Transferring state registration plates from one car to another is a procedure that saves time and money, but requires strict compliance with traffic police regulations. Many owners are faced with the need to keep “nice” or familiar license plates when changing a car, but not everyone knows that this process has legal restrictions and technical nuances. In 2026, the rules remain relevant with amendments to electronic services and simplified interaction with departments.

In this article we will analyze all legal ways to port numbers — from standard re-registration to use public services and MFC, and we will also tell you in what cases the traffic police may refuse. We will pay special attention validity periods of temporary signs upon re-issuance and hidden costs that are often forgotten. If you are planning to sell your old car and buy a new one, keeping the license plates, or just want to understand the procedure, read on.

Who can transfer license plates from car to car: conditions and restrictions

According to Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399 (with the latest changes), the transfer of license plates is only possible if three key conditions are met:

  • 🔹 Both cars must be registered on the same natural or legal person. Transferring numbers between different owners (for example, when selling) is prohibited.
  • 🔹 The numbers should not be wanted, blocked or have signs of counterfeit. The check can be performed through the service traffic police or Public services.
  • 🔹 New car must pass technical inspection (if required) and have no restrictions on registration actions.

Important: if you buy a car from another owner, transfer your old license plates to it impossible. In this case, you will either have to leave the plates on the old car (if you still have it) or get new plates. Exception - legal entities, which can re-register license plates between cars of the same fleet when the owner of the vehicle changes.

New car|Used car (own)|Corporate fleet|Not decided yet-->

It is also worth considering that “Transit” category rooms (temporary) cannot be transferred - they are issued only for a limited period for transportation or travel abroad. If your car was on such signs, you first need to get permanent license plates, and only then deal with their re-registration.

⚠️ Attention: Since 2023, the mandatory replacement of numbers when the owner’s region of residence changes has been abolished. Now you can save the signs even when moving, but provided that the car is up-to-date with the traffic police.

Documents for porting numbers: complete list for 2026

To successfully re-register license plates, you will need the following package of documents. The absence of at least one of them will lead to refusal of the procedure:

Document Requirements Where to get it
Owner's passport Original + copy (pages with photo and registration). For legal entities - company documents. —
PTS (or electronic PTS) Original for both cars. The e-PTS checks the relevance of the data via Public services. Traffic police or MFC
Vehicle registration certificate For both cars. If the STS is lost, first restore it. Traffic police, MFC, Public services
Sales and purchase agreement (if applicable) Only if the new car was purchased less than 10 days ago and has not yet been registered. From the previous owner
Application for re-registration To be completed on site or via Public services (sample - Appendix No. 1 to Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399). traffic police, Public services

Additionally you may need:

  • 📄 Power of attorney (if the procedure is carried out by a representative). It must be notarized.
  • 💳 Receipt for payment of state duty (if you did not pay via Public services with a 30% discount).
  • 🔧 Diagnostic card (if the new car is older than 4 years and requires technical inspection).

Collect originals and copies of passports for both vehicles|Check the relevance of the data in the e-PTS|Pay the state fee for re-registration|Prepare a power of attorney (if necessary)|Receive a diagnostic card (if required)-->

If one of the cars was purchased on credit and is pledged to the bank, you will need permission from the creditor for re-registration. Without this document, the traffic police will refuse to transfer license plates.

⚠️ Attention: New rules for electronic PTS have been introduced since 2026: if your car is registered in e-PTS, check its status on the portal Public services in advance. If the data does not match (for example, VIN does not match), the procedure will be suspended.

Step-by-step instructions: how to transfer numbers through the traffic police

Let's consider the classic option - transferring numbers through the traffic police department. This method is suitable if you do not want or cannot use Public services.

Step 1. Preparing the vehicles

Before visiting the traffic police:

  • 🚗 Make sure that both cars do not have unpaid fines (check through GIBDD.rf or Public services).
  • 🔧 Swipe visual inspection license plates: they must be readable, without damage or signs of tampering.
  • 📋 Check that the VIN numbers on the body and in the documents match.

Step 2. Payment of state duty

Cost of re-registration of numbers in 2026:

  • 💰 1,500 rubles — for issuing a new STS (registration certificate).
  • 💰 500 rubles — for making changes to the PTS (if paper).
  • 💰 350 rubles — for issuing new numbers (if replacement of old ones is required).

