Production of state registration plates (GRP) is a mandatory procedure when purchasing a new car, replacing old license plates or losing them. In 2026, car owners have several options where they can order license plates: from traditional traffic police departments to private companies with online ordering. However, not all methods are equally convenient, and some may pose legal risks.
In this article we will look at all legal places, where you can get license plates for your car, we’ll compare them in terms of price, deadlines and document requirements. We will pay special attention new rules 2026, which simplified the procedure, but added nuances when choosing a performer. You will also learn how to avoid scammers and what to do if the plates are made with defects.
Spoiler: the fastest way is not always the cheapest, and saving on quality can result in a fine. But first things first.
1. Official traffic police departments: reliable, but not always fast
The traditional way is to contact division of the State Traffic Inspectorate, where they will not only produce license plates for you, but also register them. This is the only option if you are registering a car for the first time or changing ownership. In 2026, the process has been simplified: now there is no need to first obtain forms elsewhere - everything is done locally.
However, this method has disadvantages: queues (especially in large cities) and limited design choices. For example, at the traffic police you cannot order numbers with personal text or in a non-standard font. But this is a guarantee of legality - no questions when checking documents.
- ✅ Pros: official registration, no risks of fines, the ability to immediately register the car.
- ❌ Cons: queues, limited choice of design, not always convenient location of branches.
- 📍 Where to look: addresses of the nearest traffic police departments can be found on the website traffic police.rf or through the State Services portal.
⚠️ Attention: Since 2023, it has been valid in some regions electronic queue at the traffic police department. You may not be served without a prior appointment. Check the rules on the department's website.
2. Private workshops with a license: quickly and with choice
If you need numbers without registration (for example, if old ones are lost or damaged), you can contact licensed private workshops. They work under an agreement with the traffic police and have the right to produce registration plates. The main advantage is speed: rooms are often prepared in 1–2 hours, whereas at the traffic police it may take several days.
Such workshops usually offer additional options:
- 🎨 Rooms with personal text (if allowed in your region).
- 🔧 Installation of signs on the car (for a fee).
- 📄 Help with paperwork for the traffic police.
The cost is higher than at the traffic police department, but there are no queues and more design options.
| Criterion | traffic police | Private workshop |
|---|---|---|
| Production time | 1–3 days | 1–2 hours |
| Cost (standard rooms) | 1 500–2 000 ₽ | 2 500–4 000 ₽ |
| Personal text | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (if allowed) |
| Installation on a car | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (optional) |
How to check that a workshop operates legally? Ask to see license for manufacturing GRZ and an agreement with the traffic police. If they refuse, this is a reason to be wary.
3. Online services: convenient, but require caution
Recently, many websites have appeared offering to make license plates. remotely. You upload scans of documents, pay for the order, and receive the finished signs by courier or at the pick-up point. This is convenient, but there are some nuances:
- 🔍 Check reviews about the service. Fraudsters often create one-day sites.
- 📋 Make sure the service has traffic police license for the production of numbers.
- 💳 Payment must go through secure systems (for example, SberBank or Tinkoff).
Among the proven services are:
- 🌐 GosNomer.ru — has been operating since 2018, there are offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
- 🌐 AvtoNomer.com — offers express delivery (from 24 hours).
- 🌐 NomerOk.ru — specializes in personal numbers.
The cost of an online order is usually 10-15% higher than in offline workshops, but it saves time.
⚠️ Attention: If the service offers to produce numbers without presentation of PTS or STS, these are 100% scammers. Such signs will be illegal, and you will be fined 5,000 rubles (part 2 of article 12.2 of the Administrative Code).
Before ordering online, check whether the service has a real address and telephone number. Call and find out how the manufacturing process is going. Fraudsters usually avoid direct contact.
4. Self-production: is it legal?
Some car owners are wondering: is it possible to make license plates with your own hands? Technically yes, but with a number of caveats:
- 📜 You must have permission from the traffic police for the production of signs.
- 🔧 Numbers must match GOST R 50577-2018 (size, font, material).
- 📍 They must be registered with the State Traffic Inspectorate.
In practice, this is difficult and unprofitable: it is easier to contact a licensed workshop.
If you still decide to make the numbers yourself (for example, for a retro car), use:
- 🖨️ Laser engraving on an aluminum base.
