Three sixes on a car license plate is a topic steeped in legends, superstitions and legal nuances. For some it is just a combination of numbers, for others it is a sign of the devil, and for others it is a way to attract attention on the road. But what is actually hidden behind the number? 666? Is it possible to officially obtain it from the traffic police, and what pitfalls await the owner of such a car?
In this article we will analyze real facts about numbers with a “devilish” combination: from the history of their appearance to modern registration rules. You will find out why some drivers specifically look for such plates, while others are willing to pay to get rid of them. We will also debunk myths about fines, accidents and “damned” cars - and explain what the law says about freedom of choice of license plates in 2026.
Why is number 666 considered “cursed”?
Superstitions have their roots in Bible - exactly in Revelation of John the Evangelist (13:18) date 666 called the “number of the beast,” symbolizing the Antichrist. Over time, this association migrated to popular culture: films, books and even musical groups (for example, Iron Maiden with the album The Number of the Beast) strengthened the connection between the sixes and the dark forces.
In the automotive world, fears have been exacerbated by several high-profile cases:
- 🚗 Fatal accident - in the 1990s in the USA and Europe, the media associated accidents with cars that had license plates
666. - 💰 Market speculation - in some countries, numbers with this combination were sold at auctions for fabulous sums (for example, in the UK
A666 AAAsold for £100,000). - 📜 Prohibitions in certain regions - in a number of Muslim countries (Saudi Arabia, Iran) numbers with
666are not issued for religious reasons.
However, statistics on road accidents and fines do not confirm the connection between the number and increased accident rates. According to State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of Russia, the frequency of violations among owners of “devilish” numbers does not differ from the national average. However, the psychological factor plays a role: some drivers admit that they feel discomfort when driving behind a car with 666.
Is it possible to legally get number 666 in Russia in 2026?
From a legal point of view, in There is no direct ban on Russia for the issuance of license plates with a combination 666. However, there are nuances:
- Random issue — with standard registration of a car in the traffic police, the number is generated automatically, and the probability of getting
A666AA 123extremely small (about 0.001%). - Selecting a number through government services — from 2021 drivers can pay for the desired combination (from 10,000 to 50,000 rubles depending on the region). But here the rule applies: the number must not match those already issued or blocked.
- Auctions — in some regions (Moscow, St. Petersburg) bidding is held for “beautiful” rooms, where
666may become a lot.
Important: if the license plate previously belonged to a car that was involved in a serious accident or was stolen, it may be withdraw from circulation. You can check the number history through the service Autocode or Traffic police online.
Before purchasing a number with 666 at an auction, request an extract from the traffic police database - this will protect you from purchasing a “problematic” sign that may be cancelled.
How much does number 666 cost on the secondary market?
Price for license plates with combination 666 varies from symbolic amounts to tens of thousands of rubles. It all depends on:
| Factor | Cost (RUB) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Region | 5 000 — 30 000 | M666MM 777 (Moscow) - up to 50,000 |
| Series (letters) | 10 000 — 100 000 | A666AA 99 (Republic of Tatarstan) - 80,000 |
| Year of manufacture of the car | 2 000 — 15 000 | 2000s number is cheaper than new ones |
| Having an accident history | Free – 5,000 | Rooms with accidents are sold at a big discount |
Where to look:
- 🛒 Avito and Drome — private sellers offer rooms from 3,000 rubles.
- 🏛️ Traffic police auctions - official auction, but prices are higher (from 20,000).
- 🤝 Thematic forums (for example, Drive2) - here you can find rare combinations.
⚠️ Attention: Purchasing a license plate from a private person requires re-registration with the traffic police. If the seller has not deregistered the sign, the transaction will be illegitimate, and you may be fined 2,500 rubles under Art. 12.2 Code of Administrative Offences.
Myths and real risks for owners of 666 numbers
Let's look at the most common horror stories and check how justified they are.
Myth 1: “Such cars are more likely to get into accidents”
Statistics Rosavtodor for 2019–2023 did not reveal a correlation between the number and accident rate. However psychological factor plays a role: some drivers admit that they are distracted by an “unusual” sign, which can lead to an accident.
