Where to find an EPTS number: 5 proven methods for car owners

From July 1, 2021, electronic vehicle passports (EPTS) have become mandatory for all new cars in Russia. This document has replaced traditional paper PTS, but many car owners still face difficulties finding its number. Unlike a physical passport, where the number is indicated on the front side, in electronic format this information is “hidden” in the system and requires a special approach to searching.

You will need an EPTS number to register a car with the traffic police, take out MTPL insurance, sell a car or check the history through services like Autocode or CarVertical. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to find an EPTS number - from document verification to online services, and also tell you what to do if the number is lost or not displayed in the system.

We will pay special attention to the nuances of 2026: changes in the operation of the portal Public services, new features of the mobile application Public services Auto and current methods of restoring access to EPTS. If you bought a used car or received an EPTS upon registration, here you will find answers to all your questions.

1. Where to look for the EPTS number in paper documents

Even if your car is issued with an electronic passport, some of the information is duplicated in physical documents. The first thing to check is vehicle registration certificate (VTC). Since 2021, a special field has appeared in it for the EPTS number, but not all traffic police inspectors fill it out correctly.

Open your STS and find the line "EPTS number" (usually located at the bottom of the document, under the owner information). If the field is empty or illegible, this is not critical: the number is still stored in the traffic police database. However, its absence in the STS may complicate checking the car’s history through third-party services.

• 📄 Sales and purchase agreement (PSA): In some cases, the seller indicates the EPTS number in the additional terms of the contract. Check the Notes or Special Notes section.
• 📋 Acceptance certificate: If the car was purchased at a dealership, the EPTS number can be written down in the act along with the VIN code and PTS data.
• 🔍 Warranty card: Manufacturers (eg KIA, Hyundai or Volkswagen) sometimes duplicate the EPTS number in warranty documents.

⚠️ Attention: If you bought a car from a reseller or through a consignment shop, the EPTS number may have been deliberately hidden. In this case, check the document via official website of the traffic police — all registered EPTS are displayed there by VIN code.

If the number is missing from your documents, don’t panic: you can get it online. Let's move on to the next section.

2. How to find out the EPTS number through the State Services portal

The most reliable way to find an EPTS number is to use State Services portal. To do this, you will need a verified account (at least standard level). If your account has not been verified, do so in advance in one of service centers.

Instructions for searching for a number:

1. Login to Public services and go to the section Transport and driving.
2. Select an item Vehicles → My vehicles.
3. Find the desired car in the list and click on it.
4. In the card that opens, scroll down to the block Documents - there will be a line Electronic PTS indicating the number.

If the car does not appear in the list, check:

• 🔄 Correct linking of the vehicle to your profile (sometimes manual addition is required via Add transport).
• 📡 Status of data processing in the traffic police (information can be updated up to 5 working days after registration).
• 📱 Availability of a mobile application Public services Auto — data sometimes appears in it faster than on the website.

Make sure your account is verified|Check the "My Vehicles" section|Update your data using the "Synchronize" button|Try to log in to the mobile app-->

If the EPTS number is not displayed even after synchronization, this may mean:

• 🚗 The car has not yet been registered in the EPTS system (relevant for cars purchased before 2021).
• 🔧 Technical failure on the side of the traffic police or State Services (try to repeat the request after 24 hours).
• 📝 Error when completing documents (for example, the VIN code was incorrectly specified during registration).

⚠️ Attention: If you see a message "EPTS not found", but the car was registered after 2021, contact the traffic police with an application for a data check. This may be a sign of fraud (for example, duplicate VIN code).

3. Search for an EPTS number in the “State Services Auto” mobile application

Mobile application Public services Auto (available for Android and iOS) is often updated faster than the web version of the portal. Here you can not only find the EPTS number, but also download it in PDF format or send it by email.

How to find a number in the application:

1. Download and install the application from Google Play or App Store.
2. Log in using the same account as on the State Services portal.
3. Go to the tab My cars and select the desired vehicle.
4. Tap on the document icon (📄) next to the inscription Electronic PTS.
5. The number will be indicated at the top of the screen under the QR code.

Benefits of the application:

• 📲 Data is updated in real time (no delays like on the website).
• 🔒 You can download the EPTS in PDF and print it if necessary.
• 📌 There is a function to send a document by email or messenger.

Please note: the application displays full 17-digit EPTS number, while in some documents (for example, in the STS) an abbreviated version may be indicated. Always use the full number for checks and transactions.

4. How to find out the EPTS number by the VIN code of the car

If you do not have access to State Services or documents are lost, the EPTS number can be found by VIN code through official and third-party services. This method works even for cars purchased second-hand, if the previous owner did not hide the information.

Method 1: Through the traffic police website

1. Go to vehicle check page.
2. Enter the VIN code of your car (located in the STS, on the body or under the windshield).
3. Enter the captcha and click Request a review.
4. Find the block in the search results Information about EPTS — his number will be indicated there.

Method 2: Through history checking services

Some paid services such as Autocode, CarVertical or Carfax, display the EPTS number in the report. However, this information may not be relevant if the vehicle has recently changed hands. The cost of the report is from 300 to 1000 rubles.

Service	Cost of the report	Does it show the EPTS number?	Data relevance
Autocode	349–999 ₽	Yes	Updated every 1–2 weeks
CarVertical	599–1499 ₽	Yes (in extended report)	Updated once a month
Traffic police (official website)	Free	Yes	Real time data
Carfax	from 990 ₽	No (US/Europe only)	Not relevant for the Russian Federation

⚠️ Attention: If you see a message when checking by VIN code "EPTS not found", but the car is registered after 2021, this may mean that:

• 📌 The data has not yet been entered into the database (relevant for cars purchased less than a month ago).
• 🚨 The car is listed as stolen or has problems with documents.
• 🔧 There was an error in the VIN code (check the symbols on the body and in the STS).

