Phrase “no car without boarding” went viral after a story with a blogger Diman Bryukhanov, whose Mercedes-AMG G63 was detained by traffic police officers due to lack of registration in the database. The situation has caused heated discussions: some support the rigidity of the law, others accuse the system of bureaucracy. But the legal side of the issue remains unchanged - Driving an unregistered car is fraught not only with fines, but also with confiscation.

In this article we will look at: 1. What happened to Bryukhanov and why was his car seized? 2. What fines are there for driving without registration in 2026? 3. How to properly register a car after purchase to avoid problems? 4. Is it possible to travel with transit plates and how long are they valid? 5. What to do if you bought a car with a “problematic” registration history?

Spoiler: even if you are a star TikTok or YouTube, the laws of the Russian Federation on vehicle registration work the same for everyone. And the story of Bryukhanov is a vivid example of how Ignorance of the nuances can result in the loss of a car worth millions of rubles.

📊 How do you feel about the seizure of a car for lack of registration?
I fully support - the law is the same for everyone
Too harsh, need to be given a chance to fix it
Depends on the situation (for example, if the car was recently purchased)
This is bureaucracy that interferes with the owners

1. The case of Diman Bryukhanov: chronology and reasons for the seizure of the Mercedes-AMG G63

The incident occurred in Moscow at the beginning of 2026. Diman Bryukhanov, a famous blogger with a multimillion-dollar audience, published a video where traffic police officers stop him Mercedes-AMG G63 (estimated value - ~20 million rubles) and report the need for seizure. Reason - the car was not listed in the register of registered vehicles.

According to Bryukhanov, the car was purchased abroad and imported into Russia legally, but the registration procedure has not been completed. The traffic police classified this as a violation clause 1 art. 12.1 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (“Driving a vehicle not registered in accordance with the established procedure”). As a result:

  • 📋 The car was evacuated to impound lot.
  • 💰 The blogger faces a fine from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles (for individuals).
  • ⚖️ Possible confiscation of the vehicle upon repeated violation.
  • 📹 The situation received wide resonance, fueled by publications on social networks.

An important nuance: Bryukhanov claimed that the car was on transit numbers, but they have expired. This is the key point - transit numbers give only 20 days for registration, and their delay is equivalent to driving without registration.

⚠️ Attention: If you are purchasing a vehicle overseas or from a deferred registration dealer, The 20-day countdown begins from the moment you receive transit numbers. Even if the car is in the garage, the deadline does not stop!

2. Fines for driving without registration in 2026

The punishment for driving an unregistered car is regulated Art. 12.1 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The amount of fines depends on the status of the offender and the circumstances:

Violator category Fine (rub.) Additional measures
Individual (first offense) 5 000 — 10 000 Evacuation to impound lot
Individual (repeated violation) 15 000 — 30 000 Confiscation of a vehicle or deprivation of rights for 1–3 months
Legal entity 50 000 — 100 000 Confiscation of numbers, ban on operation
Driving with expired transit license plates 1 500 — 2 000 Penalty parking if the period of delay is > 20 days

In addition to fines, the owner bears additional costs:

  • 🚛 Evacuation — from 3,000 to 10,000 rubles (depending on the region).
  • 📄 Storage in an impound lot — ~1,000 rubles/day.
  • ⏳ Wasting time for document recovery and legal proceedings.

Case study: in 2023 St. Petersburg owner Porsche Cayenne paid 78,000 rubles for 10 days of storage in an impound lot + a fine of 10,000 rubles for lack of registration. And this does not include the services of a lawyer!

💡

If your car has been towed, don’t delay paying the fine and ransom — each day of storage increases the amount. In some regions (for example, Moscow), after 30 days of non-purchase, the car can be sold at auction.

3. How to register a car correctly: step-by-step instructions

To avoid problems like Bryukhanov, follow algorithm for vehicle registration in the traffic police. Since 2026, the procedure has been simplified, but key points remain:

☑️ Documents for registration

Done: 0 / 6

Step 1. Preparing documents

Check:

  • 📄 PTS - must be without corrections, with the seller’s seal.
  • 🔍 VIN number — check it with the data in the PTS and on the body.
  • 💳 OSAGO — the policy must be issued to the new owner.

Step 2. Payment of state duty

Cost in 2026:

  • 🪪 Vehicle registration — 2,000 rubles (electronic queue — 1,400 rubles).
  • 🚗 License plates — 2,000 rubles (if you need new ones).
  • 📝 Making changes to the PTS - 800 rubles.

You can pay at traffic police website or through Public services (there is a 30% discount there).

Step 3. Sign up for registration

Methods:

  • 🖥️ Via Public services (fastest option).
  • 📞 Call the traffic police hotline.
  • 🏛️ In person at the MREO (but be prepared for queues).

Step 4. Inspection and receipt of documents

On the day of the visit:

  1. Present the documents to the inspector.
  2. Pass car inspection (they will check VIN, body numbers, lighting equipment).
  3. Get STS (registration certificate) and numbers.
What do they check during inspection at the traffic police?

The inspector checks:

- Match the VIN number in the PTS and on the body.

- Availability of mandatory equipment (fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangle).

- Operability of lights and windshield wipers.