- 🎨 Paint resistant to UV rays and chemical influences.
- 📏 Exact dimensions: 520×112 mm (front number) and 520×112 or 280×200 mm (rear number).
But remember: homemade numbers will not pass the test when registering, if they do not meet the standards.
What happens if you drive with homemade license plates?
If the license plates do not comply with GOST or are not registered with the traffic police, you will be fined 5,000 rubles (part 2 of article 12.2 of the Administrative Code). In the worst case, they can remove the license plates and send the car to the impound lot.
5. License plates for retro cars and motorcycles: features
Owners vintage cars (over 30 years old) and motorcycles, special license plate options are available:
- 🚗 Retro numbers: black signs with white or yellow symbols (for cars before 1990).
- 🏍️ Motor number: reduced format (190×140 mm) with the possibility of mounting on a frame.
They can be ordered in the same places as regular numbers, but not all workshops work with such formats.
To design retro numbers you will need:
- Vehicle registration certificate.
- Conclusion expert appraiser about the age of the car.
- Application to the traffic police with a request to issue special signs.
The cost of such rooms is higher - from 3,000 to 6,000 rubles.
PTS or STS|Expert's conclusion on the age of the car|Owner's passport|Application to the traffic police (sample on the department's website)-->
6. How to avoid scammers: 5 red flags
The market for production of numbers is teeming with unscrupulous performers. Here are the signs that are before you scammers:
- 💰 Price too low (below 1,500 ₽ for a couple of rooms).
- 📞 Lack of contacts (no address, phone, only WhatsApp).
- 📄 They don't ask for documents (PTS, STS, passport).
- 🕒 Guaranteed production in 10–15 minutes (real time - from 1 hour).
- 🔍 No reviews or are they all “one-day” ones.
To avoid running into a fake:
- Check the service via Yandex map or Google - is there a real office?
- Read reviews on Yandex.Maps or 2GIS.
- Check if they provide guarantee for numbers (legal workshops provide).
If in doubt, it is better to overpay in a trusted place than to get into trouble with the law.
- Certificate of conformity GOST R 50577-2018.
- Seal of the workshop or traffic police on the reverse side.
- Clear, non-erasable characters.-->
7. What should I do if the numbers are made with a defect?
If you received numbers with marriage (blurry letters, crooked fasteners, wrong color), you have the rights:
- 🔄 Return or replace according to the law “On Protection of Consumer Rights” (Article 18).
- 📝 Require an inspection report with a description of the defects.
- 💵 Request compensation, if a defect is discovered after installation.
Algorithm of actions:
- Take a photograph of the defect (eg
unreadable character "A"orpeeling paint). - Write a complaint to the workshop (a sample can be downloaded on the Rospotrebnadzor website).
- If they refuse to fix it, complain to traffic police (they will check the legality of the workshop) or Rospotrebnadzor.
The replacement period under warranty is up to 20 days (Article 20 of the Law “On ZPP”).
⚠️ Attention: If the defective number is already installed on the car, do not drive it! The traffic police inspector may issue a fine for unreadable signs (Part 1 of Article 12.2 of the Administrative Code - 500 ₽).
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about production of numbers
Is it possible to make numbers without a car?
Yes, but only if you have PTS or STS for this vehicle. Without documents, production of license plates is illegal. An exception is ordering duplicates if lost (an application to the traffic police is required).
How much do personal numbers cost?
The cost depends on the region and workshop:
- Standard personal (3 letters + 3 numbers): 5,000–8,000 ₽.
- Exclusive (with rare combinations): up to 20,000 ₽.
- Retro numbers with personal text: 8,000–12,000 RUR.
The traffic police do not make such numbers - only in private workshops.
Is it possible to transfer license plates from one car to another?
No, this is prohibited. Each registration plate is linked to specific vehicle and its owner. When selling or replacing a car, the license plates must be submitted to the traffic police or new ones must be made.
What to do if you lost one number?
You need to contact the traffic police or a licensed workshop to report the loss. They will make it for you duplicate (cost - 1,500–2,500 ₽). You cannot drive with one number plate - a fine of 500 ₽ (Part 1 of Article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses).
Is it possible to make numbers in advance, before purchasing a car?
No. Number plates are issued only after the vehicle is registered in your name. An exception is if you buy a car at a car dealership and arrange everything through them (they can order license plates by proxy).