The issue of legality of installation of towing device (TSU) worries many motorists planning transportation of trailers or bicycles. Often owners do not know whether it is necessary to reflect changes in the design in the documents and where exactly in the PTS indicated the farcop on the car. Legal confusion arises from frequent changes in the regulations of the Customs Union and internal orders of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
In fact, the procedure depends on the specific model of your car and the type of equipment being installed. In some cases, it is enough to simply have a certificate of conformity with you, in others - you will need a full registration of changes in the traffic police with the introduction of data into the traffic police. Vehicle passport. Ignoring these requirements can lead to serious problems when communicating with traffic police inspectors or during a technical inspection.
In this article, we will analyze in which graph the mark is placed, when the farcop is considered a change in design, and when it is a regular element. You will learn how to properly prepare documents to avoid fines and problems with the sale of cars in the future.
Is the installation of the farcop a design change?
Before looking for a place to record in documents, it is necessary to understand the legal status of your equipment. According to the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union TR CU 018/2011, the installation of a traction coupling device (TCC) refers to changes in the design of the vehicle. However, there is an important exception that is often overlooked.
If the manufacturer of the car in its documentation (operation manual) provided for the possibility of installing a farcop on this model, and you use certified equipment for this modification, then it is not necessary to coordinate changes in NAMI. In this case, certificate The farcop is equivalent to the manufacturer's permit.
The situation changes dramatically if:
- 🚗 The model of the car does not provide for the installation of TSU by the manufacturer.
- 📜 You do not have a certificate of conformity for the installed equipment.
- 🔧 The porcelain is installed by artisanal method or is not certified for this brand.
In the cases listed above, the installation of the farcop is considered an illegal change in the design. It is then that the need arises for a complete registration procedure, including examination and laboratory tests. Only then is the record in the documents made.
⚠️ Attention: If you installed a farcop without a certificate of conformity, the traffic police inspector has the full right to issue a fine under part 1 of article 12.5 of the administrative code of the Russian Federation and issue an order to dismantle the equipment.
In which column PTS is marked about TSU
If you have passed the legalization procedure or originally had the right to install, the information about the farcop must be documented. Many drivers mistakenly look for a special column “Towing device” in the front of the PTS. There is no such graph in the standard form.
All data on the changes in the design, including the installed farcop, are entered in the section "Special marks". In paper PTS, this is usually a field with the number 24 (in some forms, the numbering may differ, look for free space or the stamp "Special marks"). In electronic PTS (EPTS), information is reflected in the relevant status and restriction section.
The record is made by the traffic police officer or the technical inspection point (if the procedure is simplified) and must contain:
- 📝 Date of change.
- 🆔 Certificate of conformity of design (SCCT) number.
- 🏢 Name of the testing laboratory that issued the document.
In parallel with the PTS, data are also entered into Certificate of registration of the vehicle (CTC). In the plastic card of the CTS in the column "Special marks" will also appear a record of the presence of TSU. The absence of this record in the actual presence of the farcope is grounds for suspicion from the inspector, even if you have a certificate on hand.
When buying a used car, be sure to check the entry in the column "Special marks" with the actual presence of the farcope. If the farcop is, and there is no record - require the seller to legalize the installation or reduce the price.
Package of documents for registration of the farcope in the traffic police
In order for the record to appear in the PTS legally, it is necessary to collect a certain package of documents. The process may seem bureaucratically complicated, but it ensures the safety and legal purity of your vehicle. Start by looking for certified equipment.
The basis of the package is Certificate of conformity to the traction coupling device. This document is issued by the manufacturer of the farcope or its official distributor. The certificate must indicate that this vehicle is allowed for use in the Customs Union and is suitable for your model of the car (VIN code or model range is indicated).
You'll also need:
- 📄 The vehicle passport (PTS) is the original.
- 🪪 Certificate of registration of the vehicle (CTC).
- 🛒 Documents confirming the purchase of the farcope (check, contract of sale, invoice).
- 📝 Application for changes in the design of the vehicle (form is submitted to the traffic police).
It is important to understand the difference between a simple installation and a complex registration. If your car did not provide a farcop, you will need to undergo preliminary technical examination, install equipment, then undergo a test in the laboratory and only then go to the traffic police for final registration and making an entry in the laboratory. "Special marks".
| Type of equipment | EAC Certificate | PTS entry | Risk of fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staff (catalogue) | Mandatory. | Not required* | Low. |
| Certified analogue | Mandatory. | Preferably. | Medium. |
| Undocumented / Homemade | Absent. | Impossible. | High-pitched |
⚠️ Attention: A copy of the certificate of conformity certified by the seller must always lie in the glove compartment of the car along with a copy of the check. The inspector is not obliged to take your word for it, but is obliged to accept certified documents.
