Direct visibility of symbols on the plate state-number This is the first point that the traffic police check when stopping a vehicle, and it is pollution or unreadability of signs that most often cause an administrative protocol. According to the current legislation of the Republic of Belarus, each road user is obliged to ensure the cleanliness of the license plate at any time of the day and in any weather conditions, since it is by these numbers and letters that the video recording system identifies violators. The absence of a clear image of at least one registration element is equated to driving without proper documents or with violations of installation rules, which entails serious financial consequences for the owner.
Car owners often underestimate the importance of properly mounting a sign, relying on the avos or seasonal decrease in traffic camera activity. However, automatic complexes PhotoScan and StrizhThe main roads of the country are equipped with them, they work all year round and fix even minimal pollution that covers part of the symbol. Ignoring the requirements for the condition of registration plates creates a situation where the driver may not even know about the fines issued until the forced recovery or blocking of accounts.
In addition to cleanliness, there are strict technical requirements for the plate itself and the place of its attachment, which are regulated by state standards of STB. Incorrect installation, the use of non-standard frames that cover the edges of symbols, or homemade fasteners can be the basis for a ban on further movement. Understanding all the nuances of marking and rules of operation of numbers is necessary for every motorist to avoid conflict situations on the road and unnecessary costs.
The numbering system in Belarus has passed several stages of reformation, and today you can find signs of different generations on the roads, each of which has its own structure and logic of coding the region. Knowing these features allows not only to identify the origin of the car, but also to verify its registration history through open databases. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to read the codes of the regions, how the new standards differ from the old ones and what actions should be taken if the state number is damaged or lost.
Standards and formats of license plates in Belarus
The main document regulating the appearance and technical characteristics of car numbers is the state standard. STB 914-2006. This regulation defines the size, font, color and material of the plates, ensuring their durability and readability in various operating conditions. Currently, the most common type is the format introduced after the 2004 reform, which consists of four digits and two letters of the Latin alphabet arranged in a certain order.
On the left side of the plate number must be placed a blue stripe with a width of 31 mm, containing the state flag of the Republic of Belarus and the international code of the country. BY. The presence of this lane is a mandatory requirement for leaving the territory of the countries that signed the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, although domestic versions without a flag are used for certain categories of equipment. The color scheme is also strictly regulated: for passenger cars, black font is used on a white background, for taxis - black on yellow, and for transit rooms - black on light blue.
The dimensions of the standard license plate for passenger cars are 520 mm in length and 112 mm in height, which corresponds to the European format. However, reduced or square formats may be used for motor vehicles, trailers and special equipment, which must also meet established standards for font height and line thickness. Using a frame that hides at least some of the letters, numbers or the blue stripe with the flag is considered a violation of traffic rules.
⚠️ Attention: Installation of decorative frames with darkening or narrowing of the visible area of the license plate is a direct violation of traffic rules and entails the imposition of a fine. The frame shall not overlap any element of the registration plate, including the restrictive lines.
The material of production of numbers should have reflective properties, which ensures their visibility in the dark when illuminating the headlights of other cars. The quality of printing and the depth of embossing the symbol are controlled at the manufacturer, so any attempts to independently correct the number, paint over or paste films are strictly prohibited and are easily detected by a visual inspection by a traffic police officer.
Decoding of region and series codes
One of the key functions of the state number is to identify the region of registration of the vehicle. In Belarus, the region code is indicated by the first two digits in the numerical part of the room, which allows you to quickly determine in which regional center or city the car was registered. This information is useful not only for police officers, but also for ordinary drivers who can draw conclusions about the car’s mileage or history.
The coding system covers all regions of the country and the city of Minsk, which has its own unique series. As the number of cars is constantly growing, some regions have already used all possible combinations of letters and numbers within their codes, which has led to the introduction of additional series or a change in the logic of the distribution of numbers. Below is a table of the main codes of the regions that are currently relevant.
| Region code | Territory of registration | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 01, 02, 03, 04 | d. Minsk | AB 1234 BY |
| 05, 06 | Brest region | AK 5678 BY |
| 07, 08 | Vitebsk region | BA 9012 BY |
| 09, 10 | Gomel region | BK 3456 BY |
| 11, 12 | Grodno region | CA 7890 BY |
| 13, 14 | Mogilev region | CB 1122 BY |
| 15, 16 | Minsk region | CC 3344 BY |
It should be noted that the distribution of series within one region can be conducted not strictly sequentially, but depending on the load of the registration units of the IREO. In addition, there are reserved series for government agencies, law enforcement agencies and the diplomatic corps that have distinctive features in spelling or color scheme. For example, the numbers of diplomatic missions have a red background and designation. CD or CC.
It is important for motorists to know that changing the region of residence of the owner does not require changing license plates if the car is not removed from the register. However, when selling a car, the buyer may wish to keep the old numbers or get new ones at the place of his registration, which will entail a change in the region code on the plate. The procedure for outweighing numbers between regions is regulated and requires the passage of a standard procedure for re-registration of a vehicle.
Rules for installation and fixing of registration plates
Proper installation of the state license plate is not just a formality, but a requirement of security and legislation. According to the traffic rules of the Republic of Belarus, the numbers must be fixed in specially designated places provided for by the design of the vehicle. For the front license plate, this is usually a bumper or a special bracket, and for the rear - a trunk lid, bumper or body door, depending on the type of car.
The fastening shall ensure the immobility of the registration plate and shall prevent it from swinging or turning during movement. The use of bolts, nuts or other elements that can damage the surface of the room or make it unreadable is not allowed. The best option is to use a standard fastener with plastic plugs or specialized frames that do not hide any element of the sign.
