Transferring numbers to another person: a complete guide for

Re-registration of state registration plates (numbers) to another person is a mandatory procedure when selling, donating or inheriting a car. Many car owners mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply hand over the title and keys, but without official re-registration, the license plates will remain with the old owner. This is fraught with fines, problems with taxes and even criminal liability if the new owner violates traffic rules.

In 2026, the procedure for re-registration of license plates was simplified thanks to the electronic services of the traffic police and MFC, but key nuances remain: whether it is necessary to change the numbers themselves, how to avoid fraud during the transaction and what to do if the previous owner “forgot” to deregister the car. This article contains an up-to-date algorithm taking into account the latest changes in legislation, step-by-step instructions for different situations and answers to frequently asked questions.

1. When you need to re-register numbers for another person

Numbers are subject to re-registration in three main cases, and ignoring any of them threatens with administrative sanctions:

• 📄 Selling a car — even if you entrusted the buyer to re-register the car on his own, the law obliges the seller to initiate deregistration within 10 days from the moment of the transaction. Otherwise, fines for traffic violations by the new owner will be sent to your name.
• 🎁 Gift or inheritance — here re-registration is mandatory, since the owner changes. When making a gift to a close relative (spouse, parents, children), you can save on tax, but the registration procedure remains standard.
• 🔄 Leasing or renting a car — if, according to the agreement, the lessee becomes a temporary owner, the numbers are re-registered to a legal entity (leasing company).

Important: from 2023, the mandatory production of new license plates upon a change of owner has been abolished, if the signs comply GOST R 50577-93 and are in satisfactory condition. Now you can keep the old numbers, but only on the condition that the new owner does not want to change them. However, this rule does not apply to cases where:

• 🚨 Numbers are damaged (scratches, chips, unreadable characters).
• 🔢 The series or number of the sign is included in the wanted database.
• 📛 The previous owner requested new numbers (for example, if lost).

⚠️ Attention: If you sold a car, but the buyer did not re-register it within 10 days, submit an application for forced deregistration through traffic police portal. Otherwise, you risk receiving fines for other people’s violations or even losing your rights for the new owner’s unpaid debts.

2. What documents are needed to re-register numbers

The list of documents depends on the type of transaction (purchase and sale, gift, inheritance) and the status of the participants (individual, legal entity, foreign citizen). Basic package includes:

Transaction type	Documents from the seller	Documents from the buyer
Purchase and sale	Passport PTS (original) Certificate of Registration (CTC) Sales and purchase agreement (3 copies)	Passport MTPL policy (if any) Application for registration
Donation	Passport PTS and STS Donation agreement (notarized if the donor is not a close relative)	Passport Consent of the spouse (if the car is joint property)
Inheritance	Owner's death certificate Will or court decision	Passport Certificate of right to inheritance (from a notary)

Additional nuances:

• 🔹 If the car is in leasing, the consent of the leasing company and the leasing agreement will be required.
• 🔹 For foreign citizens — notarized translation of the passport and migration card.
• 🔹 When loss of documents - police certificate and duplicates (ordered from the traffic police or through Public services).

⚠️ Attention: If there are no free lines in the PTS for the new owner, a replacement document will be required. It takes up to 30 days and costs 800 rubles (state duty). You can apply for a new PTS at the same time as re-registering your license plates.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to re-register numbers

The re-registration procedure consists of 5 key stages. Let's consider each in detail, taking into account the current requirements of 2026.

Step 1. Preparing documents and checking the car

Before visiting the traffic police or MFC:

Check your vehicle for arrests and restrictions through traffic police service

Make sure that the numbers are not wanted (check by VIN on Autocode)

Prepare 3 copies of the purchase and sale agreement (if selling)

Pay state fees in advance (with a 30% discount via Public services)

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Pay special attention to checking the vehicle for registration restrictions. If the car is pledged to the bank or under the arrest of bailiffs, it will not be possible to re-register it. The check can be done for free:

• 🔍 On the website traffic police (section "Vehicle check").
• 🔍 Through the service Autocode (paid, but with extended history).
• 🔍 In the mobile application Public services Auto.

Step 2. Payment of state fees

Cost of re-registration in 2026:

• 💰 Changing data in PTS — 350 rubles (if there are free lines).
• 💰 New STS — 500 rubles (if replacement is required).
• 💰 New numbers — 2,000 rubles (if the old ones do not fit or the owner wants to change them).
• 💰 Replacing PTS — 800 rubles (if there is no space for notes).

You can pay:

• 💳 On Public services (with 30% discount).
• 🏦 In a bank (without discount).
• 📱 Through mobile applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff).

Step 3. Submission of documents

You can reissue numbers:

1. 🏛 At the traffic police department - the most reliable method, but with queues. You can sign up via Public services.
2. 🏢 At the MFC — convenient, but not all centers provide this service. Check by phone.
3. 💻 Online through State Services - only if you have qualified electronic signature (KEP).

