Selling a car while keeping the license plates is a procedure that interests many owners. Especially if the numbers have beautiful combination of numbers, historical value or simply familiar after many years of use. In 2026, legislation allows you to keep the numbers during a transaction, but to do this you need to strictly follow the traffic police regulations and take into account several nuances.

In this article we will look at all legal ways keep the numbers for yourself, including step-by-step instructions, required documents, costs and deadlines. You will learn how to properly complete the transaction in order to avoid problems with the new owner and not break the law. And also - what hidden risks may arise if little things are not taken into account when re-registering.

Important: the procedure for saving license plates differs from the standard sale of a car, and therefore requires additional steps. If you plan to sell your car and keep the license plates, start preparing in advance - this will save time and nerves.

Is it possible to legally leave the license plate number when selling a car?

Yes, since 2013 in Russia there has been a rule that allows you to preserve state registration plates when selling a vehicle. This is stated in Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 605 (clause 33.1) and is confirmed by the practice of the traffic police. However, there are key conditions:

  • 🔹 The numbers must be valid (not lost, not damaged, not subject to replacement by law).
  • 🔹 The car must not have restrictions on registration actions (arrest, bail, unpaid fines).
  • 🔹 The new owner must agree to purchase the car without numbers (this is fixed in the purchase and sale agreement).
  • 🔹 You must deregister your car yourself before handing it over to the buyer.

If at least one of the conditions is not met, the traffic police will refuse to save the license plates. For example, if there are hanging on a car transit numbers or it is pledged to the bank, the procedure will become impossible.

It is also worth considering that the saved numbers can only be used on another car registered in your name. Transfer them to a third party or sell them separately from the car prohibited - this is considered fraud (Article 159.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

📊 Have you already tried saving license plates when selling a car?
Yes, it worked
Yes, but they refused
No, but I plan to
No and I don't plan to

Step-by-step instructions: how to save numbers when selling

The process of saving numbers consists of three key stages: preparation of documents, deregistration of the car while preserving the marks and re-registration to the buyer. Let's look at each step in detail.

1. Preparation of documents

Before visiting the traffic police, check the availability of the following documents:

  • 📄 Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation (original).
  • 📄 PTS (vehicle passport) - without any notes on bail or arrest.
  • 📄 Vehicle registration certificate (STS).
  • 📄 Sales and purchase agreement (if the car has already been sold) or application for deregistration (if the sale has not yet taken place).
  • 💳 Receipt for payment of state duty (350 rubles for saving numbers).

If the car has not yet been sold, you can first deregister it while keeping the numbers, and then conclude a deal. This is convenient if a buyer has not yet been found, but you already want to secure the numbers for yourself.

2. Deregistration of the car while maintaining the license plates

This stage takes place in any traffic police department (not necessarily at the place of registration). Algorithm of actions:

  1. Submit an application to deregister the vehicle with registration plates retained (a sample can be taken on site or downloaded from the website traffic police).
  2. Present the package of documents (see above) and the paid receipt.
  3. The traffic police officer will check the data, deregister the car and issue:
    • 📋 Certificate of deregistration (for the buyer).
    • 📋 Room Acceptance Certificate (for you - confirms that the signs are reserved for you).

Important: after this stage the car cannot be used - it will not have valid numbers. If you have not yet found a buyer, the car will have to be transported by tow truck or registered transit numbers (cost - 1,600 rubles).

☑️ Documents for saving numbers

Done: 0 / 5

3. Re-registration of the car to the buyer

Now you can transfer the car to the new owner. To do this:

  1. Conclude purchase and sale agreement (in 3 copies: for you, the buyer and the traffic police). Be sure to indicate in the contract that the car is being transferred without state registration plates.
  2. Give the buyer:
    • 🔑 Car keys.
    • 📄 PTS with your signature in the “Previous owner” column.
    • 📄 Certificate of deregistration (issued to you by the traffic police).
  • The buyer must independently register the car within 10 days (from the moment the contract is signed).

