Buying a new car is a joyful event, but it is often overshadowed by logistical difficulties. Especially if the car was purchased in one city, and it is planned to operate it in another. B 2020 the rules for driving vehicles without license plates remained strict, but allowed for several legal options. The main thing is not to turn transportation into a traffic violation, which can lead to fines of up to 5,000 rubles or even evacuation to the impound lot.
In this article we will look at all the nuances: from issuing temporary transit numbers to alternative delivery methods (by tow truck, train or with the help of specialized companies). We will pay attention to the documents that should be with you, the route and typical mistakes that drivers make. We’ll also answer the question why some dealers offer turnkey transportation - and whether it’s worth agreeing to such services.
1. Legal ways to drive a new car without license plates in 2020
B 2020 In Russia, there were two main ways to legally move a car without permanent license plates:
- 📄 Transit numbers — temporary signs issued for a period of up to 20 days for transporting a vehicle to the place of registration.
- 🚛 Tow truck or car transporter — transportation of the car as cargo, without driving on public roads.
Third option - hauling in tow - technically possible, but extremely inconvenient (requires a second car, a speed limit of 50 km/h and a special permit for towing over long distances). In most cases, drivers chose transit numbers or car transporter services.
Important: with January 1, 2020 Changes to the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399 came into force, which tightened the requirements for the registration of transit numbers. Now they could only be issued traffic police or accredited dealers (when buying a car at a dealership). Self-production of “temporary signs” on a printing press was equated to forgery of documents.
2. Transit numbers: how to apply and how much it costs
Transit numbers in 2020 were issued on the basis PTS (vehicle passport) and sales agreement. The procedure took from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the workload of the traffic police department.
Registration cost:
| Service | Cost (RUB) | Validity period |
|---|---|---|
| Production of transit numbers | 1 600–2 000 | 20 days |
| State fee for registration actions | 800 | — |
| MTPL insurance (minimum policy) | from 1 500 | 20 days |
| Expedited processing (via dealer) | 3 000–5 000 | — |
Algorithm of actions:
- Get it from your dealer
PTSwith a sale mark andpurchase and sale agreement. - Pay the state fee for transit numbers (you can through
Public serviceswith a 30% discount). - Submit documents to the traffic police or through a dealer (if the salon is accredited).
- Receive numbers and a temporary registration certificate.
PTS with a mark of sale|Purchase and sale agreement (3 copies)|Owner's passport|Receipt for payment of state duty|MTPL policy (minimum for 20 days)-->
⚠️ Attention: If you buy a car from a private person (not from a dealership), you will have to obtain transit numbers yourself at the traffic police. Dealers have the right to issue them only when selling new cars from the showroom.
3. Driving route: how to avoid problems with the traffic police
Even with transit license plates, traffic police inspectors can stop you for inspection. To minimize risks, follow the rules:
- 📍 Plan your route in advance — avoid toll roads (they often have traffic police posts).
- 🕒 Drive during daylight hours — at night the probability of stopping is higher.
- 📋 Keep your documents handy: PTS, purchase and sale agreement, transit numbers, compulsory motor liability insurance.
- 🚗 Don't speed - You don’t need any extra attention from inspectors.
If you are stopped:
- Greet the inspector politely and hand the documents through the window.
- Don't get out of the car unless asked to do so.
- If the inspector doubts the authenticity of the transit numbers, suggest calling the traffic police department that issued them.
Before your trip, take a photo of your transit numbers and documents on your phone. If the inspector wants to check them through the database, you will have a backup copy.
Average speed of the route with transit numbers - 80–90 km/h. To a distance Moscow — St. Petersburg (700 km) It will take about 9–10 hours including stops. If you drive at night, you can save time, but the risk of control will increase.
4. Alternative methods: tow truck, car transporter, train
If obtaining transit numbers seems difficult or expensive, consider alternative options:
- 🚛 Car transporter - specialized transport for transporting cars. Cost: from
3,000 to 10,000 rublesdepending on distance. - 🔄 Tow truck — suitable for short distances (up to 300 km). Price:
1,500–4,000 rubles. - 🚆 Rail transport - some companies (for example, Russian Railways Logistics) offer car transportation services in wagons. Cost: from
5,000 rublesfor 1,000 km.
Advantages of alternative methods:
- ✅ There is no risk of fines for missing numbers.
- ✅ No need to waste time traveling.
- ✅ The car does not receive mileage and wear and tear.
Cons:
- ❌ More expensive than driving on your own.
- ❌ It is required to reserve a seat in advance (especially for the train).
