A QR code on a vehicle is worth printing on parked vans, on the rear of a delivery truck that stops often, or on a taxi's passenger-facing seatback, and not on the back of a moving car. People scan from a standstill. Design for the moment the vehicle is parked, queued or loading, and keep the code off any surface a following driver is meant to read.
Which vehicle placements actually get scanned?
| Placement | Who scans | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Side of a parked service van | Pedestrians, neighbours | Good, especially for tradespeople |
| Delivery truck at a loading bay | Staff, passers-by | Good when parked often |
| Taxi or rideshare seatback | Passengers | Very good, long dwell time |
| Food truck serving window | Queue | Very good: menu, order, tip |
| Rear of a moving vehicle | Drivers behind | Poor and unsafe |
How big should a vehicle code be?
Use the ten-to-one rule of thumb: scanning distance is about ten times code width. A parked van scanned from two metres needs about 20 cm. A seatback scanned at arm's length is fine at 6 to 8 cm. Curved panels, door seams and rivets distort the pattern, so mount the code on a flat section and keep it clear of handles and wheel arches.
What materials and finish should you use?
- Use cast vinyl or a printed magnetic sign rated for outdoor use. Magnets suit contractors who use personal vehicles for work.
- Laminate with a matt finish. Gloss laminate reflects sunlight and headlights off the code.
- Print dark modules on a light block. A code printed directly on dark paint or a busy wrap loses contrast; see the colour guide.
- Export vector artwork. A wrap shop will enlarge the file, so supply SVG.
- Plan for wear. Dirt, road film and UV fade vinyl. Include a damage-tolerant error-correction setting and a replacement schedule; see error correction.
What should a vehicle code open?
For a tradesperson, a booking or quote page with a tap-to-call button. For a delivery fleet, a branded page with driver details or customer service. For a taxi, a rating or tipping page. Use a dynamic QR code: one code printed on the vehicle can be repointed when you change phone number, offer or vendor, and the printed vinyl can stay on for years.
Is it safe and legal?
Do not design the code or its call to action to be read by someone driving. Many jurisdictions restrict handheld phone use at the wheel, and a code that tempts drivers to scan reflects badly on the business. Check local advertising and vehicle-livery rules, and tell fleet drivers the code is for pedestrians and passengers.
Related: billboards, QR codes for automotive, all placements, QR code tracking.