Where to look for an EPTS number: all methods for car owners and buyers

Number electronic vehicle passport (EPTS) required when completing purchase and sale transactions, registering with the traffic police or checking the car’s history. If you've lost access to your documents or don't know where to look for this 17-digit code, check first email, to which notifications were sent from the EPTS operator (usually notifications@ptsmos.ru or a similar address from a regional operator). In a letter with the subject “Your EPTS has been generated” or “Documents for vehicle No. [VIN]” the number is always duplicated. If there are no letters, move on to alternative methods.

Without an EPTS number, it is impossible to confirm ownership of a car produced after November 1, 2023 (EPTS is required for new cars). The old paper PTS continue to be valid, but upon re-registration they will be replaced with electronic ones. Below are all the current ways to find a number, including hidden sources and official services.

1. Where to look for the EPTS number in documents and letters

The first place to look for the number is purchase and sale agreement (SPA) or an act of acceptance and transfer. Starting from 2023, sellers are required to indicate the EPTS number in the “Vehicle Documents” section. Look for a line like:

EPTS No.: 1234 5678 9012 3456 7

If the DCT is drawn up according to the old form (without mentioning the EPTS), check:

• 📧 Letters from the EPTS operator — look for the topics “Your EPTS is ready”, “Documents for VIN [number]”. Attachments may contain a PDF with a number.
• 📄 OSAGO/CASCO insurance policy — some insurance companies duplicate the EPTS number in the “Vehicle Documents” section.
• 📱 SMS notifications — during the initial registration of a car with the traffic police or a change of owner, the EPTS number can be sent to the phone (look for messages from 3977 or regional traffic police numbers).

⚠️ Attention: If you bought the car from a dealer, the EPTS number may be indicated in agreement for the provision of services for vehicle registration (appendix to the policy). Check your documents folder for additional agreements.

2. How to find out the EPTS number through the traffic police

The official way is to request information at traffic police. It's free, but it will take time. Options:

1. Personal visit to MREO. Take your passport and documents for the car (STS, DCP). In the “Help Information” window, ask for the EPTS number by VIN. The procedure takes 10–15 minutes.
2. Through the State Services portal. Send a request to the section “Transport and driving” → “Obtaining information from the EPTS register”. The answer will come within 3 business days.
3. By phone. Call the regional traffic police (numbers are on the website traffic police.rf) and name the VIN. The employee can dictate the EPTS number if you confirm ownership.

⚠️ Attention: If the car was purchased under a general power of attorney (without re-registration), the traffic police will not provide an EPTS number - you must first register ownership.

Method	Deadline	Documents	Cost
Personal visit to the traffic police	10–30 minutes	Passport, STS, DCT	Free
Request through State Services	1–3 days	Passport, vehicle details	Free
Call the traffic police	5–20 minutes	VIN, owner details	Free
Contacting the EPTS operator	1–5 days	DCP, passport	Free

3. Online services for searching for an EPTS number

If your documents are lost and you don’t have time to go to the traffic police, try specialized services. They pull data from the EPTS register, but not all are free:

• 🌐 PTS-Mos - for cars registered in the Moscow region. Enter the VIN in the "Search for Vehicle Vehicle" field.
• 🌐 Public services → “Transport” → “Checking EPTS”. A verified account will be required.
• 🌐 Autocode — a paid report (from 349 ₽), but shows the EPTS number in the “Documents” section.
• 🌐 Vinformer — free check by VIN (sometimes displays the EPTS number).

🔍 Important: On third-party services (Autocode, Vinformer), the EPTS number may not be available if the data has not yet been updated in the registry. Official sources (traffic police, PTS-Mos) are more reliable.

4. How to restore access to EPTS if the number is lost

If your EPTS number is lost and the car is registered in your name, you can restore access through EPTS operator (the organization that issued the document). Algorithm:

1. Find out which operator issued your EPTS. It could be:
   • 📍 JSC "Electronic passport" (most regions)
   • 📍 State Public Institution "PTS-Mos" (Moscow and region)
   • 📍 Regional operators (for example, "Autocode-Perm").

Write an application to restore access. The sample can be downloaded from the operator’s website.

Send scans of documents (passport, STS, DCP) to the operator’s email or through your personal account.

Receive a new EPTS number or access to your personal account (up to 5 business days).

⚠️ Attention: If the car was purchased by proxy, only the official owner (the one to whom the vehicle was registered at the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate) can restore access to the EPTS. In this case, you first need to re-register the car.

