

This great popularity reached as far as the United States where people began to implement this type of white oval stickers. Of course, many of these white oval stickers usually include letters that relate to a particular country. This happens in large quantities when tourists are the ones driving the vehicle in question.

In the same vein, a white oval sticker is often included when a person has visited a certain country. This is why many Americans often include a white oval sticker that refers to countries in Europe or other tourist locations. The same can be true for a specific region, city, or state within the United States. 

However, not only letters are usually included in this type of oval sticker. Beyond that, some numbers that have a certain meaning are also usually incorporated. When it comes to numbers it might serve as a reference for some runners. In this case, the numbers represent the distance a runner has run. 

That is why a marathon is represented with 26.2 while a half marathon can be represented with 13.1. Here, athletes who have a higher performance can incorporate a higher number in these same oval stickers. This may be the case for triathletes or other athletes who need high performance to obtain these results.

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Do Decals Damage Car Paint?

Whether it is a car number decal or other types of decals many people wonder if a decal or sticker can damage the car’s paint. Here the damage to the car paint can occur due to some factors. Beyond that, in general, decals are usually one of the protectors of the car’s paint.

Of course, a decal is not usually incorporated to be able to protect the car paint. So, the unexpected result is a kind of paper that can protect the car’s paint from direct sunlight. Many people decide to use permanent decals rather than just temporary decals. So, this decision happens when people notice the results after removing the temporary decals.

Thus, using temporary decals on the painted surface of a vehicle is usually not a good idea according to some experts. Compared to the exposed parts of the paint, the paint just below the decal can retain some glossy and original appearance. In particular, the glossy appearance of paintwork can be maintained for much longer due to the extra layer of protection.

To prevent a painted bumper from being faded in a short time, a decal is often incorporated. So, this allows the paintwork to stay looking like new for much longer. At the same time, decals do not usually affect or cause damage to the vehicle’s paint layers. In this case, there are some exceptions when it comes to car paint with a too low quality.

Specifically, the acrylic adhesives that the decals have do not cause any damage to the particular chemistry of the paint. So, while there is some chance of a sticker damaging the paint, it is an extremely low probability.

When you find damage to the paint on your vehicle, you will know it is very low-quality paint. So, to remove a decal or sticker easily, there are a few quick steps to follow

1. Apply Heat: One of the simplest methods to remove a sticker is to apply heat to the surface. Here, you can simply use a piece of chewing gum or a hairdryer to incorporate some heat. In this way, simply the glue underneath the sticker will begin to loosen and lose adhesion. Once the car sticker is loose enough you can proceed to remove it.

2. Removing Residue: A decal or sticker that has been on the surface of a vehicle for a long time may leave some residue. Here, it is simply necessary to have a glue remover that is usually available in several places. So, a visit to a home improvement store or hardware store will be more than enough.

3. Clean The Area: Once you have used the glue remover, you should allow the glue remover to work for a few minutes. When you have waited long enough, you can use some paper towels to wipe up any debris left in the area. If you have not achieved the proper results, you can simply repeat the whole procedure as many times as you need.

Factors That Diminish The Decal’s Lifespan

1. Sun: It is the main factor that can diminish the useful life of a decal as well as the car’s paint. Even vinyl or low-quality decals can deteriorate very quickly in direct sunlight.

2. Rain: Specifically, here we must mention the chemicals that can be found in the rain. This situation is very common in big cities where rain can be somewhat polluting.

3. Saltwater: Undoubtedly, saltwater decreases the useful life of a car decal if it does not have a resistant laminate. Beyond that, it is not a big concern for people who live far from the ocean.

References:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/license-plates-decals-and-placards/decals-and-placards/

https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/decal