Replace state registration plates (GRZ) from one car to another, if the cars have different owners, it is possible only through official re-registration in traffic police or MFC. Direct exchange of numbers between owners without the participation of government agencies is prohibited by Article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation and faces a fine of up to 2,500 rubles. The procedure requires removing the license plates from the first car (with their subsequent destruction or saving in your personal account State services), and then issuing the same combinations to the second car - but as new signs. The main condition: both owners must participate in the process and provide a complete package of documents.
The key difficulty is preserving old numbers. From 2023 The traffic police allows you to keep the license plates when selling a car., but to transfer them to the new owner’s car, you will need a separate application and payment of a state fee in the amount of 2,000 ₽ (for preservation) + 2,000 ₽ (for issuing the same plates to another car). If the plates were not saved, they will have to be scrapped and new ones will have to be obtained for the second car.
This article contains current methods for re-registering license plates between cars with different owners, a list of documents for traffic police and MFC, step-by-step instructions, as well as an analysis of typical errors due to which registration is denied. All data was verified as of June 2026 and takes into account the latest changes in Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399.
1. When is it allowed to change license plates between cars with different owners?
The legislation allows the transfer of state registration plates (GRZ) between cars only in three cases:
- 🔄 Saving license plates when selling a car. The previous owner fills out an application to retain the numbers (via
Public servicesor traffic police), and then transfers them to the new owner for installation on another car. - 👨👩👧👦 Transferring numbers between close relatives. For example, a father removes license plates from his car and installs them on his son’s car (subject to a joint application).
- 📝 Re-registration of a car to the same owner. If the car is sold to the same person (for example, after a divorce or change of passport data), the numbers can be left.
In all other cases, the numbers must be handed over to traffic police and destruction. The new owner receives other signs - randomly from the database. Exception: "Transit" category rooms (red), which can be transferred between cars of the same owner without restrictions.
⚠️ Attention: If you bought a car with plates that the previous owner did not keep, they it's impossible legally put on your car. Such license plates are considered invalid, and their use is equivalent to driving without registration (fine 5,000–10,000 rubles under Article 12.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
2. Step-by-step instructions: how to save license plates when selling a car
To legally change license plates from one car to another with different owners, you need to complete two steps: removing license plates from the first car and installing them on the second. Let's look at the process using the example of selling a car while keeping the license plates.
Stage 1: Removing license plates from the car being sold
- Submitting an application to save numbers. This can be done:
- 📱 Via
Public services(section "Transport and driving" → "Saving license plates"). - 🏛️ In the department traffic police or MFC (by appointment).
In the application, indicate the reason: “Preservation of license plates upon alienation of the vehicle.”
- 📱 Via
- Payment of state duty. Cost - 2,000 ₽ (fee for storing numbers). Details can be obtained at
Public servicesor in traffic police. - Visit to the traffic police with documents. You must provide:
- Owner's passport.
- PTS and STS of the car being sold.
- Purchase and sale agreement (if the car has already been sold).
- Receipt for payment of the duty.
Owner's passport|PTS and STS of the car|Purchase and sale agreement (if the car is sold)|Receipt for payment of the duty (2,000 ₽)|Application for saving license plates-->
Stage 2: Installing saved license plates on a new car
- Submitting an application to register a car with saved license plates. This is done by the new owner through
Public servicesor in traffic police. - Payment of state duty:
- 2,000 ₽ - for issuing numbers (even if they are saved).
- 800 ₽ - for a new STS.
- 350 ₽ — for making changes to the PTS (if required).
- Providing documents:
- New owner's passport.
- PTS and STS of a new car.
- Purchase and sale agreement (or other document confirming ownership).
- Certificate of preservation of numbers (from the previous owner).
- MTPL policy (can be issued electronically on the spot).
If the numbers were not saved by the previous owner, they will have to be scrapped, and others will have to be obtained for a new car - randomly from the database traffic police.
3. Documents for re-registration of numbers: complete list
To legally transfer license plates between cars with different owners, you will need documents from both sides. Below is the current list for 2026.
| Document | From whom is it required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation | From both owners | Original + copy (if submitting via MFC) |
| PTS and STS of the car from which license plates are removed | From previous owner | If the car has already been sold, copies are enough |
| PTS and STS of the car on which the license plates are installed | From the new owner | Originals are required |
| Sales and purchase agreement (or other document transferring ownership) | From both owners | If the car is transferred by deed of gift - a notarized copy |
| Certificate of saving numbers (form No. 1) | From previous owner | Valid for 360 days from the date of issue |
| OSAGO policy | From the new owner | You can apply electronically on site at traffic police |
| Receipts for payment of state fees | From the new owner | The amount depends on the type of procedure (see section 4) |
If one of the owners cannot be present in person, he must issue a notarized power of attorney for the representative. The power of attorney must state the right to removal/installation of state registration plates.
⚠️ Attention: If the car from which the license plates are removed is in collateral or under arrest, traffic police will refuse the procedure. Before your visit, check the status of the car through the service GIBDD.RF (section "Checking the vehicle").