Myth 2: “Traffic police officers stop you more often”
According to Motorists' Rights Society, patrol officers can actually pay attention to the car with 666, but only if there are other signs of violation (tinting, unreadable numbers, etc.). The number itself is not grounds for stopping.
Myth 3: “Insurance companies refuse CASCO insurance”
This lie. No major insurer (e.g. RESO-Garantiya or Ingosstrakh) does not have a refusal clause due to number. However, when applying for a policy, check whether there is an internal ban on “non-standard” combinations - such cases have been recorded in small regional companies.
Real case from practice
In 2022 in the Krasnodar Territory the owner Toyota Camry with number K666KK 23 filed a lawsuit against the traffic police after he was denied a technical inspection three times “for technical reasons.” The court sided with the motorist, recognizing the actions of the inspectors as biased.
How to remove or change number 666 if you don’t like it
If you become the owner of a car with an “unlucky” number, you can replace it. Here are the step-by-step instructions:
☑️ License plate replacement procedure
Features of the procedure:
- 🔄 Keeping the old number — if the sign is not damaged, you can leave it “as a souvenir” (but you cannot drive with it).
- 💸 Cost — you will have to pay for new numbers
2,000 rubles(state duty) + possible expenses for making duplicates. - ⏳ Deadlines - in Moscow and St. Petersburg the procedure takes 1 day, in the regions - up to 3 working days.
⚠️ Attention: If the number 666 was obtained through auction or private purchase, please check if it is listed as wanted before replacing it. To do this, send a request to the traffic police through the form on the website traffic police.rf.
Alternatives to number 666: which combinations are considered “lucky”
If you are superstitious, but want an unusual number, pay attention to other “iconic” combinations:
| Combination | Meaning | Average price (RUB) |
|---|---|---|
777 |
Symbol of good luck and luck | 15 000 — 40 000 |
888 |
Wealth (in Chinese numerology) | 20 000 — 60 000 |
007 |
Association with James Bond | 25 000 — 100 000 |
111 |
Unity and Harmony | 10 000 — 30 000 |
Interesting fact: in China number 888 considered the most prestigious - it is often purchased for business class (for example, Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7 Series). And in Japan avoid numbers 4 (associated with death), so numbers like 444 they are almost never found there.
If you choose a number for a gift, take into account cultural features: in Russia they are popular 777 and 007, and in Asian countries - 888 or 999.
Legal nuances: what the law says about “non-standard” numbers
B Russia The issuance of license plates is regulated by:
- 📄 Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399 (dated June 26, 2018) - determines the procedure for registering a vehicle.
- 📄 GOST R 50577-2018 — standards for license plates.
- 📄 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, art. 12.2 — responsibility for counterfeiting or using someone else’s numbers.
Key points:
- Numbers are prohibited coinciding with official (for example,
001,002- reserve for special vehicles). - Cannot be used non-standard fonts or symbols (for example, replace the number
6by letterG). - If the number
666was lost or stolen, it can be restored, but only with confirmation of ownership.
B Europe and USA the rules are softer: for example, in Germany you can order any number (except offensive combinations), and in California There is a system of “personalized” signs, where 666 allowed, but requires additional payment.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about number 666
Is it possible to travel abroad with number 666?
Yes, but in some countries (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Malaysia) such numbers may raise questions from local authorities. It is recommended to check the rules with the embassy of the destination country.
Is it true that 666 numbers are stolen more often?
There are no statistics on this issue. However, car thieves may actually target "noticeable" cars to later resell them with new license plates. The risk increases if the car is expensive (for example, Porsche 911 or Land Cruiser 200).
Is it possible to order number 666 for a motorcycle?
Yes, the rules for motorcycles are the same as for cars. For example, in Moscow you can get T666TT 77 through government services or an auction.
What should I do if I got number 666 when buying a used car?
You can:
- Leave everything as it is (legally there are no problems).
- Replace the number at the traffic police (cost: 2,000 rubles).
- Resell the issue to collectors (at Avito such lots are in demand).
Are there numbers with 666 that cannot be obtained?
Yes, this is:
- The numbers are already assigned to special vehicles (for example,
AMP 666- reserve of the Ministry of Internal Affairs). - Combinations, withdrawn from circulation after a fatal accident.
- Rooms with invalid characters (for example,
666 AAA- three identical letters in a row are not allowed).