Question about what does the region code mean? 017 on car license plates, often arises among road users and car enthusiasts interested in the history of Russian car numbering. This three-digit digital code, which could be found on the roads of Moscow and the Moscow region in the past, today is no longer issued for registration of new vehicles by individuals, which makes it a kind of rarity. Understanding the origin of this code helps to understand the administrative-territorial division of the past and the system of number distribution in the structure of law enforcement agencies.
Initially code 017 was assigned to the traffic police of the Moscow region, but in the process of reforming the vehicle registration system and introducing new series, it came under the jurisdiction of federal structures. Many drivers mistakenly believe that the presence of such a number on a car automatically indicates that the car belongs to special services or the highest echelons of power, but the real history of its use is much more complex and interesting. In this material we will analyze in detail the legal status, history of appearance and current meaning of this numerical combination.
It is worth noting that the visual perception of a number with code 017 often causes increased attention from other road users. Special Series numbers have always been the subject of close monitoring, and 017 was no exception. However, it is important to distinguish the real powers of the owners of such cars from common myths that often become legends on the Internet and in automotive circles.
Historical background and origin of code 017
History of the region code 017 goes back to the period of the late 1990s, when a new vehicle registration system was actively introduced in Russia. Initially, this code was assigned to the Traffic Police Department for the Moscow Region. At that time, the Moscow region experienced an acute shortage of free combinations in the main code 50, which required the introduction of additional regional identifiers to register the growing fleet of vehicles.
In the early 2000s, a significant reorganization took place in the structure of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which also affected the distribution of license plates. Code 017, along with codes 099 and 177, was placed at the disposal of the central apparatus of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and units ensuring road safety at the federal level. This was a turning point, after which the “civil” registration of cars with this code in the Moscow region ceased.
- 🚓 Initial purpose: The code was intended for mass registration of passenger cars of residents of the Moscow region.
- 🔄 Redistribution: During the administrative reform, the code was removed from the regional pool and transferred to federal structures.
- 📉 Decrease in issuances: By the mid-2000s, the issuance of numbers with code 017 for ordinary citizens was almost completely stopped.
It is important to understand that the transfer of the code to the jurisdiction of federal structures does not mean that all cars with this number belong to the special services. On the roads you can still find cars that were registered during the transition period or passed down by inheritance, retaining their original license plates. However, new registrations with this code for private individuals are no longer made, which makes each such car a unique specimen from the point of view of numerology.
Who owns cars with code 017 today?
Currently, vehicles with license plates containing a region code 017, are mainly located in the fleets of divisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. Most often, such numbers can be found on official vehicles of the traffic police, traffic police and other operational services subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This is explained by the fact that the code was reserved specifically for the needs of the agency ensuring road safety.
However, there is a category of private cars that have retained these numbers. The owners of such cars can be people who registered the car in that short period when the code was still issued to civilians, or those who purchased a car with an already established number and kept it during re-registration. According to the law, the owner has the right to retain license plate when selling a car, if it meets modern standards (has a region code and a Russian flag).
⚠️ Attention: Meeting a car with code 017 on the road does not automatically give you the right to priority in traffic if special light and sound signals (flashing lights and siren) are not installed on the car. The status of the owner is determined not by the numbers on the plaque, but by the presence of the corresponding color chart and documents.
It is also worth mentioning the so-called “thieves” or “special” series, which could be combined with code 017. At different periods of time, there were unspoken rules for the distribution of certain letter combinations (for example, AMP, EKH, OKO) for representatives of government agencies. Although code 017 is not the most “elite” compared to 001 or 002, the combination of certain letters and this code could indicate that the car belongs to the control apparatus of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Legal status and operating rules
From a legal point of view, a vehicle with a region code 017 is subject to the same traffic rules as any other vehicle unless it is equipped with special signals. The presence of such a number does not give the driver immunity from fines or special rights on the road. When checking documents, police officers are guided by database data, and not by the appearance of the license plate.
For owners of such cars, there are certain nuances when undergoing a technical inspection and obtaining an insurance policy. OSAGO. Since the code is rare and historically associated with government agencies, sometimes questions may arise from insurance agents or maintenance operators, but legally this is an ordinary civilian number (if the car is not listed on the department’s balance sheet). It is important to have with you a complete package of documents confirming ownership.
If a license plate with code 017 is lost or damaged, it will be extremely difficult, and often impossible, to restore exactly the same combination of numbers and letters if the number was not saved by the owner in the traffic police database in advance. You will have to get a new number, most likely with a different area code, current at the time of your request.
If you own a car with a rare region code, take a high-quality photo of the license plate and registration certificate (SRC) and store them in the cloud. This will help in case of loss of documents or disputes with the traffic police.
