Selling a car is often accompanied by a desire to keep the usual license plates - whether due to aesthetic preferences, superstitions or practical considerations (for example, if the number is tied to a payment or parking system). In 2026, the procedure for saving numbers remains relevant, but requires a clear understanding of the legal nuances and sequence of actions. Without proper preparation, you risk losing your numbers forever or facing fines for violating regulations.
In this article we will analyze all stages of the process — from collecting documents to re-registering license plates for a new car, and we will also consider features for legal entities, deadlines and possible pitfalls. We will pay special attention to changes in legislation that came into force on January 1, 2026 and affected the procedure for preserving license plates in transactions with used cars.
Important: the information in the article is relevant for individuals and legal entities on the territory of the Russian Federation, but does not apply to vehicles registered in other countries or having diplomatic/special plates.
1. Legislative framework: what does the traffic police say in 2026
The procedure for preserving state registration plates (SRP) is regulated by By Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 605 of June 26, 2018 (as amended in 2026) and Federal Law No. 283-FZ "On state registration of vehicles." Key points:
- 📜 Right to keep numbers has the owner of the vehicle (vehicle), who deregisters it for sale, disposal or temporary cessation of operation.
- 🔄 Numbers can be saved only subject to their current registration - if they are lost, damaged or cancelled, the procedure is impossible.
- ⏳ The storage period for license plates in the traffic police after deregistration is
180 days(previously it was 365 days). After this period the numbers are cancelled. - 💰 State duty for conservation in 2026 is
2,000 rubles(for individuals) and3,500 rubles(for legal entities).
On March 1, 2026, a new regulation came into force, according to which Numbers can only be saved if you contact the traffic police in person — remote application submission via Public services is no longer supported for this procedure. The exception is cases when the owner of the vehicle has qualified electronic signature (CES).
⚠️ Attention: If you sell a car while keeping the license plates, the new owner has no right use these numbers on your vehicle. They remain attached to your face and can only be installed on your next car.
2. Step-by-step instructions: how to save license plates when selling a car
The process of saving numbers consists of three key stages: preparation of documents, deregistration of vehicles with preservation of numbers and their subsequent re-registration for a new vehicle. Let's look at each step in detail.
Step 1. Preparing documents
To save numbers you will need:
- 📄 Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation (original + copy).
- 🚗 PTS (vehicle passport) or electronic PTS (if the car is registered after 2020).
- 🔑 Vehicle registration certificate (STS).
- 💳 Receipt for payment of state duty (you can pay on the spot through the terminal at the traffic police department).
- 📝 Application for deregistration (the form will be issued by the traffic police or can be downloaded on the website State services).
If the car is pledged or leased, you will additionally need consent of the mortgagee/lessor for deregistration. Without this document, the traffic police will refuse to carry out the procedure.
Step 2. Deregistration of the car while maintaining the license plates
The procedure is carried out at any traffic police department, regardless of the place of registration of the vehicle. Algorithm of actions:
- Submit documents at the reception window or through the electronic queue (if available).
- The traffic police officer will check the data and issue certificate of deregistration with a note to save the numbers.
- The license plates will be confiscated and stored in the traffic police archives.
- They will give you notification coupon indicating the storage period (180 days) and details for restoration.
Important: if you do not have time to use the numbers within 180 days, they will be canceled without possibility of restoration. In this case, the state fee for conservation will not be returned.
Pay all traffic fines (check on the website State services or through the service Autocode)
Make sure that the numbers are not damaged or have any signs of tampering
Check that the PTS does not contain any notes prohibiting registration actions
Deregister the car with the insurance company (if you had a CASCO policy) -->
Step 3. Installing license plates on a new car
When you purchase a new car, to install saved numbers you need to:
- Go through the standard procedure for registering a vehicle with the traffic police.
- Present a coupon notification of saved numbers.
- Pay the state fee for issuing new registration documents (
800 rublesfor individuals).
The traffic police officer will check the relevance of the ticket and install the numbers on the new vehicle. The whole process takes no more than 1 hour, if there is no queue.
Yes, everything went smoothly
Yes, but there were problems with the documents
No, but I plan to
No and I don’t plan to-->
3. Features for legal entities and individual entrepreneurs
If the car belongs to a company or individual entrepreneur, the procedure for saving license plates has several key differences:
| Parameter | Individuals | Legal entities/individual entrepreneurs |
|---|---|---|
| State duty for maintaining numbers | 2 000 ₽ | 3 500 ₽ |
| Additional documents | Owner's passport | Extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities/Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs, power of attorney for the representative (if not the director) |
| Number storage period | 180 days | 180 days (but can be extended by 90 days upon application) |
| Possibility of remote registration | Only with CEP | Subject to availability only enhanced qualified signature |
There is also a rule for legal entities: if the company is liquidated or changes owner, the saved numbers are automatically canceled, even if their shelf life has not yet expired. This is due to the fact that the numbers are tied to a legal entity, and not to an individual.
⚠️ Attention: If the car was leased, and the leasing company demands that the plates be returned along with the vehicle, it will not be possible to save them. The leasing agreement usually states that all registration marks remain the property of the lessor.
4. Cost of the procedure: state fees and additional expenses
The total cost of maintaining numbers consists of several mandatory payments. In 2026, the following tariffs are relevant:
- 💰 Saving numbers: 2,000 ₽ (individual) / 3,500 ₽ (legal entity).
- 📋 Deregistration of a vehicle: 350 ₽ (if not combined with saving numbers).