On a personal visit:

1. Take the coupon from the terminal (select "Vehicle registration").
2. Present the documents to the inspector (see list in section 2).
3. Sign the registration application (a sample will be given on site).
4. Receive a receipt for documents acceptance.

Step 4. Vehicle inspection

The inspection is carried out at the traffic police site or at mobile point (if available in your region). The inspector checks:

• 🔧 Correspondence of engine and body numbers to the data in the PTS.
• 🔢 Integrity and readability of registration plates.
• 🚗 No unauthorized changes in the design (if they are not included in the PTS).

If the car is not running, the inspection can be carried out at its location - to do this, you need to coordinate the time in advance with the traffic police and pay for the inspector’s visit (1,600 rubles).

Step 5. Obtaining new documents

Production time:

• ⏳ STS - Issued immediately after inspection.
• ⏳ PTS with a new entry - up to 30 days (if replacement was required).
• ⏳ Numbers — if you ordered new ones, their production takes 1–3 days.

Ready documents can be obtained:

• 📬 By mail (if registered through Public services).
• 🏛 In the same traffic police department where the documents were submitted.

4. Features of re-registration in different situations

Not all number conversion cases are the same. Let's look at the nuances for the most common scenarios.

Selling a used car

When selling a used car, pay attention to:

• 📝 Sales and purchase agreement must contain:
  • Passport details of both parties.
  • Full vehicle details (VIN, body/chassis number, color).
  • Price (even if you sell for 1 ruble).
  • Date and signatures.
• 🔧 Acceptance certificate - not mandatory, but protects against claims (for example, if the buyer discovers hidden defects).

After signing the agreement:

1. Seller within 10 days must submit an application for deregistration (via Public services or traffic police).
2. Buyer within 10 days obliged to re-register the car in his name.

What happens if the seller does not deregister the car?

If the seller has not submitted an application for deregistration and the buyer has not re-registered the car, then:

• Fines for traffic violations will be sent to the old owner.
• Transport tax will be charged to the seller until the car is re-registered.
• In extreme cases (for example, if the new owner caused an accident and fled), the seller may be held liable as the owner.

To avoid problems, the seller can independently deregister the car through Public services, even if the buyer did not re-register it. To do this, you need to provide a copy of the purchase and sale agreement.

Donating a car to a close relative

The following benefits apply when donating:

• 🎁 Income tax is not paid if the donor and recipient are close relatives (spouses, parents, children, brothers/sisters).
• 📝 The donation agreement does not require notarization if the car is transferred to a close relative.

However, there are pitfalls:

• 🚨 If the car is jointly owned (for example, purchased during marriage), you will need notarial consent of the spouse for donation.
• 🚨 If the donee is a non-resident of the Russian Federation, he must pay tax 30% from the market value of the car.

Inheriting a car

The procedure for re-registration during inheritance is the longest:

1. 📜 Obtaining a certificate of inheritance from a notary (period of 6 months from the date of death of the owner).
2. 💰 Payment of state duty for inheritance (0.3% of the cost of the car for close relatives, 0,6% - for the rest).
3. 🏛 Re-registration with the traffic police with the provision of:
   • Death certificates.
   • Certificates of right to inheritance.
   • Heir's passports.

If there are several heirs, the car can be re-registered to one of them with subsequent reimbursement of the cost to the others (by agreement).

Re-registration as a legal entity

If the car is transferred to a company (for example, when purchased on lease or for official use), additional documents will be required:

• 📋 Extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities (not older than 30 days).
• 📋 Power of attorney to a company representative (if the documents are not submitted by the director).
• 📋 Tax registration certificate (TIN).
• 📋 Leasing or sale agreement on behalf of a legal entity.

Features:

• 🔹 You can leave the old numbers, but they will be tied to the legal entity.
• 🔹 If the car is used for commercial purposes (taxi, cargo transportation), you will need diagnostic card (technical inspection).

5. Cost of re-registration of rooms in 2026

The total amount depends on what services you need. Below are the current traffic police tariffs, taking into account a 30% discount when paying through Public services:

Service	Cost at the traffic police (rub.)	Cost through State Services (RUB)	Notes
Changing data in PTS (if there is space)	350	245	If there are no free lines, replace the PTS (800 RUR)
Issuance of a new STS	500	350	Mandatory when changing ownership
Production of new numbers	2 000	1 400	Only if the old numbers are unusable or the owner wants to change
Replacement of PTS (if there is no space for records)	800	560	Production time - up to 30 days
Deregistration/registration (forced)	850	595	If the buyer does not re-register the car on time

Additional costs:

• 📄 Notarization of the contract — from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles (if required).
• 🚗 Technical inspection — from 600 to 1,200 rubles (if the car is older than 4 years).
• 📋 Certificate from the traffic police confirming no arrests — 350 rubles (if verification through online services is not available).