1. Vehicle owner’s passport

2. Certificate of registration (CTC)

3. Sales and purchase agreement (if any)

4. Vehicle VIN code

5. Contact details of the EPTS operator-->

5. Common mistakes when searching for an EPTS number

Car owners often confuse the EPTS number with other codes. Let's look at typical misconceptions:

• 🚫 EPTS number ≠ PTS number. The paper PTS has the format XX XX XXXXXXX (10 characters), and EPTS - XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXX (17 characters).
• 🚫 EPTS number ≠ VIN. VIN is a unique vehicle code (17 characters, including letters), and the EPTS number is a digital document identifier.
• 🚫 EPTS number ≠ STS number. The Certificate of Registration (CTC) contains a separate 10-digit number that is not associated with the EPTS.
• 🚫 EPTS does not come via SMS when receiving fines. The EPTS number is not used for notifications about fines - the license plate number or VIN is indicated there.

🔎 How to distinguish: The EPTS number always begins with numbers 1–9 (never from scratch) and contains only numbers (no letters). Example of a correct number: 3704 1289 0001 2456 7.

What should I do if, when checking the EPTS, the service gives the error “Document not found”?

This means that:

1. The EPTS number was entered incorrectly (check the spaces and numbers).

2. The document has not yet been registered in the registry (if the car is new, wait 1-2 weeks).

3. The EPTS operator does not transfer data to the general registry (contact it directly).

4. The car is listed as stolen or under arrest (check for traffic police website).

6. Is it possible to find out the EPTS number by license plate number or VIN without documents?

Technically yes, but with restrictions:

• 🔍 By license plate - only through paid services (Autocode, CarVertical). Free databases (for example, traffic police check) EPTS number is not shown.
• 🔍 By VIN - the chances are higher. Some EPTS operators (for example, PTS-Mos) allow you to enter the VIN and get the number if you are authorized as the owner.

🚨 Warning: Services that promise to “show the EPTS number by license plate for free” are often fraudulent. They can:

• 📲 Ask to send SMS to a short number (subscription to paid services).
• 💳 Require bank card details “for confirmation”.
• 📧 Send spam after entering your email.

The only legal way is official sources: traffic police, EPTS operator or trusted services (Autocode, Public services).

7. What to do if the EPTS number is not found anywhere

If you have exhausted all the methods and the EPTS number is still not found, follow the algorithm:

1. Check if the PTS is paper at your car. EPTS is required only for cars produced after November 1, 2023. For old cars, a paper PTS may be valid (check in the DCP or STS).
2. Contact the previous owner. If the car was purchased recently, the seller is required to provide the EPTS number (by law, it is transferred along with the vehicle).
3. Write a statement to the traffic police about the loss of EPTS data. Attach your DCP and passport - you will be given a duplicate number.
4. Check if the EPTS has been canceled. If the car was stolen or under arrest, the document could be revoked. Check the status on traffic police website.

📌 Important: If you are buying a car and the seller cannot provide the EPTS number, this is a reason to be wary. Possible reasons:

• 🚗 The car is pledged (EPTS is blocked by the bank).
• 🚔 The car is wanted or has traffic police restrictions.
• 📄 The documents are fake (check the VIN via avinfoauto.ru).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the EPTS number

Is it possible to drive without an EPTS number if I have a paper PTS?

Yes, if your car was released until November 1, 2023 and is already registered with the traffic police. A paper PTS is valid until re-registration (for example, upon sale). After re-registration you will be given an EPTS.

What happens if you don’t give the EPTS number to the buyer when selling a car?

This is a violation Art. 12.1 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (“Failure to provide documents for a vehicle”). The buyer can challenge the transaction, and the seller will be fined 1,500–2,000 rubles. In addition, the new owner will not be able to re-register the car.

How to check if the EPTS number is fake?

Enter the number on the EPTS operator website (for example, ptsmos.ru) or through Public services. The system will show vehicle data that matches your documents. If it gives an error, the number is fake or cancelled.

How much does it cost to restore an EPTS number?

Restoration through the operator or traffic police free. Paid services (Autocode, CarVertical) charge 300-500 rubles for verification, but this is not necessary - it is better to contact official sources.

Can the EPTS number change?

No, the EPTS number is assigned once and remains unchanged for the entire service life of the vehicle. He might be canceled (for example, when disposing of a vehicle), but a new number will not be issued.