- Lack of tinting above the permissible norm (light transmission of the front windows is at least 70%).

4. Transit numbers: how long they are valid and how not to expire

Transit numbers are issued when:

  • 🚗 Buying a car from a dealer or a private person (if the new owner cannot immediately register the car).
  • 🌍 Importing cars from abroad.
  • 🔄 Driving a vehicle to another region for registration.

Transit numbers are valid for 20 days. It cannot be extended! If during this time you did not manage to register the car, you will have to:

  1. Pay a fine for late payment (1,500–2,000 rubles).
  2. Submit transit license plates to the traffic police.
  3. Issue new transit license plates (if a deferment is needed) or register the car permanently.

Example: if you bought a car on June 1, then before June 20 (required) complete registration. On June 21, driving with transit license plates is already considered a violation.

⚠️ Attention: Transit numbers do not give the right to drive without compulsory motor insurance! Insurance must be taken out immediately after purchase, even if the car is not yet registered.

5. Buying a car with a “problematic” history: how to check and what to do

If you buy a used car, the risk of running into problems with registration increases. Typical issues:

  • 🔍 Car as collateral — the bank may prohibit re-registration.
  • 🚨 Theft or traffic police restrictions (for example, for unpaid fines of the previous owner).
  • 📄 Fake documents (PTS, purchase and sale agreement).

How to check a car before buying:

  1. Request extract from the register of pledges on the website FNP.
  2. Check the history by VIN code through services Autocode, CarVertical or traffic police.
  3. Make sure engine and body numbers coincide with PTS.
  4. Check if there is restrictions on registration actions on the website traffic police.

If you have already bought a car with problems:

  • 📞 Contact to the previous owner to resolve the issue (for example, removing the pledge).
  • ⚖️ If the seller refuses to help, give lawsuit on declaring the transaction invalid.
  • 🔄 As a last resort, you can try recycle car and receive compensation under the program “We rent out a car and get a discount” (if it works in your region).
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Buying a car always get a receipt from the seller that he deregistered the car and has no complaints. This will help in court if problems arise.

6. Is it possible to drive without registration: myths and reality

There are a lot of “life hacks” floating around on the Internet on how to bypass registration. Let's look at the most popular ones:

Myth Reality
“You can drive for 10 days without registration after purchase” ❌ No. This deadline has been canceled since 2013. You need to register your car before the first trip.
“Transit numbers can be extended” ❌ No. 20 days is the maximum period. Extension is not provided.
“If you only drive in yards, there will be no fine” ❌ No. Any movement on public roads (including yards) requires registration.
“You can register a car in the name of a relative and drive yourself” ⚠️ Technically possible, but when stopped, the traffic police will require proof of relationship. If you are not included in the compulsory motor liability insurance policy, the fine is 500 rubles.

The only legal way to travel without permanent registration is transit numbers, but they are valid for only 20 days. All other “workarounds” are fraught with fines or confiscation of the car.

Example from judicial practice: in 2023 in Rostov-on-Don the court confiscated Land Rover Defender from an owner who drove without registration for more than a year, citing “temporary difficulties.” The argument did not work - the car was sold at auction.

7. What to do if your car has already been seized

If your car was towed for lack of registration, follow the algorithm:

  1. Specify the reason for withdrawal (call the traffic police or check on the website traffic police.rf).
  2. Pay the fine (you can get a 50% discount for 20 days).
  3. Collect documents for ransom:
    • Passport.
    • PTS.
    • Receipts for payment of fines and storage.
    • OSAGO policy.
  • Come to the impound lot during business hours (usually from 9:00 to 18:00).
  • After the purchase, register immediately - otherwise you risk running into repeated seizure.

    • If you consider the seizure illegal (for example, the car was towed from the local area), you can:

    • 📝 Write complaint to the traffic police (within 10 days).
    • ⚖️ Challenge the decision in court (evidence will be required - video, witness statements).
    ⚠️ Attention: If the car is seized Part 1.1 Art. 27.13 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (in case of repeated violation), it can only be returned through the court. In this case it is better to hire car lawyer.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about car registration

    ❓ Is it possible to drive a new car without license plates if it was just purchased at a dealership?

    No. Even if the car is new, it must be registered with the traffic police before the first trip. Dealers usually help with obtaining transit license plates or immediately register the car.

    ❓ How long does it take to register a car after purchase?

    Since 2013 the 10 day deadline has been canceled. You need to register your car before start of operation. If you are already driving, this is a violation.

    ❓ What happens if you buy a car with expired transit license plates?

    You automatically become a violator. Need:

    1. Pay a fine for late payment (1,500–2,000 rubles).
    2. Hand over your old transit license plates to the traffic police.
    3. Issue new transit license plates or register your car permanently.
    ❓ Is it possible to register a car for another person and drive it yourself?

    Technically yes, but:

    • You need to be included in OSAGO policy.
    • When stopped, the traffic police may require proof of relationship or a power of attorney.
    • If the car is mortgaged or has restrictions, the problems will fall on the “nominal” owner.
    ❓ How to check if a car is wanted or under arrest?

    Methods:

    • Request extract from the register of pledges (FNP).
    • Check on the website traffic police in the "Vehicle Check" section.
    • Use paid services (Autocode, CarVertical) to check the history.