Where can I get a duplicate certificate if it is lost?
Contact the official dealer of your car brand or find the section “Documentation” on the manufacturer’s website. Often scans of certificates are laid out in the open access on the model of the device. If the farcop was bought with hands, try to find the seller's contacts through the online store by article.
Should I change the CTC when installing the CTC?
A common question: is the entry in the PTS enough, or should I change the plastic card of the CTS? The answer is unequivocal: it is necessary to change the CTS if the place in the column "Special Marks" is over or if you go through the procedure of full registration of structural changes through the traffic police.
With a simplified scheme (when the farcop is certified for this model), many owners are limited to having a certificate on their hands. However, to exclude any questions when selling a car or going abroad, it is better to get a new CTC with a mark. It costs the state fee (500 or 1500 rubles depending on the type of document), but removes questions about legality.
The process of replacing the ITS looks like this:
- You come to any department of the traffic police (registration unit).
- Provide the car for inspection (sometimes not required if there is a laboratory act).
- You are submitting a package of documents with a statement.
- You get a new CTC, where in the column
"Special marks"It will be indicated: "Installed TSU, SSKTS No...."
In the Electronic PTS (EPTS), no physical replacement of the document is required, the status changes in the database. You can get an extract from the EPP, which will reflect the current condition of the car and the availability of additional equipment.
☑️ Documents for the traffic police
Fines for unregistered farcope
Ignoring the registration requirements of the farcope can lead to financial losses. If the traffic police inspector stops you and finds the installed TSU, he will check the documents. The absence of a record in the PTS / CTS or a certificate of conformity is interpreted as driving a vehicle with malfunctions or changes not registered in the prescribed manner.
The punishment is provided for by part 1 of article 12.5 of the administrative code of the Russian Federation. The fine is 500 rubles. However, the amount of the penalty is not the biggest problem. The inspector has the right to issue an order (requirement) to eliminate the malfunction. This means that you will either have to register the farcop as soon as possible or dismantle it.
If you ignore the order and again get caught with an unregistered farcope, the fine can be increased, and in the worst case - the car can be detained and placed in a parking lot until the cause of detention is eliminated. In addition, in case of an accident, the presence of an unregistered farcope can be regarded by the insurance company as a violation of operating rules, which will be the reason for refusal to pay or regress.
The table below shows the possible scenarios and implications:
| Situation | Documents | Action by the inspector | Effects of consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Farcope is there, the certificate is there. | Copy in the car | VIN testing | No claims |
| There's a porcelain. No papers. | Absent. | Fines issued | 500 rubles. + prescription |
| The farcoop is there, the PTS record is there. | STS marked | Data reconciliation | No claims |
⚠️ Attention: When selling a car, the presence of an unregistered farcope can cause the buyer to refuse the transaction or to demand a lower price, since the new owner will have to solve problems with the traffic police on his own.
The presence of a valid certificate of conformity on the hands of the driver is equivalent to the presence of an entry in the PTS for most situations on the roads of the Russian Federation, but for complete legal purity, an entry in the "Special Marks" is preferable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to remove the porcelain after use?
Remove the farcop every time after operation is not required, if it is installed legally and has the appropriate documents. However, if the farcop is removable and you don’t plan to use it for a long time, dismantling may be advisable for aerodynamics and appearance, but there is no legal obligation to do so.
Can I register the porcelain after installation?
Yes, changes can be registered after the fact. To do this, you will need to undergo the procedure of making changes to the design: get a preliminary examination opinion (if required), install a TSU (if not already worth it), get a security check protocol and then contact the traffic police to make an entry in the PTS.
What if there is no room in the PTS for a mark on the farcope?
If the paper PTS ran out of free fields in the column "Special marks", you need to get a new PTS. This is a standard procedure for replacing a document, which is carried out in the traffic police simultaneously with the registration of design changes.
Is it required for a car with a car?
The presence of the farcope does not change the frequency of the technical inspection. However, when passing TO, the operator will necessarily check the reliability of the TSU fastening and the availability of documents for it. If the farcop is wobbly or has no markings, the diagnostic card may be denied.
Does the PHC affect insurance?
The farcop itself does not affect the cost of the CTP policy, since it is not a mechanism that increases the risk (such as engine power). However, if the farcop causes an accident (for example, it will catch a pedestrian), the insurance company can pay compensation, but then has the right to file a recourse claim if the installation was illegal.