Why do they change license plates and when is it required by law?
Replacing state registration plates (license plates) on a car is a procedure that every vehicle owner faces sooner or later. In contrast to the popular misconception that numbers are issued “forever”, the law provides for a number of cases when they are definitely needs to be changed. For example, in case of loss, damage or change of owner through inheritance. But there are also less obvious situations: changing the design of the car (for example, installing gas equipment), changing the category of the vehicle, or even a banal dilapidation signs when the numbers are no longer readable.
It is important to understand that driving with unreadable, damaged or unauthorizedly changed license plates is equivalent to an administrative offense under Art. 12.2 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The fine for this is from 500 to 5,000 rubles, and in some cases they can even confiscate numbers on the spot. Therefore, if your signs are bent, faded or cracked, it is better not to delay replacement. Moreover, the procedure itself takes no more than an hour if properly prepared.
Another common case is voluntary change of numbers at the request of the owner. For example, if you don’t like “bad” numbers or want to get a nice number through an auction. In this case, the procedure is the same, but the state duty may differ. All the nuances are discussed later in the article.
The current amount of state duty for replacing the license plate in 2026
From January 1, 2026, the amount of the state fee for replacing registration plates hasn't changed and amounts to:
- 📋 2,000 rubles — for the issuance of new state registration plates (including production)
- 📋 350 rubles — for making changes to the PTS (if required)
- 📋 500 rubles — for issuing a new vehicle registration certificate (if replaced along with numbers)
Important: if you change numbers voluntarily (for example, to get a beautiful combination), you will have to pay additionally auction participation fee — 1,500 rubles. And if you win the auction, then there’s also the cost of the “beautiful” rooms themselves, which can reach tens of thousands of rubles.
The amount of state duty is fixed throughout Russia and does not depend on the region or type of vehicle (car, motorcycle, truck). However there is benefits for certain categories of citizens:
- 👨🦽 Disabled people of groups 1 and 2 (50% discount)
- 👵 Veterans of the Great Patriotic War (100% discount)
- 👮 Military personnel who participated in hostilities (benefits under regional programs)
To take advantage of the benefit, you must provide supporting documents (disabled person's ID, veteran's ID, etc.) when submitting an application to the traffic police.
Methods of paying state fees: which is more convenient and cheaper
There are several ways to pay the state fee for replacing license plates. The most popular is through State Services portal, where it operates 30% discount until January 1, 2026. That is, instead of 2,000 rubles, you will pay 1,400 rubles. The discount is automatically applied when paying online through your personal account.
Other options:
- 🏦 Bank terminals (Sberbank, VTB, Tinkoff, etc.) - there is usually no commission, but you need to know the exact details of the traffic police.
- 💳 Online banking (mobile applications of Sberbank, Tinkoff, Alfa-Bank) - convenient if you already have a payment template.
- 🏛️ Cash desks in traffic police departments — there is no commission, but there are often queues.
- 📱 Mobile payments (QIWI, Yandex.Money, WebMoney) - commission up to 2%, but quickly.
When paying through government services or banking services be sure to keep your receipt (electronic or paper). It will need to be presented to the traffic police along with other documents. If a check is lost, you can restore it through your payment history at the bank or on the State Services portal.
⚠️ Attention: If you paid the state fee, but did not have time to submit documents to the traffic police within 3 months, the money will be lost. You'll have to pay again. The receipt is valid for 90 days from the date of payment.
☑️ Preparation for payment of state duty
Step-by-step instructions: how to replace license plates through the traffic police
The procedure for changing numbers consists of several stages. If you do everything correctly, you will receive new signs within 1-2 hours. Here step-by-step algorithm:
- Preparation of documents. You will need:
- 📄 Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation
- 📄 PTS (vehicle passport)
- 📄 Vehicle registration certificate (if available)
- 📄 Old license plates (if they are still available)
- 📄 Receipt for payment of state duty
- 📄 Power of attorney (if you are acting through a representative)
If you change numbers due to loss, you need to write a statement about the loss and provide a certificate from the police (if the numbers were stolen). Without this, you may be denied duplicates.
⚠️ Attention: If you change license plates on a car from tinted, the inspector may require it to be removed for inspection. Refusal to remove tint is grounds for refusal to replace plates.
Before going to the traffic police, check if they have equipment for making license plates. In some branches (especially in small towns), signs are made centrally, and you will have to wait up to 3 days.