Differences from other special area codes
Code 017 is often confused with other three-digit codes used in Moscow and the Moscow region, such as 099, 177, 777 or 999. The main difference lies in the history of origin and current distribution. If the series codes 77, 97, 99, 177, 199, 277, 777, 799, 977, 999 refer to Moscow, then 017 historically gravitates towards the structure of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Moscow region, although the geography of their use is now limited to the capital region.
Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of code 017 with other common codes in the Moscow region:
| Region code | Territory | Current issue status | Primary user |
|---|---|---|---|
| 017 | Moscow / Moscow Region (MVD) | Not issued to civilians | Ministry of Internal Affairs, old cars |
| 077 | Moscow | Actively issued | Individuals, business |
| 099 | Moscow | Limited / Ministry of Internal Affairs | Ministry of Internal Affairs, FSB, private owners |
| 177 | Moscow | Actively issued | Private individuals |
Analyzing the table, you can see that issue status is the key difference. While codes 077 and 177 continue to go on sale en masse and are issued when registering new cars, 017 remains closed to free circulation, which increases its “collectible” value in the eyes of car enthusiasts.
Myths and reality about “flashing lights” on 017
There are many myths around numbers with code 017, as well as around any paraphernalia of law enforcement agencies. One of the most common states that any car with this number has the right to be included special signal (flashing lights). The reality is that the color scheme is installed only on emergency services vehicles currently in service, regardless of the numbers on the license plate.
Another myth claims that cameras that record violations “do not see” or ignore cars with code 017. This is not true. The complex records the violation, but the owner may not receive a fine if the car is on the balance sheet of a state organization and is used to perform official tasks that require deviation from traffic rules (with the special signal turned on). However, a private car with this number will receive a “letter of happiness” on a general basis.
The truth about “impenetrable” numbers
There is an opinion that numbers of the 017 series are protected from being punched through the databases. In fact, in open sources (for example, online services for checking fines), information about the owner is hidden by personal data, like that of any other citizen. Only authorized law enforcement officials have access to advanced information through closed communication channels.
The reality of using such numbers on the roads often depends on the human factor. Patrol officers may pay great attention to a car with an “interesting” license plate, but legally it has no privileges without the appropriate equipment and travel documents.
Procedure for saving and changing license plates
If you are the owner of a vehicle with a code 017 and want to keep it when selling the car, you need to use the service for preserving the state registration plate (SRP). This procedure is regulated by an order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and allows you to “freeze” the owner’s number for up to one year (with the possibility of extension).
To do this, you must submit an application to any registration department of the traffic police, provide the car for inspection and pay state fees. After receiving new hardware with a different code, your old 017 will be stored in the traffic police archives. When purchasing a new car, you will be able to install a saved number on it, regardless of the region of registration of the owner (within the framework of the new rules for 2020-2026).
- 📝 Statement: Submitted in any form or on a traffic police form indicating the reason for retention.
- 💰 Payment: It is required to pay for the issuance of new numbers and changes to the STS and PTS.
- 📅 Validity: The number is stored in the database for 1 year, after which it is canceled if it was not installed on the car.
⚠️ Attention: When buying a used car with code 017, be sure to check the license plate history on the traffic police website. There is a risk that the number is on the wanted list or has restrictions on registration actions, which will make it impossible to re-register it in your name.
Prospects and future of code 017
In the context of the constant growth of the vehicle fleet in Moscow and the Moscow region, the question of returning code 017 to civilian circulation is periodically raised by experts. Theoretically, if the pools of codes 777, 999 and others are exhausted, the Ministry of Internal Affairs may decide to partially return 017 for mass registration. However, at the moment no such plans have been announced, and the code remains reserved.
For collectors of automobile paraphernalia and history buffs, the number with code 017 is of particular interest. Every year there are fewer such cars due to the natural aging of the fleet and the disposal of old cars. In the future, such plates may become collectibles, like Soviet-style plates.
Region code 017 is a historical legacy of the registration system, passed from civilian car owners in the Moscow region to the structure of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and today it is almost impossible for a new owner to obtain it.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to buy a car right now with number 017?
You cannot officially buy a car with a specific number when registering with the traffic police; numbers are issued randomly. You can buy a used car that already has such a number and keep it, provided that you go through the procedure for maintaining a license plate.
Is code 017 a sign of belonging to the FSB?
No, code 017 has historically been assigned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Militia/Police) and the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate. For the FSB and other special services, other series and codes are more often used (for example, 001, 002, 003 or special series AMP, EKH in the past).
What happens if I crash a car with number 017?
If the car is destroyed (accident, theft, disposal), the license plate burns along with the car if you did not have time to deposit it with the traffic police. It will be impossible to restore this particular combination, since it will disappear from circulation.
Are there any transport tax benefits for owners of 017?
The area code itself does not provide any benefits. Transport tax benefits depend on engine power, environmental class, region of registration of the owner and his social status (pensioners, large families, disabled people), and not on the numbers on the license plate.