Contract of sale of the car with preservation of state numbers: rules and step-by-step instructions

Selling a car with state plates is a popular practice among car owners who want to keep the usual numbers for themselves or transfer them to a new owner without unnecessary bureaucracy. However, such a transaction requires special attention to the execution of documents, since the standard contract of sale (PrEP) does not always take into account the nuances of the transfer of license plates.

Since 2026, Russia has updated vehicle registration rules, which have simplified the procedure for saving numbers, but added new requirements to registration. In this article, we will discuss how to draw up a contract, what documents will be needed, and what legal traps can await the participants in the transaction. Special attention will be paid to the difference between saving the numbers for the seller and transferring them to the buyer - these are fundamentally different procedures from the point of view of the traffic police.

If you plan to sell the car, but want to keep the "beautiful" numbers, or vice versa - to buy a car with already attached numbers, this guide will help to avoid mistakes and save time for re-registration.

What is the preservation of license plates when selling a car and why it is necessary

State number retention is a procedure in which license plates remain with the previous owner (the license plates are retained by the previous owner).seller) or transferred to a new owner (buyer) without reference to a specific vehicle. Previously, this was possible only through the temporary removal of cars from the register, but now the process has been simplified.

The main reasons why owners want to keep the numbers:

• 🔢 Emotional attachment Many drivers get used to their numbers and do not want to change them even when changing cars.
• 💰 Savings on new rooms - the production of duplicates or obtaining new signs costs from 2 000 to 5 000 rubles.
• 📜 Facilitation of registration If the buyer takes a car with numbers, he does not need to waste time on obtaining them.
• 🚗 Preserving the history of the machine For collectible or rare cars, original numbers can add value.

It is important to understand that The number can only be saved if two conditions are met: there are no restrictions on registration actions (for example, arrest or prohibition on re-registration) and the correct execution of the contract of sale.. If the traffic police database has unpaid fines or other problems, the procedure will be blocked.

Legal Basis: What the Numbers Preservation Act Says in 2026

The procedure for saving state numbers is regulated by several normative acts:

• 📄 Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399 (from 26.06.2018) - the main document describing the rules of registration of the vehicle.
• 📄 Government Decree No. 1764 (from 21.12.2019) - clarifies the procedure for saving numbers.
• 📄 Chapter 30 of the RF Civil Code - regulates the contract of sale as such.

According to the current rules, the number saving is possible in two scenarios:

1. The numbers remain with the seller. - for this purpose, the appropriate wording should be prescribed in the DCP, and the seller must apply to the traffic police to keep the numbers for himself.
2. Numbers are transmitted to the buyer In this case, they are automatically "attached" to the new car when registered, but only if the buyer has not refused them in the application.

The key point: The numbers are not the property of the owner of the car. - they are issued by the traffic police and remain in circulation of the state.Preservation means only temporary fixation for a particular person without reference to the machine. The maximum period of such preservation - 180 days (six months) If the numbers are not used during this time (attached to a new car), they are canceled.

Step by step instructions: how to issue a PrEP with the preservation of numbers

The process of registration of the transaction with the preservation of numbers consists of several stages. Let us examine each of them in detail.

1. Preparation of documents

Before concluding the contract, check the availability of the following documents:

Passport of the Russian Federation (original)| Certificate of registration of the vehicle (CTS)| Passport of the vehicle (PTS)| CTP Policy (current)| Receipts for payment of the state duty (if required)->

Please note: if there are no free lines for the new owner in the PTS, you will need to get a duplicate in advance. This can be done in any EPI or through Public services.

2. Preparation of the contract of sale

Additional items on the preservation of numbers should be added to the standard PrEP form. Example of wording:

4. Features of the transfer:
4.1. The seller retains the state registration plates [specify numbers] issued by the [date of issue] department of the traffic police [name of unit].
4.2. The buyer undertakes not to interfere with the seller in the procedure of preserving license plates and provide all necessary documents for deregistration of the vehicle.

If the numbers are transferred to the buyer, use this wording:

4. Features of the transfer:
4.1. Together with the vehicle, the buyer is transferred state registration plates [specify numbers], which will be assigned to this vehicle when registered.
4.2. The Seller guarantees that there are no restrictions on registration actions in respect of the specified license plates.

3. Signing of the contract and transfer of money

After the contract has been completed:

1. The seller and the buyer sign three copies of the PrEP (one for each party and one for the traffic police).
2. The seller transfers the keys, PTS, CTS and the original contract to the buyer.
3. The buyer transfers the seller money (preferably with a receipt of receipt).

