The procedure for preserving the state registration plate (GRP) begins with the submission of an application to the traffic police on assigning new license plates to the car, since the current regulations do not allow you to "reserve" the current number without actually changing the plates on the vehicle. The owner must physically drive the car to the site for inspection, pay the state fee for the issuance of a new GRP and get new metal plates on his hands, leaving the old number stored in the database of the department. Only after receiving the certificate of registration (CTC) with new numbers and letters, the old number passes into the status reserved for a specific owner, which gives the right to further install it on another car.
The key point is that automatic extension There is no storage period for the number, and if you sell a car with new signs, but do not have time to put the old number on another car within the allotted time, it will burn. The reservation period is exactly 360 days from the date of application and during this period you are required to buy a new car or motorcycle to transfer the saved combination to them. Use of the portal Public services In this process, it is the main tool for recording in the traffic police and paying fees at a discount, but the legal operation itself requires personal presence and passing administrative procedures.
It is important to understand that you can leave the number behind you only if it corresponds to the current one. regionally Your registration at the time of reservation. If you plan to sell a car that has been owned for less than three years, or just want to change the car while keeping your favorite combination, you need to follow a clear algorithm of actions to avoid failure of the inspector or loss of the right to GRZ. Errors at the stage of filling out the application or an attempt to sell the car along with the old numbers will lead to the fact that the sign will leave with the new owner, and it will be impossible to return it.
Legal grounds and conditions for the preservation of GHZ
The legislative framework regulating the process of preserving license plates is enshrined in the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 399, which regulates the procedure for registering vehicles. According to the current regulations, the owner has the unconditional right to retain the state registration plate, but only under a number of strict conditions regarding the technical condition of the plates and the legal purity of the car. State traffic inspection Requires that the numbers stored be readable, free from corrosion, clogs and damage that may prevent their identification.
One of the main conditions is the presence of an existing MTPL and passed technical inspection, if the car is subject to such an age procedure. Without a valid diagnostic card and insurance, the inspector will not allow you to change numbers, as the car must be fully legalized to participate in road traffic. It is also important that the car is not subject to restrictions on registration actions by bailiffs or other authorities.
⚠️ Note: If your license plates have scuffs, scratches or detachments of paint, the traffic police inspector has every right to refuse to save the combination and require the manufacture of duplicates before the procedure.
The owner must be the sole owner of the car at the time of application, or have a notarial power of attorney with the right of overconfidence and registration actions. Co-owners cannot independently initiate the procedure of changing numbers without the consent of all parties, which often becomes an obstacle when selling equity property.
Preparation of documents and verification of number status
Before you go to the traffic police department or fill out an electronic application, you need to collect a full package of documents and make sure that the operation is possible. The main document is Vehicle passport (PTS)It can be both paper and electronic. In the case of electronic PTS, the data will automatically be pulled into the system when entering the VIN code, but a paper original or extract may still be required for reconciliation.
The list of required documents includes:
- 📄 Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation of the owner of the vehicle.
- 🚗 The vehicle registration certificate (VTC) is original.
- 📝 The current compulsory insurance policy (OSAGO).
- 💰 Receipts for payment of state duties.
Particular attention should be paid to checking the license plate itself for compliance with the standard. R 50577-2011. If your numbers are old or have a non-standard format, their preservation may be difficult or require prior replacement with current ones. Also check for no penalties, as the system can block the possibility of recording for the service in the presence of unpaid penalties.
To complete the application on the portal Public services You will need accurate data from the CTC and PTS, so keep these documents handy. Errors in entering even one symbol of the VIN code or body number will lead to the fact that the application will be rejected, and the procedure will have to start again, losing time and paying the fees again.
Step-by-step instructions: recording through public services
The registration process begins with authorization on a single portal of public services, where you need to select the service "Registration of a vehicle" and go to the section "Change of registration data". Next, the item “Getting CTS, PTS or registration plates instead of lost or fallen into disrepair” is selected, since legally you change the current GRP to a new one, keeping the old one behind you.
When filling out the electronic application form, the system will request data on the vehicle and the owner. In the field "Does the issue of new state registration marks require" you must select the answer "Yes", and in the field "Does the preservation of state registration marks require" also specify "Yes". It is this choice that triggers the redundancy mechanism for your current combination of numbers and letters.
☑️ Checklist before submitting the application
After filling in all fields, the system will offer to choose a convenient traffic police unit, the date and time of the visit. It is recommended to choose large registration and examination departments (REO), where there are sites for inspection and it is possible to immediately produce new plates, if such a service is available on the spot. The final stage is the payment of the state duty directly on the portal, which allows you to save up to 30% of the full cost.
Cost of services and necessary state duties
The financial side of the issue plays an important role, since the procedure for saving the number is paid and consists of several mandatory contributions. The main item of expenditure is the issuance of a new state registration plate, as the old one is deposited and the car is assigned a new combination. The cost of this service is 2000 rubles for standard car numbers.