⚠️ Attention: It is forbidden to fasten the license plate in places where it can be closed by elements of the car structure (for example, a farcop, spare wheel, reversing headlight) or contaminated with exhaust gases. The angle of inclination of the registration plate relative to the vertical shall not exceed 15 degrees.
Particular attention should be paid to the lighting of the rear registration plate. At night, it should be clearly visible from a distance of at least 20 meters. For this, the design of the car should provide for the installation of lighting, which is in good condition. Lack of backlighting or using the wrong color lamps (e.g. red instead of white) is a common disorder that is easily captured by cameras.
Owners of cars with American or Japanese mounting system (narrow or offset holes) are recommended to use transition frames that allow you to set a European number without drilling additional holes in the body. However, in this case, the frame should not act beyond the dimensions of the number field and overlap the symbols. Homemade structures made of wire, tape or clamps can be regarded as a violation of the installation rules.
☑️ Checking the number setting
Liability for violations and fines
Violation of the rules of installation, operation or intentional concealment of state license plates entails administrative liability in accordance with the Code of Administrative Offences (CAO) of the Republic of Belarus. The degree of punishment depends on the severity of the offence committed and the existence of repeated violations during the year. The main motive for imposing strict sanctions is to ensure the identification of vehicles to maintain law and order on the roads.
The most common violation is driving a vehicle with unreadable, non-standardly installed or hidden license plates. Illegible means the impossibility of visual or automatic recognition of at least one sign. This can be caused by contamination, damage, paint-up or installation of special devices that distort the image (so-called "anti-camera" or "anti-radar" with IR LEDs).
The fine for such violations can range from 4 to 20 base units, and in some cases, especially if a repeat violation or attempt to conceal a number in order to avoid responsibility for more serious misconduct, the punishment may be stricter. In addition to a financial fine, the driver may be deprived of the right to drive a vehicle for up to one year. The exact amount of punishment is determined by the court or the traffic police officer depending on the circumstances of the case.
It is important to understand that the reference to weather conditions (snow, rain, dirt) is not an excuse for the driver. The law imposes the duty to maintain the cleanliness of license plates solely on the owner or the person driving the vehicle. Before starting the movement, the driver must wipe the numbers to ensure their readability. Ignoring this requirement is considered as deliberate action or criminal negligence.
Hidden cameras and fixation
Modern systems of fixation of violations are able to recognize numbers even in case of partial contamination or at a non-standard angle. The use of special sprays or films that supposedly hide the number from the flash is ineffective against new image processing algorithms and often leads to additional penalties for installing special devices.
Procedure for obtaining and replacing license plates
Obtaining new state license plates is required for the initial registration of a car, the purchase of a used car with the desire to change numbers, as well as in cases of loss, theft or damage to old plates. The procedure is carried out in the registration and examination units of the traffic police (MREO) at the place of residence of the owner or at the location of the vehicle. To pass the procedure, it is necessary to prepare a package of documents, including a passport, a certificate of registration of the vehicle (if it has already been registered), a purchase and sale agreement and an insurance policy.
The cost of production of license plates is established by state tariffs and may change. Currently, the price for a set of two rooms for a passenger car is fixed, but for urgency or additional services (for example, saving old numbers when re-registering) a separate fee may be charged. Payment is usually made through the system. ERIP or at the IREO cash register before submitting documents.
The production time of the rooms in standard mode is several hours, but in some cases, especially when ordering rare series or in remote areas, the wait can be delayed up to several days. The time interval between the delivery of old numbers and the receipt of new cars can be used only if there is a temporary permit or a corresponding mark in the passport issued by the traffic police officer.
If the license plate is damaged (for example, as a result of an accident or corrosion), the owner is obliged to contact the traffic police to replace it. Operating a car with a deformed, bent or cracked number is prohibited, as this makes it difficult to identify it. In the event of loss of one of the numbers (front or rear), the entire set is replaced to ensure uniformity and conformity of the series.
Retaining your number: When selling a car, you can keep your license plates for up to 180 days. To do this, you need to write an application to the IREO when deregistering or re-registration. This will allow you to set the usual numbers on the new car without going through the auction procedure or waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I drive with a dirty number in the winter?
No, you can't. The traffic rules oblige the driver to monitor the cleanliness of license plates at any time of the year. If the room is closed with snow, dirt or ice, it is equivalent to driving a vehicle with an unreadable number. Before traveling, you need to clear the license plates, otherwise you risk a fine.
What to do if a license plate is stolen?
In case of theft of a license plate, you must immediately contact the nearest police department to write a statement. After receiving the coupon-notification, you should contact the MREO GAI to obtain duplicate numbers. It is forbidden to drive without a number or with one number, even if you have already written a statement to the police.
Can I buy a beautiful room in Belarus?
Direct sale of "beautiful" numbers (with the same numbers or letters) through the traffic police is not officially made. Such numbers can be acquired by the owner accidentally during the standard registration or be bought from the previous owner of the car along with the car. There are informal intermediaries, but their activities are not regulated by the state and can be fraught with risks.
Do I need to change my room when changing my home?
No, when changing the place of residence (residence) within the same region or city, you do not need to change the license plates. The certificate of registration of the vehicle (passport) shall be marked with the corresponding note on the new address of the owner, and the numbers remain the same.
What is the penalty for installing a room in the cabin of the car?
Installation of the license plate inside the cabin (on a torpedo, behind the windshield) instead of the intended place on the bumper is a violation of the installation rules. This is equivalent to driving a vehicle in violation of the rules for installing license plates and entails the imposition of a fine of up to 4 base values, and in case of repeated violation - up to 20 base values.