    • After this, the procedure is completed: the numbers remain yours, and the car goes to the new owner with new signs.

    💡

    Saved plates can only be used on another vehicle registered in your name. Transferring them to third parties is prohibited by law.

    How much does it cost to keep plates when selling a car?

    The cost of the procedure consists of state duties and additional expenses (if required). Current tariffs for 2026:

    Service Cost (₽) Notes
    Saving registration plates 350 Paid when submitting an application to the traffic police.
    Transit numbers (if necessary) 1 600 Needed if the car will be driven without permanent license plates.
    Production of new numbers for the buyer 2 000 The buyer pays upon registration.
    Tow truck (if the car is not running) from 1 500 The cost depends on the distance to the traffic police station.

    Total minimum cost for the seller - 350 rubles (if the car is transferred to the buyer immediately after deregistration). If transit numbers or a tow truck are required, costs will increase to 2,000–3,500 rubles.

    Tip: if you plan to soon buy a new car, the saved numbers can be transferred to it free (no duty will be charged). To do this, when registering a new vehicle, indicate in the application that you want to use previously saved signs.

    💡

    If the buyer agrees to pay part of the costs (for example, transit numbers), document this in the purchase and sale agreement to avoid disputes.

    Deadlines for storing numbers and possible delays

    In an ideal scenario, the procedure takes 1–2 days:

    • 🕒 Deregistration — 1 hour (when recording via Public services You can choose a convenient time).
    • 🕒 Drawing up a purchase and sale agreement - 30 minutes.
    • 🕒 Registration by the buyer - up to 10 days (but this does not affect you).

    However, in practice, the time frame may increase due to:

    • ⚠️ Queues at the traffic police — in some regions, registration is available only after 1–2 weeks.
    • ⚠️ Problems with documents — if the PTS contains notes about arrest or bail, the procedure will have to be suspended.
    • ⚠️ Technical problems - for example, the equipment for checking numbers does not work.

    To speed up the process:

    • 🔹 Sign up for the traffic police via Public services - this reduces waiting time.
    • 🔹 Check it out availability of fines in advance (on the website traffic police). Unpaid fines block registration actions.
    • 🔹 If the car is pledged, you will receive permission from the bank for deregistration (this may take up to 5 days).
    What to do if the traffic police refused to save the license plates?

    If you are refused, ask for written reasons. Frequent reasons: unpaid fines, vehicle seizure or mismatch of numbers with the database. In this case, eliminate the reason (pay fines, remove the encumbrance) and resubmit the documents.

    Common mistakes and how to avoid them

    Even if the instructions are strictly followed, owners often make mistakes that lead to traffic police refusal or a dispute with the buyer. Let's look at typical mistakes:

    ⚠️ Attention! If you deregistered the car while keeping the license plates, but did not sell it within 6 months, the numbers will be cancelled. They will have to be handed over to the traffic police or registered for a new vehicle.

    Error 1: Failure to indicate in the contract that the car is being sold without license plates

    If the purchase and sale agreement does not stipulate that the car is transferred without registration plates, the buyer may require you to hand over the numbers. In this case, you will either have to give up the numbers or terminate the deal through the court.

    How to avoid: In the “Special Conditions” section of the contract, add the following clause: "The vehicle is transferred without state registration plates, which are retained by the Seller in accordance with Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 605."

    Mistake 2: Selling a car with transit license plates

    If you have issued transit numbers, but did not manage to sell the car before the expiration of their period (20 days), you will have to either extend the transit or register the car back. Otherwise its exploitation will be illegal.

    How to avoid: Plan your sale so that transit numbers are not needed. Or immediately agree with the buyer on the date of the transaction.

    Mistake 3: Unverified encumbrances on the car

    If the car is pledged or under arrest, the traffic police will not allow it to be deregistered. Check this in advance through the service car history checks.

    💡

    Before selling, make copies of all documents (PTS, STS, contract) and save them in cloud storage. This will help quickly resolve disputes with the buyer or the traffic police.

