BY code on the car number: which region of Russia and how not to confuse it with Belarus

You saw a car with a code on the road BY on the license plate and wondered: is this a Russian region or a foreign car? This question arises for many drivers, especially after changes in vehicle registration rules in 2023. Code BY is indeed used in Russia, but it is easily confused with the plates of Belarus, where a similar combination denotes the country as a whole. In this article we will analyze which region of the Russian Federation is hidden behind BY, how to distinguish Russian license plates from Belarusian ones, and why this confusion most often arises when checking a car through online services.

Since 2019, the traffic police has been actively introducing new serial combinations for license plates, and BY - one of them. However, many drivers still associate these letters exclusively with Belarus, where they have been used on license plates since the 1990s. We analyzed the current traffic police data, studied the history of the appearance of the code and prepared a checklist that will help you accurately determine the origin of the car by number - even if you see it for the first time.

What does the BY code mean on Russian license plates?

Code BY on Russian license plates indicate Republic of Buryatia - a subject of the Russian Federation located in Eastern Siberia. This is the official designation enshrined in the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 399 of 2018. Buryatia began using this code in 2019, when the region ran out of combinations with the previous designation - 03 (region code in old format).

It is important to understand that BY - these are not just random letters, but part of the new encoding system that the traffic police is introducing to expand the possible combinations of numbers. Previously, numbers with a digital code were used in Buryatia 03, but after the exhaustion of free combinations (and there were only 1,726,272 of them in the old format), it was necessary to switch to letter designations. Now in the region they issue numbers with series BY, 103 (alternate code) and 703 (for motorcycles).

• 📍 Region: Republic of Buryatia (capital - Ulan-Ude)
• 🗺️ Federal District: Siberian
• 🚗 Alternative codes: 03, 103, 703 (for motorcycles)
• 📅 BY introduction date: 2019

Interesting fact: Buryatia became one of the first regions to switch to letter designations after the exhaustion of digital codes. This is due to the region’s high vehicle fleet—there are about 300 cars per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the Russian average. If you see a number with BY and the Russian flag, this is guaranteed to be a car from Buryatia.

How to distinguish Russian BY from Belarusian?

The main problem with the code BY — its coincidence with the international designation of Belarus. These letters are also present on Belarusian license plates, but there are key differences that will help you avoid making mistakes:

1. Flag and inscription. On Russian license plates there is a flag of the Russian Federation and the inscription on the left RUS, in Belarusian - the flag of Belarus and BY in ovale.
2. Number format. Belarusian numbers have a structure 1234 AB 5 (4 numbers, 2 letters, 1 region number), Russian - A 123 BC 103 (1 letter, 3 numbers, 2 letters, region code).
3. Background color. In Belarus, starting from 2026, numbers with gradient background (blue-green), while Russian ones remain monochromatic (white, yellow or black).
4. Regional code. On Belarusian license plates, after the letters there is a region number (for example, 1 — Minsk, 2 - Brest region), in Russian - region code (BY, 103 etc.) is indicated on the right.

If you see a number with BY on a foreign car (for example, Volkswagen or Skoda with European headlights), most likely this is Belarus. Russian numbers with BY found mainly on domestic cars (Lada, UAZ) or used foreign cars from Japan/Korea, popular in Siberia.

Example of a Belarusian number

Photo of a Belarusian license plate with the code BY: black symbols on a white background, on the left is the flag of Belarus in the ovale, on the right is the number “1” (Minsk). Format: 1234 AB 1.

The history of the appearance of the BY code in Russia

Transition of Buryatia to a letter code BY became part of a large-scale reform of the traffic police, which began in 2013. Then the department was faced with a problem: in most regions, free combinations of numbers with digital codes were running out. For example, in Moscow (77, 97, 99, 177, 197) and Moscow region (50, 90, 150, 190) letter additions were already used then.

In 2018, the Ministry of Internal Affairs approved a new procedure for generating numbers, where regions received the right to use:

• 🔢 Digital codes (for example, 03 for Buryatia)
• 🔤 Letter codes (for example, BY, AM for the Amur region)
• 🔢🔢 Three-digit codes (for example, 103, 703)

Buryatia became one of the pioneers of the new system. First numbers with BY appeared in 2019, and by 2021 they completely replaced the old combinations with 03. Today the following types of numbers are issued in the region:

Vehicle type	Number format	Example	Region code
Passenger cars	A 123 BC	X 728 BY	BY or 103
Trucks	AB 123 03	BT 456 103	103
Motorcycles	1234 AB	5678 BY	703
Trailers	AB 123	BY 456	BY

It is curious that the choice of letters BY is not accidental: they coincide with the abbreviation of the republic in English - Buryatia. This makes it easier to identify the region internationally, although it creates confusion with Belarus.

Why does BY code raise so many questions?

The main reason for the confusion is dual use combinations BY:

1. In Russia — region code (Buryatia).
2. In Belarus — country code (analogue RUS or USA).

The situation is aggravated by three factors:

⚠️ Attention: Online car inspection services (for example, Autocode or GIBDD.rf) often mistakenly identify Russian license plates with BY like Belarusian ones. This is due to the fact that databases are not always promptly updated after changing number formats.