⚠️ Attention: If you are re-registering a car with foreign numbers (for example, brought from abroad), the cost may increase up to 5,000 rubles for new Russian signs. You will also need customs declaration and a certificate of conformity.

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even with the apparent simplicity of the procedure, many car owners make mistakes that lead to delays or fines. Let's look at the most common ones:

Error 1: Unverified buyer/seller

Fraud in car transactions is a common problem. To avoid being scammed:

• 🔍 Check the passport details of the other party (you can use the service Public services or EGRN).
• 🔍 Make sure that the seller really is the owner (check the data in the PTS and passport).
• 🔍 If the seller acts under a power of attorney, check its authenticity through Federal Notary Chamber.

Error 2: Late re-registration

The law gives 10 days for re-registration, but many delay their visit to the traffic police. Consequences:

• 🚨 Penalty for late registration - 1,500–2,000 rubles (Article 19.22 of the Administrative Code).
• 🚨 If the new owner gets into an accident, the insurance company may refuse to pay due to inconsistencies in the data in the OSAGO policy.

Mistake 3: Losing documents after a transaction

Often buyers lose their title or vehicle title between purchase and renewal. What to do:

• 📋 If lost PTS — you can restore it through the traffic police (800 rubles, up to 30 days).
• 📋 If lost STS — just write an application to the traffic police (500 rubles, they will issue a duplicate right away).
• 📋 If lost purchase and sale agreement - you will have to create a new one (with the same dates and data).

Error 4: Data inconsistency in documents

Discrepancies in the PTS, STS or purchase and sale agreement are a common reason for refusal to re-register. Check:

• 🔢 VIN-number, body number and chassis number must match in all documents.
• 🎨 Car color — if the car is repainted, this must be included in the title.
• 🔧 Modifications — if gas equipment is installed, engine power or other parameters are changed, this must be reflected in the vehicle title.

If there are discrepancies, they need to be eliminated up to visit to the traffic police. For example, if the color does not match, an examination (from 3,000 rubles) and changes to the title will be required.

Mistake 5: Buying a car with a “problematic” history

Cars with the following characteristics may cause problems when re-registering:

• 🚨 Pledged by the bank - even if the seller says that “everything is paid”, check through Pledge register.
• 🚨 Wanted - check by VIN required.
• 🚨 With replaced body/engine numbers — such cars often have a criminal record.
• 🚨 With duplicate PTS — there is a high probability that the original was not lost by accident.

7. Re-registration of numbers through State Services: step-by-step instructions

From 2026, most re-registration operations can be completed online via Public services. This saves time and gives a 30% discount on state fees. Let's look at the process in detail.

Step 1. Registration and authorization

If you don't have an account yet Public services:

1. Go to the site gosuslugi.ru.
2. Click “Register” and enter your passport and SNILS details.
3. Verify your identity via:
   • 🏦 Bank (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB).
   • 📱 Mobile operator (MTS, Beeline, Megafon).
   • 🏛 Service Center (if there is no electronic signature).

Step 2. Select a service

Log in and complete the following steps:

1. In the search bar, enter "Vehicle registration».
2. Select "Changing owner information».
3. Click "Get a service».

Step 3. Filling out the application

Please indicate in the form:

• 📄 Vehicle data (VIN, body number, make, model).
• 📄 Information about the previous and new owner.
• 📄 Type of transaction (purchase and sale, donation, etc.).
• 📄 Address of the traffic police department where you want to receive documents.

When filling out:

• 🔹 All data must match the PTS and passport.
• 🔹 If there is an error, the system will highlight the field in red.
• 🔹 You can save your draft and come back later.

Step 4. Payment of state duty

After filling out the form:

1. The system will automatically calculate the amount of state duty with a 30% discount.
2. Pay by credit card via SberBank Online or YuMoney.
3. Save the receipt (the traffic police will need it).

Step 5. Visit to the traffic police for inspection

After payment:

1. You will receive an invitation to inspect the car (date and time).
2. Arrive at the selected traffic police department with your car and documents.
3. The inspector conducts an inspection (5–10 minutes).

Step 6. Receiving documents

If everything is ok:

• 📄 STS will be issued immediately.
• 📄 PTS (if a replacement was required) will arrive by mail or you can pick it up at the traffic police department in 1–30 days.
• 📄 Numbers (if you ordered new ones) they will also be issued on the spot or sent by mail.

If you submitted documents through MFC, the receipt time may increase by 2–3 days.

8. What to do if re-registration is delayed or refused

Sometimes the re-registration procedure does not go according to plan. Let's look at typical problems and ways to solve them.

Reason 1: Refusal to re-register

The traffic police may refuse