Production of license plates for a car: legal methods, prices and requirements of the traffic police

State registration plates (license plates) are a mandatory attribute of any vehicle, without which the operation of the vehicle on public roads is prohibited. However, not all drivers know how to make a license plate correctly, where this can be done legally and what documents are required for this. In 2026, the procedure for obtaining license plates has undergone changes: new plate formats have appeared, requirements for materials have become more stringent, and the list of organizations entitled to produce them has expanded.

Many car owners are faced with the need to replace lost, damaged or outdated license plates. Some people buy a used car without registration plates, others need duplicates after theft or an accident. Anyway production of license plates must be carried out strictly in accordance with current legislation - otherwise the risk of running into a fine or even deprivation of rights increases significantly.

In this article, we will analyze all the legal ways to produce license plates, tell you about the cost of the service, list the necessary documents and warn about common mistakes that can lead to problems with the traffic police. You will also learn how to check the authenticity of manufactured license plates and what to do if you are denied them.

Where can you legally produce license plates in 2026?

From January 1, 2026 production of state registration plates Not only traffic police departments, but also accredited private organizations can deal with this. This simplified the process for car owners, but also increased the risk of running into scammers. Here are the official ways to get numbers:

🔹 Traffic police (MREO) - the traditional and most reliable option. Here you are guaranteed to get rooms that meet all standards, but you will have to spend time queuing and completing paperwork. In 2026, most regions will have pre-registration via Public services, which reduces waiting time.

🔹 Accredited private companies — Recently, some commercial organizations have received the right to produce license plates. Their list is published on the website State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of Russia. The advantage is a fast production time (often on the same day of application), but the cost may be higher than in government agencies.

🔹 MFC (Multifunctional centers) — in some regions, through the MFC you can order the production of duplicate numbers. The service is not available in all branches, so please check the availability by phone or on the website in advance. MFC in your region.

⚠️ Attention: The production of license plates in uncertified workshops or “garage” conditions is administrative offense (Article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). Using such numbers may result in a fine of up to 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for a period of 1 to 3 months.

What documents are needed to produce license plates?

The list of documents depends on the situation: you are receiving numbers for the first time, restoring lost ones, or making duplicates. In 2026, the following requirements apply:

📄 For new license plates (when purchasing a car or first registration):

1. Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.
2. PTS (vehicle passport) or electronic PTS (e-PTS).
3. Purchase and sale agreement (if the car was purchased recently).
4. MTPL policy (mandatory from 2023 even for the production of license plates).
5. Application for vehicle registration (to be completed on site).

📄 For duplicates (if lost, damaged or stolen):

• 📋 Owner’s passport.
• 📄 Vehicle registration certificate (STS) or a copy thereof.
• 📝 Statement of loss/damage (sample can be downloaded on the website traffic police).
• 🚔 Certificate from the police (if the numbers are stolen).

🔹 Important: If you are producing numbers through a private company, check with them for a complete list of documents - some organizations may require additional information (for example, about the absence of restrictions on registration actions).

⚠️ Attention: If you are lost both numbers and STS, first restore the registration certificate - without it, making duplicate numbers is impossible!

How much does it cost to produce license plates in 2026?

The cost of manufacturing state registration plates is regulated by the state, but prices in private companies may vary. Current tariffs for 2026:

Service type	Cost at the traffic police (rub.)	Cost in private companies (RUB)
Production of a new set of numbers (2 pcs.)	2 000	2 500 – 3 500
Making a duplicate of one number	1 000	1 200 – 1 800
Production of license plates for motorcycles (1 pc.)	1 500	1 800 – 2 500
Production of transit numbers	1 600	2 000 – 3 000
Expedited production (in 1 day)	Not available	+500 – +1,500 to the base price

💡 Advice: If you produce license plates for the traffic police, you can pay the state fee at a discount 30% through the portal Public services. To do this, select the “Electronic service” option when filling out the application.

⚠️ Attention: Some private companies offer "premium" numbers with "beautiful" number combinations. The law does not prohibit the selection of certain numbers, but the cost of such rooms can reach 10,000–15,000 rubles per set. Check to see if this service is included in the company’s official price list.

Requirements for license plates in 2026: sizes, materials, fonts

In 2026, new standards for state registration plates, approved by order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 950 from 12/28/2023. Basic requirements:

📏 Dimensions and shape:

• 🚗 For passenger cars: 520 × 112 mm (standard format).
• 🏍️ For motorcycles: 245 × 130 mm (single line number).
• 🚛 For trucks and trailers: 370 × 210 mm (square format).

🎨 Colors and materials:

• 🟢Background: white (for civil vehicles), yellow (for commercial vehicles), black (for vintage cars over 30 years old).
• 🔤 Font: FE-Schrift (German standard, mandatory from 2026).
• 🛡️ Material: aluminum 1–1.2 mm thick with a protective coating against corrosion.
• 🔒 Protection: hologram and UV tags (required for all numbers manufactured after 01/01/2026).