Sample receipt of money

I, [name of the seller], passport [series, number], issued [by whom, when], received from [name of the buyer], passport [series, number], money in the amount of [a sum in writing] rubles for the sale of the car [mark, model, VIN]. I have no claims on the amount and basis of receipt.

[Signature of the seller] [Date]

4. Registration with the traffic police

The following steps depend on who keeps the numbers:

Script	Action by the seller	Action by the buyer
The numbers remain with the seller.	1. Apply for the preservation of numbers through the State Services or in the IREO. 2. Remove the car from the register (if the buyer has not registered it within 10 days). 3. Obtain a certificate of preservation of numbers.	1. Put the car on the account without numbers (get new or use temporary). 2. Provide the seller with a copy of the new CTC to confirm the deregistration.
Numbers are transmitted to the buyer	1. Provide the buyer with all the documents for the numbers. 2. Make sure that in the application for registration, the buyer indicated a desire to keep the numbers.	1. When registering, indicate in the application that the old numbers are retained. 2. Pay the state duty for the preservation of rooms (2000 rubles).

Sample of the contract of sale with preservation of state numbers

Below is a current PrEP template that takes into account all the nuances of saving numbers. You can download it in format. Word or PDF.

BUY-SELL AGREEMENT No [number]

d. [inhabitation], [Date spelled]

We, a citizen of the Russian Federation [name of the seller], [date of birth], passport [series, number], issued [by whom, when], registered at the address: [address], hereinafter referred to as the "Seller", on the one hand, and a citizen of the Russian Federation [name of the buyer], [date of birth], passport [series, number], issued [by whom, when], registered at the address: [address], hereinafter referred to as the "Buer", on the other hand, concluded this treaty as follows:

1. Subject matter of the treaty

1.1. The seller sells and the buyer buys the vehicle:

• Mark, model: [For example, Toyota Camry V50]
• Year of issue: [year]
• Identification number (VIN): [VIN code]
• Body number(s): [number]
• Engine number: [number]
• Color: [color]
• State registration plate: [numbers]
• Chassis number (if available): [number]
• Model, engine number: [data]
• Model, body number: [data]
• Model, No chassis: [data]

2. Price and settlement

2.1. The cost of the vehicle is [the sum in numbers] (the sum in writing) rubles.

2.2. The settlement between the parties is made in full before the signing of this agreement. The seller confirms receipt of the funds in full.

3. Rights and obligations of the parties

3.1. The seller undertakes:

• Transfer the vehicle to the Buyer in the state corresponding to the description in paragraph 1.1.
• Transfer to the Buyer all the documents necessary for registration of the vehicle in the traffic police.
• Keeping the state registration plates [numbers] according to paragraph 4.1.

3.2. The buyer undertakes:

• Accept the vehicle and pay its cost in full.
• Independently register the vehicle in the traffic police within 10 days from the date of conclusion of the contract.
• Do not obstruct the Seller in the procedure of preserving state registration marks.

4. Features of transfer

4.1. The seller retains state registration marks [numbers][Date] [Date] [Date of the DHS].

4.2. The buyer undertakes to indicate in the application when registering a vehicle with the traffic police that state registration plates are not transferred together with the vehicle.

5. Liability of the parties

5.1. The parties are responsible for non-fulfillment or improper performance of obligations in accordance with the current legislation of the Russian Federation.

5.2. If the Buyer does not register the vehicle within the prescribed period, the Seller has the right to remove it from the register independently.

6. Other conditions

6.1. This agreement is made in triplicate, having equal legal force, one for each of the parties and one for registration in traffic police.

6.2. All amendments and additions to the contract are made in writing and signed by both parties.

Signatures of the parties:

Seller:

Buyer:

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with careful preparation, participants in the transaction often make mistakes, which then turn into problems with registration. Here are the most frequent of them:

⚠️ Attention.If the DCP does not specify that the numbers are retained by the seller, but he removed them from the car and did not give them to the buyer, this may be regarded as theft. The buyer has the right to demand compensation for new numbers through the court.

1. Miswording in the treaty

Often, the sellers simply write, “I keep the numbers.” That's not enough. The contract shall be:

• 📌 Exact numbers of signs (e.g. A123BC 77 RUS).
• 📌 A statement that the buyer does not interfere with the preservation.
• 📌 Reference to the normative act (Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399).

2. Delay in buyer registration

If the buyer did not register the car within 10 days, the seller risks receiving a fine for late deregistration. To avoid this:

• 📅 Set the date of the transfer of the car in the contract.
• 📋 Ask the buyer to send a copy of the new CTC after registration.
• 🔄 If the buyer delays, remove the car from the register yourself through Public services.