When paying via Public services 30% discount applies. You don’t have to print out the receipt—the information is sent to the traffic police automatically.

Step 3. Visit to the traffic police

Algorithm of actions in the department:

  1. Take a coupon from the terminal (select the service “Re-registration of a vehicle with saving numbers”).
  2. Provide the inspector with a package of documents (see previous section).
  3. Pass car inspection at the traffic police site (they will check the VIN, body numbers, condition of signs).
  4. Sign the new registration certificate and receive updated documents.
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If your city has a pre-registration system through Public services, sign up for a convenient time in advance. This will save you up to 2-3 hours of waiting in line.

The whole process takes from 1 to 3 hours depending on the workload of the department. If the inspector finds inconsistencies (for example, an unreadable VIN or discrepancies in documents), the procedure will have to be repeated after the problems are resolved.

Transferring numbers through State Services: step-by-step guide

Electronic re-registration through the portal Public services - the fastest and most convenient way. It saves time and money (thanks to a discount on state fees). Let's look at the process in detail.

Step 1. Authorization and service selection

1. Go to Public services under your account (level not lower than “Standard”).

2. Enter the phrase in the search "Re-registration of a vehicle" and select the appropriate service.

3. Click “Get service” and fill in the data:

  • 📌 Applicant type (individual or legal entity).
  • 📌 Passport details and SNILS.
  • 📌 Information about both cars (VIN, body numbers, PTS data).

Step 2. Filling out the application

In electronic form please indicate:

  • 🔢 Reason for re-registration — “Save registration plates.”
  • 📍 Traffic police department, where you want to receive documents (select the closest one with free slots).
  • 📅 Date and time of visit (slots available 1-2 weeks in advance).
What to do if there are no free slots on State Services?

If all dates are busy, try:

1. Refresh the page after 5–10 minutes (sometimes free windows appear after canceling entries).

2. Choose another traffic police department (even in a neighboring area).

3. Check at night (from 00:00 to 02:00) - at this time the system updates the schedule.

4. Contact the MFC if a re-registration service is available there.

Step 3. Payment and confirmation

After filling out the form:

  1. Pay the state fee with a 30% discount (by bank card, via SBP or e-wallet).
  2. Receive an email notification with confirmation of your appointment and receipt.
  3. At the appointed time, visit the traffic police department with the original documents to complete the procedure.

The advantage of this method is minimum time spent at the traffic police station (usually no more than 30 minutes). The inspector will only verify the documents and issue new papers, since all the data has already been entered into the system.

⚠️ Attention: If you made a mistake when filling out the data on Public services (for example, the VIN was entered incorrectly), this can only be corrected with a personal visit to the traffic police. This may delay the process, so please check all fields carefully before submitting.

How much does it cost to port numbers: all costs in 2026

Many owners overlook hidden costsrelated to the re-registration of numbers. In addition to the state fee, additional expenses may be required. Let's look at them in detail.

Expense item Cost (RUB) When required
State duty for a new STS 1,500 (1,050 with discount on Public services) Always
Making changes to the PTS 500 (350 with discount) If the PTS is paper
Technical inspection 800–1 500 If the new car is older than 4 years
Notarized power of attorney 1 500–3 000 If the procedure is carried out by a representative
Making a duplicate of the STS 800 If the original is lost

Also note:

  • 🚘 If the numbers are damaged (bent, paint worn off), they will have to be replaced. Cost of new signs - 2,000 rubles (1,400 with discount).
  • 📄 If there is not enough space in the PTS for new entries, you will need to register duplicate PTS (800 rubles).
  • 🔍 If discrepancies are detected in documents (for example, VIN mismatch), you may need to examination (from 3,000 rubles).
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The total cost of porting numbers in 2026 varies from 1,050 to 5,000 rubles, depending on the need for additional services. The most budget option is electronic recording via Public services without replacing signs and PTS.

If you are transferring license plates to a car purchased on credit, the bank may require additional insurance (CASCO) taking into account new registration data. This increases costs by 10-30% of the cost of the policy.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even with careful preparation, owners often experience denials or delays when porting numbers. Let's consider top 5 mistakes and ways to prevent them.