    Is it possible to sell saved numbers separately?

    No, Sale of license plates separately from the car is prohibited by law. According to Art. 159.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, this qualifies as fraud and is punished:

    • 💰 Fine up to 120,000 rubles.
    • 🏢 Correctional work until 1 year.
    • 🚔 By arrest before 4 months.

    However, on the Internet there are often offers for “selling beautiful rooms”. How does this work in practice?

    ⚠️ Attention! If you transfer your saved numbers to a third party (even for free), this is considered a sale. The traffic police can cancel the signs and initiate a case of fraud.

    Legal ways to “get rid” of saved numbers:

    • 🔄 Transfer them to another car registered in your name.
    • 🗑️ Hand it over to the traffic police (if they are no longer needed).
    • 🎁 Give as a gift to a close relative along with the car (but this should be formalized as a donation of a vehicle, not a license plate).

    If you find a buyer who is willing to pay for "nice" plates, the only legal option is to sell him a car with these plates, and then deregister the car and keep the plates for yourself. But this is risky: if the buyer realizes that the transaction was fictitious, he can challenge it in court.

    What to do with saved license plates after selling a car?

    After successfully saving the numbers you have 3 options their uses:

    1. Transfer to a new car

    If you buy another car, you can transfer the saved numbers to it. To do this:

    1. Buy and register a new car.
    2. In the registration application, indicate what you want to use previously saved characters.
    3. Present room acceptance certificate (issued when deregistering an old car).

    Number porting fee not charged.

    2. Storing numbers “in reserve”

    You can store numbers indefinitely, but remember:

    • 🔹 If within 6 months If you do not transfer them to another car, the traffic police may cancel the signs.
    • 🔹 Numbers must be stored in integrity - if they are damaged, they will have to be returned.

    3. Submitting license plates to the traffic police

    If the license plates are no longer needed, they can be returned to any traffic police department. To do this:

    1. Write an application for surrender of registration plates.
    2. Show your passport and room acceptance certificate.
    3. A traffic police officer will accept the signs and issue a supporting document.

    Renting out rooms free.

    💡

    Saved numbers do not have an expiration date, but they will be canceled if you do not use them within 6 months on another vehicle.

    FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

    Is it possible to keep the plates if the car is on credit?

    No. If the car is pledged to the bank, it is impossible to deregister it without the permission of the lender. You need:

    1. Repay the loan and receive from the bank mortgage note with a note on the fulfillment of obligations.
    2. Remove the encumbrance at the traffic police (this takes up to 3 days).
    3. Only after this can you save the numbers.

    Banks rarely give permission to deregister before the loan is fully repaid.

    How many times can you save the same numbers?

    The law does not limit the number of saves. You can:

    • Deregister the car and keep the license plates.
    • Transfer them to a new car.
    • Deregister the new car and keep the same numbers again.

    The main thing is that the numbers remain valid (not damaged, not lost).

    Is it possible to keep the license plates if the car is stolen?

    No. If the car is on the wanted list, any registration actions with it prohibited. First you need:

    1. Remove the car from the search list (after its return).
    2. Restore documents (PTS, STS).
    3. Only then can you save the numbers.

    If the car is not found, the license plates are automatically canceled 6 months after the theft.

    What happens if you don’t sell the car after deregistration?

    If you deregistered a car while keeping the license plates, but did not sell it, you have 2 options:

    1. Register the car back (with the same or new license plates).
    2. Recycle the car (if it is not drivable).

    Operate a car without license plates it's impossible - this may result in a fine 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights to 1–3 months (Article 12.2 of the Administrative Code).

    Is it possible to keep the plates when donating a car?

    Yes, the procedure is the same as when selling. Need:

    1. Deregister a car while keeping the license plates.
    2. Check out gift agreement (also indicate in it that the vehicle is being transferred without license plates).
    3. Give the recipient the PTS and deregistration certificate.

    The state fee for maintaining numbers remains the same - 350 rubles.