Time frame for replacing license plates and possible delays
By law, replacing state registration plates must take no more than 1 working day. In most cases, the procedure takes 1–2 hours if:
- ✅ You have made an appointment in advance
- ✅ All documents are in order
- ✅ The traffic police department has equipment for making license plates
However, in practice there may be delays. Here are the typical reasons:
| Reason for delay | Waiting period | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Queue at the traffic police station | From 2 to 5 hours | Sign up early (from 8:00 to 10:00) |
| Equipment malfunction | Up to 3 working days | Call the traffic police in advance and check if the machine is working |
| Errors in documents | From 1 day (for correction) | Check PTS and STS for discrepancies |
| Lost old numbers | Up to 7 days (check against databases) | Report the loss in advance and obtain a police certificate |
If you urgently need new plates (for example, because you are selling a car), you can contact commercial centers "My Documents" (former MFC). There, the procedure can take up to 5 working days, but there are fewer queues. The service is paid - about 500-1,000 rubles in addition to the state duty.
The fastest way is to make an appointment with the traffic police through State Services in the morning and arrive with a full package of documents. In this case, you will receive new numbers in 1–2 hours.
Common mistakes when replacing license plates and how to avoid them
Even in such a simple procedure as changing license plates, car owners often make mistakes that result in them losing time and money. Here top 5 misses and how not to repeat them:
- 🚫 Paid the wrong fee. For example, instead of 2,000 rubles for new numbers, 500 rubles were transferred for changes to the PTS. Solution: Carefully check the purpose of payment on the receipt. On State Services, select the “Replacement of license plates” service.
- 🚫 We arrived without a car. The inspector is required to inspect the vehicle before changing plates. Solution: If the car is not drivable, call a tow truck or arrange for an inspector to visit your home (for a fee).
- 🚫 They did not check the traffic police details. An error in the BCC or the name of the recipient - and the money will go “nowhere”. Solution: Take the details from the official website of the traffic police in your region.
- 🚫 Forgot your old numbers. If you do not pass them, problems may arise with registration in the database. Solution: If the numbers are lost, write a statement about the loss.
- 🚫 We tried to replace numbers with unpaid fines. The inspector has the right to refuse service if you have debts on traffic police fines. Solution: Check the fines on the website traffic police and pay them in advance.
Another common problem is discrepancy between data in PTS and STS. For example, if the PTS indicates one color of the car, but in fact it has been repainted. In this case, the inspector may require an examination, which delays the process for several days.
What to do if the traffic police refused to replace the license plates?
If you are refused, request a written justification with reference to a specific clause of the law. Most often, refusals are associated with an incomplete package of documents or discrepancies in data. In this case, correct the errors and resubmit your application. If the refusal is illegal (for example, due to the personal quibbles of the inspector), you can appeal it through the higher management of the traffic police or the court.
Is it possible to drive with old license plates after submitting documents?
This question worries many car owners. The answer depends on the reason for the replacement:
- 🔄 If the numbers are damaged but readable — you can drive until you get new ones, but it’s better to avoid traveling so as not to run into a fine.
- 🚨 If numbers are lost or completely unreadable - You can’t drive. This is equivalent to driving without license plates (fine 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for 1–3 months).
- 📝 If you submitted documents through State Services or MFC — old numbers are valid until new ones are issued (usually 1–3 days). But it is better to have a copy of the application with you.
Traffic police officers have the right to stop the car and check whether replacement documents have been submitted. If yes, then they should not be fined. However, in practice, inspectors often issue fines “just in case,” so it’s better don't take risks and get new numbers as quickly as possible.
If you urgently need to use the car, and the license plates are not ready yet, you can register temporary transit numbers. They are valid for up to 20 days and cost 1,600 rubles (taking into account the discount on State Services - 1,120 rubles). To do this, you need to submit a separate application to the traffic police.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about replacing license plates
Is it possible to replace license plates without the owner using a power of attorney?
Yes, but there must be a power of attorney notarized and contain a clause on the right to replace registration plates. A regular handwritten power of attorney will not work. The authorized representative will also need his passport and a copy of your passport.
What to do if the new numbers arrived with defects (crooked, with errors)?
In this case, you need to immediately contact the inspector who issued the numbers and demand a replacement. Defective plates must be replaced free within 1–2 days. If the inspector refuses, write a complaint addressed to the head of the traffic police department.
Is it possible to keep old numbers when replacing?
No, when replacing old numbers definitely give up to the traffic police and disposed of. The exception is if you change the numbers voluntarily (for example, to beautiful ones), and the old ones are still suitable for use. In this case, you can keep them, but they will become invalid.
How much does it cost to replace plates on a motorcycle or trailer?
State duty amount does not depend on the type of vehicle. To replace license plates on a motorcycle, trailer or truck, you will pay the same 2,000 rubles (1,400 rubles when paying through State Services).
Is it possible to pay the state fee for replacing plates in installments?
No, state duty is paid at one time. However, some banks (for example, Sberbank or Tinkoff) offer credit cards with a grace period that can be used for payment.