- ❌ Risk of damage during loading/unloading (if the cargo is not insured).
How much does it cost to transport a car by auto transporter in 2020?
The cost depended on the distance and type of transport:
- Passenger car transporter (up to 5 cars): 2–4 rubles/km.
- Individual tow truck: 5–8 rubles/km.
- Railroad transportation: fixed tariff from 5,000 rubles. for 1,000 km.
Prices could vary depending on the region and season (more expensive in winter due to difficult weather conditions).
5. Risks and fines: what you face for driving without license plates
If you decide to move a car without transit plates or other legal grounds, be prepared for the consequences. B 2020 The following sanctions were in effect:
| Violation | Fine (rub.) | Additional measures |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of license plates (Part 2 of Article 12.2 of the Administrative Code) | 5 000 | Evacuation to impound lot |
| Fake transit numbers | up to 80,000 or deprivation of rights for 1–2 years | Criminal liability (Article 327 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) |
| No OSAGO | 800 | Prohibition on further movement |
| Speeding on transit license plates | from 500 to 5,000 | — |
The most common scenario: an inspector stops a car without license plates, a report is drawn up on Part 2 Art. 12.2 Code of Administrative Offenses, and the car is towed away. To return it from the impound lot, you will have to pay:
- Fine
5,000 rubles. - Evacuation (
3,000–7,000 rublesdepending on the region). - Parking lot storage (
1,000 rubles/day).
⚠️ Attention: If you are stopped without license plates, do not try to negotiate with the inspector on the spot. In 2020, this was considered a bribe (Article 291 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and threatened with a criminal case. It is better to accept the fine and appeal it later in court.
6. Life hacks: how to save time and money
Several proven ways to optimize the haul:
- 💰 Issue transit numbers through a dealer - many showrooms did this for free when purchasing a car.
- 🚗 Use carsharing for the return trip - cheaper than a train or plane ticket.
- 📱 Install applications for monitoring traffic police posts (for example, Yandex.Radar or Waze).
- 🔧 Check your car before you go - even a new car can have manufacturing defects (for example, underinflated tires).
If you are moving your car in winter:
- ❄️ Fill in
winter washerand check the operation of the stove. - 🔋 Make sure the battery is charged (new batteries sometimes run out when left in storage for a long time).
- 🚘 Take it with you
cableandwarning triangle.
The most reliable way to transport is transit numbers + MTPL insurance. Alternatives (tow truck, car transporter) are suitable if you value time more than money.
7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Experienced drivers and traffic police officers identify several common mistakes when driving new cars:
- 📝 Expired transit numbers — their effect is limited to 20 days. If you haven’t managed to register your car, you’ll have to register a new one.
- 🚓 Ignoring towing rules — if you are transporting a car on a cable, the speed should not exceed
50 km/h, and the distance between cars is4–6 meters. - 📄 Lack of original PTS — the copy is not suitable for distillation.
- 💸 Saving on insurance - no MTPL fine
800 rubles, and in the event of an accident - full liability for damage.
Another common problem is inconsistency of data in documents. For example, if the PTS indicates one model, but the car has a sign of another modification, the inspector may suspect forgery. Always check:
- VIN number on the body and in the title.
- Make, model and year of manufacture.
- Seller details (for individuals - full name and passport details).
⚠️ Attention: If you buy a car on credit, the bank may insist on compulsory CASCO registration even for driving. Specify this condition in advance, otherwise you will have to buy a policy at the last moment at an inflated price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to drive a car without license plates if it has just come off the assembly line?
No. Even new cars require transit plates or transportation on a car carrier. An exception is movement within the territory of a factory or dealership center (for example, from a warehouse to a preparation workshop).
How long are transit numbers valid if the car is purchased on credit?
The period is the same - 20 days. But the bank may require you to register the car faster (for example, within 10 days). Check the terms and conditions in the loan agreement.
Can they refuse to issue transit numbers?
Yes, if:
- There are inconsistencies or erasures in the PTS.
- The purchase and sale agreement was drawn up with errors.
- The car is wanted or under arrest.
In such cases, you will have to eliminate the reason for the refusal (for example, renew the contract).
What to do if transit numbers are lost along the way?
Immediately contact the nearest traffic police department to report the loss. You will be given a duplicate (for a fee). You cannot drive further without license plates - this is equivalent to their absence.
Is it possible to drive a car without license plates if it is registered in another region?
No. If the car is already registered (for example, the dealer has registered it for test drives), permanent license plates are required to drive it to another city. In this case, transit cards will not be issued.