How to put other numbers on a car: legal methods and instructions

The desire to change the state registration plates (GRP) on their car arises among drivers for various reasons. Some people don’t like the digital combination, some want to keep the “thieves’” numbers when selling a car, and for others the signs have simply become unusable. Regardless of the motivation, the procedure requires a clear understanding of the law in order to avoid fines and problems with the traffic police.

This year the rules have become more flexible, allowing save numbers for the owner for a period of up to one year. This gives time to buy a new car or resolve organizational issues. However, many motorists still do not know how to properly initiate this process and what documents will be required for a visit to the registration department.

It is important to understand that you cannot simply “change” the numbers at the snap of your fingers - there must be good reasons for this, such as wear and tear, loss or change of owner. In our article we will analyze all the legal ways to obtain new signs, consider the cost of the service and answer the most common questions that arise when interacting with the traffic police.

Legal grounds for changing state numbers

The legislation of the Russian Federation clearly regulates situations when a car owner has the right to obtain new registration plates. Just coming in and asking for “other numbers” because you don’t like the old ones won’t work—the inspector will refuse to accept the application. The main document regulating this process is Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 399, which determines the procedure for registering vehicles.

One of the most common cases is physical wear and tear of the numbers. If the paint is worn off, the metal is warped, or the signs are deformed in such a way that identification is difficult, replacement is required. Also the basis is loss or theft license plates. In the latter case, it is recommended to first write a statement to the police in order to protect yourself from possible fraud with stolen numbers.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the situation when the owner wants to keep the combination for himself. This is true when selling a car: you can leave the “nice” license plates, and they will issue new ones for the car you are selling. In this case the old signs deposited with the traffic police for a period of up to 365 days. If you don't buy a new car within a year, the plates will be scrapped.

⚠️ Attention: Driving with unreadable or altered license plates will result in a fine of 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for a period of 1 to 3 months. Do not attempt to tape over or touch up signs.

There is also a replacement procedure when changing the region of registration of the owner, if the region codes on the numbers are different. Although this is not now a strict obligation, many drivers prefer to bring documents and signs in accordance with their current place of residence in order to avoid questions from traffic police inspectors in their home region.

The procedure for saving license plates when selling a car

If you are planning to sell your car, but want to keep the current registration plates for installation on a future purchase, you must act before the sale is completed. First you need to contact any registration department of the traffic police with an application for preservation of GRZ. Important: you must own the car, and there should be no registration restrictions on it.

During the inspection of the vehicle, the inspector will check the compliance of the VIN code, engine and body with the data in the title. If everything is in order, you will be given new numbers (standard, random combination), which you will install on the car you are selling, and your old “beautiful” numbers will be confiscated and will issue a certificate of their preservation. This act is the main document that allows you to later install them on a new car.

To complete the procedure, you will need to collect a package of documents. It is standard for any registration actions, but has its own characteristics regarding the application.

• 📄 Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation (owner).
• 🚗 Vehicle Passport (PTS) - original.
• 📑 Vehicle Registration Certificate (CTC).
• 📝 Application for preservation of state protection rights (can be filled out on site or through State Services).
• 💰 Receipt for payment of state duties.

Once you receive new decals for your old car and a preservation deed, you can safely sell the car. The buyer will receive a car with new license plates, and you will have the right to install your old plates on any other vehicle that you register in your name for a year.

Replacing numbers if damaged or lost

Situations where license plates become unusable often occur due to harsh weather conditions, reagents on the roads or mechanical damage when parking. If at least one number or letter is difficult to read, this is already a reason for replacement. Replacement is also necessary if the signs were stolen along with part of the body or independently.

The procedure in this case is simpler than when saving, since you do not need to wait for the purchase of a new car. You simply apply for issuance of new licenses. Old ones, if you have them on hand (for example, when replacing them due to wear), must be submitted to the document acceptance window. Based on them, duplicates or new signs with the same combination will be made for you, or, if lost, they will be assigned a new one.

It is important to distinguish between complete loss and partial damage. If only one sign (front or back) was stolen, you will have to replace it both numbers. You can't drive with one license plate and keep the other in the glove compartment "just in case." The inspector will issue a fine for the absence of one of the signs, and when checking the database, questions may arise about the status of the second.

It is worth remembering that if the number has been stolen, there is a risk that it could be used by criminals. Therefore, contacting the police is not just bureaucracy, but a way to protect yourself from receiving other people’s fines or, even worse, accusations of crimes committed under your number.

Cost of services and required state duties

The financial side of the issue is one of the key points that worries car owners. The cost consists of several components: issuing the metal signs themselves, making changes to the STS and, if necessary, issuing a new PTS (if the old one is full or does not meet the new standards). Prices are fixed and established by the Tax Code of the Russian Federation.

Below is a table with current prices for government services related to the replacement of license plates. Please note that the cost of manufacturing the hardware itself may vary if you contact private licensed organizations, but the state duty is the same for everyone.

Thus, the minimum amount that will have to be paid for a complete replacement of numbers and documents will be 2850 rubles (2000 + 500 + 350). If you are applying through the portal Public services, then until recently there was a 30% discount, but in the current period its application may be suspended, so it is better to count on the full price.

Step-by-step instructions: how to get new numbers

The process of obtaining new numbers is streamlined and takes little time if you prepare correctly. The first step is making an appointment. This can be done through the terminal at the traffic police department, but more reliably and faster - through the portal Public services. Select the service "Vehicle Registration", then "Change registration data" and then "Receive vehicle registration plates, PTS or registration plates to replace those that are lost or have become unusable."

After completing the online form and paying the fees (if online payment is available), you will be given a date and time for your visit. At the appointed time, you must bring the car to the site for inspection. The inspector will check the cleanliness of the body where the VIN code is applied, check the engine number and inspect the license plates themselves (if the replacement is due to damage).

After a successful inspection, you are directed to the document acceptance window. There you hand over your old license plates (if you have them), an application, PTS, STS and passport. After some time, you will be given new signs, a new STS and a mark in the PTS. The entire process under ideal conditions takes from 1 to 2 hours.

They cannot be installed on a car or sold as souvenirs - they must be returned. If you change the numbers due to loss, then in the traffic police database they will be marked as lost, and any attempt to use them by third parties will be a signal to the police.

Frequent mistakes and legal nuances

When replacing license plates, drivers often make mistakes that lead to repeated visits to the traffic police. The most common of them is an attempt to install numbers in another region without changing registration. Although formally the law Allows leave numbers of any region upon sale, during initial registration or restoration of lost marks, you will, as a rule, be given numbers of your current region of registration.

Another mistake is ignoring the condition of fasteners. If, when replacing plates due to wear, it turns out that the holes in the body have been overcooked or the body structure has been changed, the inspector has the right to refuse registration and send it for examination. Therefore, before your visit, make sure that the car is in factory condition.

⚠️ Attention: Do not buy “duplicate” license plates secondhand or from dubious companies without documents. Installing such signs is equivalent to using fake license plates, which is a criminal offense.

It is also worth considering the nuance with the categories of transport. If you are changing plates on a truck or bus, the location and size requirements for the signs may be different than on passenger cars. Violation of installation standards (for example, placing a frame that covers a region letter) is also grounds for a fine.

Questions and answers (FAQ)