4. Cost and timing of room renewal in 2026
The total cost of the procedure depends on whether the numbers were previously saved and which registration method you choose. Below are the current tariffs (as of June 2026).
| Action | Cost (₽) | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Saving license plates when selling a car | 2 000 | 1 day (if submitted via Public services) |
| Issuance of saved license plates for a new car | 2 000 | 1–3 days |
| Production of new numbers (if the old ones were not saved) | 2 000 | 1–5 days |
| Making changes to the PTS | 350 | 1 day |
| Issuance of a new STS | 800 | 1 day |
| Registration of compulsory motor liability insurance (electronic policy) | From 2,500 (depending on experience and region) | 10–30 minutes |
Total minimum cost of transferring saved license plates to a new car is: 4 800 ₽ (2,000 for saving + 2,000 for issuing + 800 for STS). If the numbers were not saved, you will have to pay for new ones - a total of 5 150 ₽.
Deadlines depend on the method of submitting documents:
- 📱 Via
Public services: 1–3 days (including making an appointment). - 🏛️ Via traffic police without registration: 3–7 days (due to queues).
- 🏢 Via MFC: 5–10 days (longer due to transfer of documents to traffic police).
To save on government fees, pay them through Public services — there is a 30% discount until January 1, 2026.
5. Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Most refusals to re-register numbers are due to errors in documents or violation of the procedure. Here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:
- 🚫 Trying to re-arrange numbers without saving. If the previous owner did not apply for retention, the plates are automatically cancelled. Solution: get new license plates or negotiate with the previous owner to keep them (if the car has not yet been sold).
- 📄 Mismatch of data in PTS and STS. For example, if the documents have different VIN numbers or owner details. Solution: First fix the errors in traffic police, then resubmit your documents.
- ⏳ Expired certificate of preservation of numbers. It is valid for 360 days - if the period has expired, the numbers will have to be returned. Solution: follow the date on the certificate and submit documents in advance.
- 👥 Absence of one of the owners. If there is no power of attorney, traffic police will refuse. Solution: issue a notarized power of attorney or appear together.
- 💰 Unpaid fines or taxes. Before the procedure, check your debts on the website
GIBDD.RForTax.RU. Solution: Pay off debts and receive receipts.
Another common mistake is trying to use transit numbers (red) for constant driving. They are issued only for moving a car and are valid for a maximum of 20 days. After the expiration of the period, you face a fine of 500–800 rubles (Article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
What to do if the traffic police refused to re-register?
If you are refused, request a written justification (by law it must be provided within 3 days). Most often, refusal is associated with:
1. Incomplete package of documents - check the list again.
2. Inconsistency between data in PTS and STS - correct via traffic police.
3. If the car is wanted or under arrest, remove the restrictions through the court.
4. If you have an expired license plate retention certificate, get a new one.
If the refusal is illegal, appeal it through higher management traffic police or court.
6. Alternative methods: when re-registration of numbers is not possible
If you cannot legally transfer the plates (for example, the previous owner did not save them or the car was scrapped), consider alternative options:
- 🔢 Getting new numbers. Cost — 2,000 ₽, period — 1–5 days. Disadvantage: loss of old combinations.
- 📌 Buying "beautiful" numbers through an auction. On the website
GIBDD.RFAuctions are regularly held to sell rare combinations (for example, A001AA). Starting price - from 10,000 ₽. - 🔄 Car exchange with keeping license plates. If both owners agree, you can issue menu (barter) and save numbers for each.
- 🚗 Re-registering a car to a relative. If the car is transferred to a close relative, the license plates can be left without being saved (but the owner will remain the same person).
If it is important for you to save a specific combination (for example, "mascot number"), the only legal way is to save via Public services or traffic police. All other methods (buying license plates secondhand, falsifying documents) are punishable by law.
The only legal way to transfer license plates between cars with different owners is to save them through the traffic police and then install them on a new car. All other methods carry legal risks.
7. Frequently asked questions about re-registration of rooms
Is it possible to transfer license plates from my husband's car to my car without saving?
No, unless you are close relatives (spouses, parents/children). To transfer license plates between cars of different owners, it is necessary conservation through traffic police. An exception is if the car is re-registered to the same owner (for example, after a last name change).
How long is the number preservation certificate valid?
The certificate is valid 360 days from the date of issue. If during this time you have not installed license plates on a new car, they will have to be scrapped.
Is it possible to keep the plates if the car has already been sold?
Yes, but only if the new owner has not yet registered it. To do this, the previous owner must apply to retain the numbers for 10 days after sale. If the new owner has already registered the car, the license plates will be cancelled.
What happens if you drive a car with the previous owner's license plates?
This is equivalent to driving without registration (Article 12.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). Fine - from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles. If the license plates are listed in the database as scrapped, the car may be impounded.
Is it possible to transfer transit plates to a permanent car?
No, transit plates (red) are intended only for moving a car. They cannot be used permanently. Valid for up to 20 days, after which you need to get regular numbers.