🔍 What does the traffic police check during inspection?:

1. Conformity of font and size to the standard.
2. Availability of protective elements (holograms, UV tags).
3. No mechanical damage (chips, cracks).
4. The clarity of the printed image (numbers and letters must be readable from 20 meters).

From July 1, 2026, all new license plates must have a QR code containing information about vehicle registration. Old numbers without QR are valid until they are replaced.

What happens if the numbers do not meet the standard?

If, during the inspection, the traffic police inspector reveals that the numbers do not comply with current requirements (for example, an incorrect font or the absence of a hologram), you will be issued a fine of 500 rubles (Part 1 of Article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). If the malfunction is not corrected within 10 days, the fine may be increased to 5,000 rubles or replaced by deprivation of rights for up to 3 months.

Step-by-step instructions: how to produce license plates through the traffic police

If you decide to obtain numbers through the State Inspectorate, follow these instructions:

📌 Step 1. Preparing documents

Collect a package of documents (see section above). If you are restoring lost numbers, do not forget to take a police certificate (if stolen) or a statement of loss.

📌 Step 2. Make an appointment

Make an appointment at the nearest traffic police department through:

• 🌐 Portal Public services (section "Vehicle registration").
• 📞 Telephone hotline of the traffic police in your region.
• 🏛️ Self-service terminal in the MREO department.

📌 Step 3. Payment of state duty

Pay the state fee for the production of license plates:

• 💳 Via Public services (with 30% discount).
• 🏦 In a bank (without discount).
• 💰 In the terminal at the traffic police department.

📌 Step 4. Submitting documents and obtaining numbers

At the appointed time, come to the traffic police with documents and a payment receipt. After verification, you will be given new numbers. Production time in the traffic police - 3–5 working days (in some regions - up to 10 days).

📌 Step 5. Installing license plates on the car

You can install the license plates yourself or use an installation service (usually free from the traffic police). After installation, the inspector will check that the installation is correct and meets standards.

Private companies: how to avoid scammers

Production of license plates in accredited private companies is convenient, but fraught with risks. Here's how to choose a reliable contractor:

✅ Check accreditation:

The list of official companies is published on the website Traffic police in your region. If the organization is not in the register - these are scammers.

✅ Please note the price:

Cost is too low (eg. 500 rubles per set) is a sign of a fake. Average price in legal companies - 2,500–3,500 rubles.

✅ Document requirements:

Real company will definitely require passport, PTS and STS. If they tell you that you can do without documents - go away.

✅ Room quality:

Check:

• 🔍 Availability of hologram and UV marks.
• 📏 Font compliance with standard FE-Schrift.
• 🛡️ Quality of material (aluminum, no burrs).

⚠️ Attention: If you are offered to make numbers without registration with the traffic police (for example, “for driving around the country”), know that this fake. The use of such license plates is equivalent to driving without registration plates and is punishable a fine of 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights (Part 2 of Article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).

What to do if license plates are refused?

Refusal to issue license plates is a rare but possible situation. Main reasons and solutions:

🚫 Reason 1: Incomplete package of documents

Solution: Find out what document is missing and provide it. Most often forgotten OSAGO policy or police certificate (in case of theft).

🚫 Reason 2: There are restrictions on the car

Solution: Check for site restrictions traffic police (section "Checking the vehicle"). If a restriction is imposed by a court or bailiffs, it must be removed before the numbers are produced.

🚫 Reason 3: Numbers have already been produced, but not received

Solution: Check with the traffic police to see if you have unclaimed license plates. Perhaps they were made earlier, but you did not pick them up.

🚫 Reason 4: Suspicion of forgery of documents

Solution: Contact the traffic police with the original documents for verification. If the error is confirmed, you will be given numbers.

⚠️ Attention: If you are refused without explanation, demand written refusal with justification. With this document you can appeal the decision to a higher authority or court.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the production of license plates

Is it possible to make license plates without a car?

Yes, but only if you are restoring lost numbers. New plates require the vehicle to be presented for VIN verification. An exception is the production of transit numbers for a newly purchased car (before registration).

How long does an order for production of numbers last?

The traffic police order is valid 30 days from the moment of payment. If you do not pick up the numbers within this period, you will have to pay again. In private companies, the period may vary (check when ordering).

Is it possible to choose a combination of numbers on the number?

Yes, but only from free options. The traffic police will offer you several combinations to choose from. In private companies you can sometimes order a “beautiful” room, but this will increase the cost.

What to do if there is a mistake (typo) on the number?

Contact the organization where the plates were made, with your passport and receipt. The error must be corrected free. If they refuse, write a complaint to the traffic police.

Is it possible to drive without license plates if they are in production?

No. Even if you have submitted documents for production, driving without license plates is prohibited. Exception - transit numbers (valid 20 days from the date of purchase of the car).