In addition, you will have to pay for the issuance of a new certificate of registration of the vehicle (CTC), as it will indicate the new data on the GRZ. This service costs 500 rubles for a paper version of the document. If your PTS has run out of space for records or you want to get a new paper PTS instead of electronic, this will require additional costs, but usually when changing numbers in the electronic PTS record without issuing a new form.
| Type of service | Cost (rupe) | Discount on public services | Total amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuance of new GHZs | 2000 | 30% | 1400 |
| Issuance of a new ITS | 500 | 30% | 350 |
| Amendments to the PCA | 350 | 30% | 245 |
| Totally. | 2850 | 30% | 1995 |
It is important to note that the payment must be made according to the details of the region where you are registering, otherwise the payment may not pass or get lost in the system. Keep electronic receipts and payment checks, as they may be required by the inspector to confirm the receipt of funds.
Pay fees only through the application of the State Services or bank transfer according to the exact details specified in the application, to guarantee a 30% discount.
Procedure in the traffic police: inspection and receipt of documents
At the appointed time, you must arrive at the selected traffic police unit on the car, the numbers of which you want to save. The car should be driven to the site for inspection, where the inspector will check the compliance of the VIN code, body number and engine data in the documents, and also assess the condition of the license plates themselves. If the plates meet the requirements, the inspector shall put a mark in the application authorizing further procedure.
After a successful inspection, you go to the document acceptance window, where you hand over the old set of license plates, CTS and application. In return, you will be given a new CTC with new numbers and new metal plates that must be installed immediately on the car. Old numbers are withdrawn and placed for safekeeping in a special reserve traffic police.
⚠️ Note: Do not sell your car immediately after you receive new numbers without checking that the old number is listed behind your name in the database. This can be done through a request to the traffic police or the next attempt to register another car.
Now you can safely sell a car with new numbers, as your favorite combination is safely saved in the system. Within 360 days, you can purchase a new car or motorcycle and, upon registration, declare your desire to install a stored GHZ.
Term of reservation and transfer of number
The term of validity of the reservation of the state registration mark is 360 days from the date of filing an application for its preservation. During this period, you must purchase a new vehicle and register it, declaring your desire to use the number saved. If you do not exercise your right within a year, the number is automatically cancelled and returned to the general pool of free combinations.
The process of installing a saved number on a new car is similar to a regular registration, but with one exception: when filling out an application for a new car. Public services or in paper form you indicate that it is required to issue the stored GRP. The inspector will check the database, make sure that the room is reserved for you and the expiration date has not expired, after which he will issue the appropriate plates and documents.
It should be borne in mind that when transferring the number to a new car, you will still have to pay state fees for issuing a new CTS and making changes to the PTS, but the state duty for issuing the license plates themselves in this case is not charged, since you use your kit.
Frequent mistakes and ways to solve them
One of the most common mistakes is trying to sell the car along with the old numbers, believing that they will “automatically” remain with the seller. This is a gross misconception: the number follows the car, and if you do not formalize the procedure for changing the GHZ before the sale transaction, you lose the right to this combination forever. It is almost impossible to restore the room in this case, since it already belongs to the new owner.
Another common problem is damage to license plates during operation before they are delivered. If the inspector finds that the paint on the numbers or letters has worn off, or the metal is deformed, he will refuse to accept the signs for storage. In such a situation, you will have to order duplicates from private manufacturers, which entails additional costs and time loss.
Owners often forget about the 360-day period, thinking that the number is saved forever. Expiry of the reservation period leads to irrevocable loss of the right to the combinationIt is therefore important to plan to buy a new car in advance or be aware of the risks of losing a room.
Can I save my number if I am registered in another region?
Yes, you can save the number, but only if the region code on the license plate corresponds to the region code of your current registration (residence). If the codes do not match, the traffic police will refuse to save the number, and you will have to hand it over, getting a new one with the code of your region of residence.
What if I didn’t get a new car in 360 days?
Unfortunately, the storage period of the room cannot be extended. After 360 days, the number is automatically withdrawn from the reserve and returned to the free sale. It can be restored only if it is accidentally lost to anyone, which is unlikely, or if you have time to register a car on the last day of the reserve.
Do I have to pay a fee for storage of the number?
There is no separate fee for the "storage" of the number. You only pay for new numbers to replace the old ones at the time of delivery. However, when installing the saved number on a new car, you also do not pay for the issuance of GRP, paying only for the execution of documents (STS, PTS).
Can I keep the number if the car is in bail or arrest?
No, if the vehicle is subject to restrictions on registration actions (arrest, bail, search), it will be impossible to carry out any operation to change or save numbers. All restrictions must be removed first.