What to do if the VIN code does not pass verification?

If the system gives an error when entering the VIN code, try:

1. Make sure that you are entering the VIN (17 characters, no spaces), and not the body or chassis number.

2. Check the symbols for typos (the letters I, O, Q are often confused with the numbers 1, 0).

3. If the VIN on the body and in the documents does not match, this is a reason to contact the traffic police with an application to check the car for alteration of numbers.

5. Where else can you find an EPTS number: alternative methods

If the standard methods don't work, try these options:

• 📧 Letter from the traffic police: After registering the car, a letter with the EPTS number and a link to download the document should have been sent to your email (specified during registration). Check the folders "Spam" and "Inbox" over the last 2–3 years.
• 🏦 Bank (for car loan): If the car is purchased on credit, the bank may keep a copy of the EPTS. Contact the branch with your passport and loan agreement.
• 🔧 Car showroom or dealer: If the car is new, the dealer is required to provide the EPTS number upon request. Write an official letter to the salon's email asking for data.
• 📑 Notary (for inheritance or donation): If the car was received by inheritance or gift, the EPTS number may be indicated in the notarial documents.

If the number is lost or does not appear in any of the sources:

1. Contact traffic police with an application to restore access to EPTS. You will need a passport and STS.
2. Write a request via appeal to State Services (section "Complaints and suggestions").
3. If the car was recently purchased, contact the previous owner (via DCP) and request a copy of the EPTS.

6. Common mistakes when searching for an EPTS number and how to avoid them

Many car owners encounter difficulties when finding an EPTS number due to common mistakes. Here are the most common of them:

• 🔍 They confuse the EPTS number with the PTS number: Old cars (until 2021) may have both a paper PTS and an EPTS. The electronic passport number always begins with letters XTA or WDD, while the paper PTS has the format XX XX XXXXX.
• 📱 They do not update data on State ServicesNote: After purchasing the vehicle, information may not be displayed for up to 5-7 days. Click the button "Update data" in the profile.
• 🚗 Using the wrong VIN code: Check the VIN on the body (under the hood or on the door pillar) and compare with what is indicated in the STS. Discrepancies are a reason to check the car.
• 📧 They ignore letters from the traffic police: The EPTS number is sent to the email specified during registration. If you changed your email, old emails may have been lost.

Another common problem is lack of access to public services. If your account is not verified, you will not be able to see the EPTS number. Solution:

1. Complete identity verification at service center (passport required).
2. Use the mobile app Public services Auto - sometimes it works without full verification.
3. Contact the MFC with your passport and STS to restore access.

If you bought a used car and the previous owner did not provide an EPTS number, this may be a sign of problems:

• 🚨 The car is in collateral (check via collateral register).
• 📝 The car has not been registered with the traffic police (relevant for cars purchased less than a month ago).
• 🔧 EPTS was canceled due to data errors (for example, incorrect VIN code).

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

If you have tried all the methods, but the EPTS number is still not found, follow this algorithm:

1. Check the status of the car at the traffic police
   

   Go to check page and enter the VIN code. If the results do not contain information about EPTS, but the car was registered after 2021, this is a reason to contact the traffic police.

2. Write a statement to the traffic police
   

   Contact any branch with your passport, STS and DCT. Submit an application for restoration of access to EPTS (sample can be downloaded here).

3. Check the car for restrictions
   

   If the EPTS is not in the database, the car may be wanted, under arrest, or have other problems. Order an extended check via Autocode or CarVertical.

4. Contact a lawyer
   

   If the traffic police refuses to provide information without explanation, this may be a sign of fraud. A lawyer will help you file a claim or lawsuit.

The period for restoring access to EPTS through the traffic police is up to 30 days. If the problem is not resolved, file a complaint addressed to the head of the local traffic police department or prosecutor's office.

⚠️ Attention: If you are offered to “restore” your EPTS number for money through third-party services, this is a scam. An EPTS number can only be obtained through official sources: the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, State Services, or from the previous owner (if there is a DCT).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about the EPTS number

Is it possible to drive without an EPTS number?

Yes, the EPTS number itself is not required to drive a car - it is only needed for registration actions (sale, re-registration, insurance). However, its absence may complicate these procedures. For example, without an EPTS number, some insurance companies refuse to issue compulsory motor liability insurance.

What is the difference between an EPTS number and a PTS number?

Number EPTS is a unique 17-digit code that is assigned to an electronic document in the traffic police database. Number PTS (paper) - this is the series and number of the form (format XX XX XXXXX). From 2021, new cars receive only EPTS, but older cars can have both documents.

Is it possible to change the EPTS number?

No, the EPTS number is tied to the vehicle’s VIN code and does not change during the entire service life of the car. even if the car changes several owners. An exception is an error in the traffic police database, which can be corrected through an application.

Where is the original EPTS stored?

The electronic PTS does not have a physical medium - it is stored in the traffic police database. However, you can download a PDF copy of it via Public services or mobile application Public services Auto. This copy has the same legal force as the original.

What to do if, when selling a car, the buyer demands the original EPTS?

It is enough to provide the EPTS number (the buyer can check it through the traffic police) and a printed copy of the document from the State Services. The original does not exist in physical form. If the buyer insists on a “paper” title, please note that starting from 2021, all new cars will be issued only with an EPTS.