- 🔄 Installing license plates on a new car: 800 ₽ (issuance of a new STS).
- 📑 Making a duplicate of PTS (if required): 1,300 ₽.
Additional costs may arise if:
- 🚘 Necessary deliver the car to the traffic police site for inspection (from
500 ₽for a tow truck). - ⏱️ You use the services intermediaries (from
3 000 ₽for full support). - 📱 You pay electronic queue through third-party services (up to
1 000 ₽).
In total, the procedure will cost 3,000–5,000 rubles for an individual and up to 8,000 rubles for the company. There is no point in saving on state fees - unpaid receipts will lead to a refusal to carry out the operation.
If you are selling a car with retained plates, indicate this in the purchase and sale agreement. For example: "The buyer confirms that the state registration plates A123BC 77 remain with the Seller and are not transferred along with the Vehicle." This will eliminate disputes in the future.
5. Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Even if the instructions are strictly followed, car owners often make mistakes that lead to the loss of license plates or additional expenses. Let's look at the most common ones:
Error 1: Expiration date
Many people forget that numbers are only stored 180 days, and do not have time to buy a new car during this period. If the period has expired, it is impossible to restore the numbers - you will have to get new ones.
Error 2: Damaged or unreadable numbers
The traffic police will refuse to save if the numbers:
- 🔍 Have severe scratches or chips, interfering with identification.
- 🎨 Repainted or covered with film (even if it is “tuning”).
- 🔥 Deformed (for example, after an accident or heating).
Mistake 3: Unpaid fines
If the owner has outstanding traffic fines, employees will refuse to carry out any registration operation, including saving numbers. Check your debts in advance on the website State services or through the service Autocode.
Error 4: Data mismatch in documents
Disagreements between PTS, STS and the owner’s passport (for example, different surnames after marriage) will lead to refusal. If you have changed your personal data, update your car documents in advance.
What to do if the traffic police refused to save the license plates?
If you are refused, request a written justification with the stamp and signature of the employee. Frequent reasons for refusal:
- The numbers are on the wanted list (check through the service GIBDD.RF).
- The car has restrictions on registration actions (for example, arrest by bailiffs).
- The documents are fake or contain corrections.
You can appeal the refusal via head of the traffic police department or in court. In 80% of cases, the refusal turns out to be unfounded, and after filing a complaint, the procedure is carried out without problems.
6. Alternative methods: when saving numbers is impossible
If for some reason it was not possible to save the numbers (for example, the storage period expired or they were lost), there are several alternative options:
- 🔢 Getting new numbers through the traffic police (cost -
2 000 ₽, production time - up to 3 days). - 🎨 Making duplicate numbers with the same characters (legal if the numbers have not been cancelled). Cost - from
3 000 ₽in specialized companies. - 🔄 Buying "beautiful" rooms at a traffic police auction (for example, through the service State number.rf). The price depends on the combination (from
10 000 ₽up to500 000 ₽). - 📱 Using electronic numbers (the pilot project operates in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kazan).
If a specific combination is fundamentally important to you, you can try return old numbers through court, but it takes a long time and is not always successful. Judges usually side with the traffic police if the license plates were canceled after the expiration of the storage period.
For those who want to save money, there is an option with re-registration of numbers to a relative. For example, if you are selling a car, but want to keep the plates, you can temporarily transfer the vehicle to your spouse and then return the plates back. However, this method requires additional costs for re-registration and may raise questions from the tax authorities.
7. Legal nuances: what the law says
Keeping numbers is not a right, but traffic police service, which is provided for a fee. Refusal to provide it is possible if:
- 🚔 The license plates are wanted or linked to a stolen car.
- 📛 They were manufactured in violation of GOST (for example, non-standard font or size).
- 👮 The owner of the vehicle has an unexpunged conviction for crimes related to cars.
According to Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1764, saved numbers cannot be:
- 🔁 Transfer to another person (even by proxy).
- 💰 Sell or give away (this qualifies as fraud).
- 🚗 Install on a car that does not belong to the owner of the license plates.
Violation of these rules entails administrative responsibility according to article 12.2 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (fine up to 5 000 ₽ or deprivation of rights for up to 3 months). In particularly serious cases (for example, if the numbers were used to conceal a crime), a criminal case may be initiated.
The saved numbers remain in the traffic police database and are linked to your passport. Even if you do not use them, they cannot be issued to another person for 180 days.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Can I keep the plates if I sell the car under a general power of attorney?
No. Numbers can only be saved registered owner of the vehicle. If a car is sold by proxy, the right to the plates remains with the previous owner, and the new owner will not be able to keep them.
What happens if I don’t deregister the car before selling it?
If you sold a car but did not deregister it, all fines and taxes will be paid to youuntil the new owner re-registers the vehicle. In addition, you will not be able to save the numbers - they will be automatically canceled when re-registered to the buyer.
Is it possible to keep the license plates if the car is scrapped?
Yes, at vehicle recycling you have the right to keep your numbers under the same conditions (state fee 2 000 ₽, shelf life 180 days). To do this, when scrapping the car, indicate in the application that you want to keep the registration plates.
How many times can you save the same numbers?
The law does not limit the number of times the same numbers can be saved. You can remove and install them repeatedly on different cars, if you comply with the storage period (180 days) and pay the state fee.
Is it possible to keep the license plates if the car is on loan?
Yes, but only with written consent of the bank. Most lenders prohibit deregistration of a vehicle until the loan is fully repaid, so check the conditions with your bank in advance. If there is no agreement, it will not be possible to save the numbers.