3. Problems with payment of state duty

Many people forget that you need to pay a state fee for the preservation of rooms:

• 💵 2,000 rubles - for keeping the numbers for the seller.
• 💵 800 rubles - for the issue of a certificate of preservation.
• 💵 2,000 rubles - for attaching saved numbers to a new car.

You can pay the fee at a discount of 30% through Public services.

4. Unverified room history

Before the transaction, check the numbers on:

• 🔍 Being wanted through DIBD.
• 🔍 Restrictions on registration activities through Public services.
• 🔍 Fines - On the website. INDU fines.

⚠️ Attention.If the numbers are seized or listed as lost, they will not be saved. In this case, you will have to get new signs.

How much does it cost to preserve state numbers in 2026

The cost of the procedure depends on who keeps the numbers and what additional services are required. The following is the current cost table:

Action.	Cost (rupe)	Commentary
Keeping the numbers for the seller	2 000	State duty for the preservation procedure
Certificate of preservation of numbers	800	Issued to the seller
Attachment of numbers to the new car	2 000	Payment by the new owner at registration
Manufacture of a duplicate PTS (if necessary)	800	If there are no free lines in the PTS
Electronic registration through public services (30 percent discount)	From 1,400	Instead of 2,000 for preservation

Total minimum cost of saving numbers for the seller will be 2,800 rubles (2,000+800) and for a buyer who attaches saved numbers to a new car, 2,000 rubles.

Additional costs may arise if:

• 📄 Notarization of the contract is required (from 1,500 rubles).
• 🔧 You need to remove / register a car through an intermediary (from 2 000 rubles).
• 📋 There are fines or unpaid taxes (the amount depends on the debt).

What to do if the traffic police refuses to save numbers

Sometimes the traffic police may refuse to keep the state numbers. Let’s look at the typical causes and ways to solve them.

1. Numbers are restricted.

If the numbers are wanted, under arrest or have other restrictions, their preservation will be blocked. Decisions:

• 📋 Check the status of the rooms in advance through DIBD's official service.
• 📞 Please contact the office that imposed the restriction to clarify the reasons.
• ⚖️ If the restriction is wrong, submit a complaint through interior-site Or in court.

2. Data inconsistency in documents

If there are discrepancies in the PTS, CTS or passport of the owner (for example, a mismatch of VIN or engine data), the traffic police will refuse any registration actions. What to do:

• 🔍 Check all the data in the documents with the actual characteristics of the car.
• 📝 If you make a mistake in the PTS, get a duplicate.
• 🆔 If there is a mistake in the passport, contact the MIA for correction.

3. Overdue fines or taxes

The presence of unpaid fines for the former owner may block registration actions. Decision:

• 💰 Check and pay all penalties on the site INDU fines.
• 📊 Make sure that the transport tax is paid (check through the FNS).
• 📄 Keep receipts for payment – they may be required at the traffic police.

4. Technical problems in the database of traffic police

Sometimes the failure is associated with technical failures or errors in the database. In this case:

• 📡 Try to apply through another channel (for example, if you were denied public services – contact the IREO personally).
• 📅 Wait 1-2 days and try again.
• 📞 Please contact the traffic police hotline: 8 (495) 623-70-70.

⚠️ Attention.If you are refused without explanation, request a written refusal with justification. This document can be appealed to the higher office of the traffic police or in court.

FAQ: Frequent questions about maintaining state plates

Can I keep the numbers if I sell the car under a general power of attorney?

No, the number saving is possible only at the conclusion of the contract of sale. When sold by proxy, the numbers automatically remain behind the car and are transferred to the new owner (if he decides to keep them).

How many times can I keep the same number?

The law does not limit the number of times the same number is saved. The main thing is to comply with the deadlines: each time you save, you have 180 days to attach the numbers to the new car. If you do not have time, the numbers are canceled.

Can I save the numbers if the car is pledged to the bank?

No, if the car is encumbered (pledge), any registration actions, including the preservation of numbers, will be blocked until the encumbrance is removed. To do this, you need to repay the loan and get a document from the bank about the absence of collateral.

What happens if I don’t have time to attach the saved numbers to my new car in 180 days?

If you have not attached the numbers to the new vehicle within 180 days, they will be automatically cancelled. After that, you will have to get new license plates when registering the next car.

Can I transfer the saved numbers to another person (not the buyer of my car)?

No, saved numbers can only be attached to a car that is registered in your name. It is impossible to transfer them to a third party - this violates the rules of registration of the vehicle.