1. Inconsistency between data in PTS and STS

Problem: The documents indicate different VIN numbers, models or years of manufacture.

Solution:

  • Check the details in advance via Public services (Section “Transport”).
  • If there is an error in the PTS, contact the traffic police to make corrections.
  • If there is an error in the STS, get a duplicate.

2. Overdue technical inspection

Problem: A new car is over 4 years old, but the diagnostic card is missing or expired.

Solution:

  • Get a technical inspection at an accredited center (cost: from 800 rubles).
  • Check that the maintenance data is displayed in EAISTO (unified technical inspection system).

3. Numbers wanted or with restrictions

Problem: Old license plates are listed as lost or under arrest.

Solution:

  • Check the status of the numbers on the website traffic police by VIN or license plate number.
  • If the numbers are wanted, contact the police to remove the status.

4. Absence of a power of attorney (when acting through a representative)

Problem: The power of attorney is not certified by a notary or does not contain authority to re-register.

Solution:

  • Execute a power of attorney from a notary indicating the right to “re-register a vehicle while maintaining the numbers.”
  • Make sure that the power of attorney contains the passport details of the representative.

5. Unpaid fines

Problem: The owner or vehicle has unpaid traffic fines.

Solution:

  • Check the fines on the website traffic police or through Public services.
  • Pay in advance (there is a 50% discount for 20 days).
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If you have doubts about the correctness of filling out the documents, use a free consultation at the MFC or the traffic police hotline (telephone: 8-800-222-74-47).

If you are refused to port your numbers, the inspector must provide written justification indicating the reason. This can be appealed through the higher management of the traffic police or the court.

For companies and individual entrepreneurs, the procedure for porting numbers has its own nuances. The main difference is the need to provide additional documents and compliance with internal regulations of the organization.

Documents for legal entities

Added to the standard package:

  • 📑 Extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities/Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs (not older than 30 days).
  • 📑 Order on the appointment of a manager (if the applicant is a director).
  • 📑 Power of attorney for an employee (if the procedure is not carried out by the manager).
  • 📑 Tax registration certificate (TIN).

Features of the procedure

1. Re-registration between cars of the same fleet possible without restrictions if both vehicles belong to the same company.

2. If the car was purchased from an individual, you must first re-register it as a legal entity, and then transfer numbers.

3. Valid for fleets with more than 50 vehicles simplified procedure through electronic document management with the traffic police.

Legal entities are recommended to use the services accredited representatives (for example, transport companies) that undertake interaction with the traffic police. The cost of such services starts from 5,000 rubles, but this eliminates the need to stand in queues yourself.

⚠️ Attention: When transferring license plates to a vehicle owned by another organization (for example, during a company merger), you will need contract of transfer of rights and consent of both parties. Without this, the traffic police will refuse the procedure.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to transfer license plates from car to car if they were purchased in different regions?

Yes, from 2023 the region of registration of the owner does not matter. The main thing is that both cars are registered to the same person. However, if the numbers have an area code (for example, 77 for Moscow), transfer them to a car registered in another region (for example, 78 for St. Petersburg), it's impossible. In this case, you will have to get new signs.

How long does the number porting procedure take?

When contacting via Public services and pre-registration - from 30 minutes (time of visit to the traffic police). Without recording, the process can take 2–4 hours. If it is necessary to replace the vehicle title or correct errors in documents, the period increases to 5–7 business days.

Is it possible to transfer license plates to a car that has not yet been registered?

Yes, but only if no more than 10 days. In this case, along with the transfer of numbers, you simultaneously register a new car. If the deadline has been exceeded, you first need to register the car (having received temporary transit numbers), and then proceed with the transfer.

What to do if numbers are lost or stolen?

First you need restore numbers:

  1. Write a statement to the police about theft/loss.
  2. Obtain new signs from the traffic police (cost: 2,000 rubles).
  3. Only after this can you transfer them to another car.

If the numbers are found later, they will have to be handed over to the traffic police - reuse is impossible.

Is it possible to transfer license plates from a car to a motorcycle or other vehicle?

No, transfer is only possible between cars of the same category (for example, cars, trucks). License plates cannot be transferred from a car to a motorcycle, trailer, ATV or special equipment. Separate registration plates are issued for these vehicles.