• 🌍 International travel. Belarusian cars with code BY They often travel around Russia, especially in the border regions (Smolensk, Pskov regions). This teaches drivers to associate BY exclusively with Belarus.
• 📱 Errors in mobile applications. Many license plate recognition programs (for example, Traffic police fines) do not distinguish between Russian and Belarusian BY, which results in incorrect "foreign car" notifications.
• 📰 Outdated data in the media. Even some auto publications still publish regional tables indicating BY = Belarus, ignoring changes in the Russian system.

To avoid mistakes, always pay attention to flag and number format. If you see RUS and Russian symbols - this is Buryatia. If only BY in ovale - Belarus. You can also use the official traffic police service for checking license plates: traffic police.rf/check/auto.

Current traffic police rules for numbers with BY (2026)

Since January 1, 2026, updated rules for vehicle registration have been in force in Russia, which also apply to numbers with the code BY. Here are the key points:

• 🔄 Replacement of numbers upon change of owner. Now, when selling a car in Buryatia, it is not necessary to change the license plates if the new owner is also registered in the region. Previously, this was required to be done within 10 days.
• 📄 Electronic PTS. Since 2023, only electronic vehicle passports have been issued in Buryatia, but the old paper ones remain valid. Rooms with BY can be linked to both types of documents.
• 🚛 New formats for commercial vehicles. Trucks and buses in Buryatia now receive numbers with a code 103 instead of BYto avoid confusion on international routes.
• 🔍 Check through State Services. Information about the number with BY can be obtained through the portal Public services (section "Transport and driving"), but this will require a verified account.

⚠️ Attention: If you are buying a used car with license plates BY, be sure to check the history via traffic police.rf or Autocode. In Buryatia there is a high percentage of cars with a “problematic” history (accidents, liens), since the region actively trades with Mongolia and China.

It is also worth knowing that since 2026 in Buryatia there has been a pilot project for issuing numbers with QR code, which contains data about the vehicle. For now this is a voluntary option, but by 2026 it is planned to make it mandatory for all new numbers.

Frequent mistakes when identifying numbers with BY

Even experienced drivers sometimes make mistakes when determining the origin of a car by its license plate number. BY. Here are the most common misconceptions and how to avoid them:

Error	Why does it occur	How to check correctly
Confused with Belarus	Same code BY, but different number format	Look at the flag and location of the area code
They think that BY - this is Bashkortostan	Bashkortostan has codes 02, 102, RB	Check through the traffic police service by number
They believe that BY — temporary number	Temporary license plates in Russia have a red background	BY on a white/yellow background - permanent number
Confused with code VU (Vladimir region)	The letters are similar, but VU - this is 33 region	Pay attention to the second letter: Y vs U

Another common mistake is ignoring number colors. In Russia:

• 🟡 Yellow numbers — commercial transport (taxi, trucks).
• ⚫ Black numbers — vintage cars (over 30 years old).
• ⚪ White numbers - private passenger cars.

If you see a number with BY on a black background, this is not Belarus, but a retro car from Buryatia. Such cars often participate in rallies or exhibitions, so they can be found even in the European part of Russia.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about the BY code

Is it possible to travel with a BY number throughout Russia without restrictions?

Yes, number with code BY (Buryatia) gives the right to travel throughout the entire territory of the Russian Federation without any restrictions. This is a full-fledged Russian number, not a temporary or transit one. However, in some regions (for example, Moscow, St. Petersburg) there may be local restrictions for non-resident cars (platon, environmental zones), but they are not related to the region code.

What should I do if the service identifies my BY number as Belarusian?

Contact the service support with a photo of the number and indicate that this is a Russian number from Buryatia. Most platforms (eg. Autocode) promptly correct such errors. You can also attach a screenshot from the official traffic police service (traffic police.rf/check/auto), where the region will be indicated Republic of Buryatia.

Can numbers with code 03 be issued in Buryatia after the introduction of BY?

No, from 2021 in Buryatia the issuance of numbers with codes has been completely stopped 03. All new numbers have codes BY, 103 or 703. However, cars with old license plates (03) remain on the roads - they are not required to be replaced.

What is the fine for faking a number with BY?

Counterfeiting or altering a license plate (including replacing letters BY to other characters) qualifies under Art. 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation and entails:

• 💰 Fine 2,500–5,000 rubles (for individuals).
• 🚫 Deprivation of rights to 1–3 months (in case of repeated violation).
• 🔧 Confiscation of numbers.

If you bought a car with suspicious license plates, immediately check them through traffic police.rf — the registration history is displayed there.

Is it possible to order a beautiful room with BY in Buryatia?

Yes, in Buryatia there is a system for ordering beautiful (preferred) rooms through the portal Public services. Cost:

• 💵 3,000 rubles - a number with repeating digits (for example, A 777 BC).
• 💵 10,000 rubles — a number with a unique combination (for example, B 007 BY).
• 💵 15,000 rubles — a number with specified letters/numbers (if the combination is free).

The application can be submitted remotely, but you must obtain the number in person at the MREO of Buryatia.