How to re-register old license plates for a new car: a complete guide with an analysis of the pitfalls

Maintaining familiar license plates when purchasing a new car is a challenge faced by thousands of drivers every year. For some, this is a matter of maintaining a “beautiful” number with a successful combination of numbers; for others, it is a desire to avoid bureaucratic delays in obtaining new signs. However, the procedure for transferring license plates from one car to another is regulated by strict traffic police rules, and mistakes here can result in fines or the need to redo documents.

In this article we will look at all legal ways preserving old license plates, from the standard procedure in the MREO to the nuances with temporary signs and electronic PTS. We will pay special attention validity periods of documents, hidden costs and typical mistakes due to which drivers receive refusals. And for those who plan to sell an old car while keeping the license plates, we will provide a step-by-step algorithm taking into account the latest changes in legislation in 2026.

Let us note right away: the procedure is not as simple as it might seem. For example, many people do not know that when changing ownership of an old car numbers are automatically “linked” to the new owner, and a separate application is required to save them. Or that temporary transit numbers cannot be used for longer than 20 days - otherwise you will have to pay a fine of up to 2,500 rubles. We will discuss these and other traps below.

Important: if you buy a car on credit or lease, the bank may impose restrictions on keeping old license plates. Check this point before signing the contractto avoid conflicts.

1. When you can keep old numbers and when you can’t: legal basis

The ability to transfer license plates is regulated By Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399 (clause 33.1) and Government Decree No. 1764. According to these documents, you can save old numbers in two cases:

• 🔄 When replacing a car (buying a new car instead of an old one, if the old one is deregistered or sold)
• 📄 While retaining ownership (for example, if you change a car, but remain its sole owner in the title)

However, there are strict restrictions:

• ❌ You can't keep the numbers if the car is old already sold to another owner — the signs are automatically transferred to the new owner.
• ❌ You can't use expired plates (for example, transit signs older than 20 days).
• ❌ You can't transfer license plates to a vehicle of a different category (for example, from a passenger car to a truck).

It is also important to consider regional reference: If you buy a car in another region, you may need to replace the plates with local ones (although this rule has been relaxed in some cases since 2020).

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to re-register license plates for a new car

The procedure consists of 4 required steps. Missing any of them may result in a refusal from the traffic police.

Step 1. Deregistration of the old car

If you sell old car, but want to keep the license plates:

1. Conclude a purchase and sale agreement with the following note: "License plates remain with the seller".
2. During 10 days submit an application to the traffic police to save the license plates (form No. 2).
3. Get certificate of deregistration (without it, new numbers will not be issued!).

If the car is old disposed of or leased, the procedure is simplified - it is enough to provide a disposal certificate or a leasing agreement.

Step 2. Preparing documents for a new car

To transfer license plates to a new car you will need:

• 📋 Owner’s passport (original + copy)
• 📄 PTS or electronic passport of a new car
• 📝 Purchase and sale agreement (or other document confirming ownership)
• 🔑 Certificate of deregistration of the old car (if applicable)
• 💰 Receipt for payment of state duty (800 rubles for maintaining numbers + 2,000 rubles for issuing new documents)
• 🚗 Old license plates (they must be presented when submitting documents)

Step 3. Submitting documents to the traffic police

You can make an appointment through:

• 🌐 State Services portal (fastest way)
• 📞 Telephone number of the traffic police unified call center: 8 (495) 539-54-54
• 🏛 In person at the nearest MREO (but be prepared for queues)

When submitting documents, the inspector will check:

1. Correspondence of the VIN number of the new car to the data in the PTS.
2. No restrictions on registration actions (checked using the traffic police database).
3. Expiration date of temporary numbers (if they were used).

What to do if the traffic police refuses to transfer license plates?

If you are refused, request a written justification with reference to a specific clause of the law. A common reason is a discrepancy between the data in the sales contract and the title. A refusal is also possible if fines or seizures have been imposed on the old car (even if the car has already been sold).

Step 4. Receiving documents

If everything is in order, you will be given:

• 📄 New vehicle registration certificate (STS) indicating old numbers.
• 🔖 Inspection report car (if an inspection was carried out).
• 📋 A copy of the application with a note to save the numbers.

Document production time: from 1 to 3 working days. In some MREOs you can get everything on the day you apply (check in advance).

3. How much does it cost to keep old numbers: full cost calculation

Many drivers underestimate hidden costsrelated to number portability. In addition to the state fee, additional payments may be required.

Expense item	Cost (RUB)	Notes
State duty for maintaining numbers	800	Paid upon submission of documents
State duty for issuing a new STS	2 000	If you apply through State Services - 30% discount
Vehicle inspection (if required)	0–500	In some MREO inspections are free
Making duplicate numbers (if lost)	2 000–3 500	Price depends on region and material
Legal services (optional)	1 500–5 000	Help with paperwork

Total minimum amount - 2,800 rubles (when paying through State Services). The maximum can reach 10,000 rubles, if you need to restore lost documents or contact intermediaries.

4. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced drivers sometimes make mistakes that lead to refusal at the traffic police or fines. Here are the most common:

⚠️ Attention! If you sold your old car, but did not have time to submit an application to save the plates within 10 days, they automatically pass to the new owner. It will be possible to return them back only through the court - and this will take 2-6 months.

Error 1: Using temporary numbers longer than 20 days

Temporary transit signs are issued at maximum 20 days. If you do not have time to register your car within this period, you will have to pay a fine. 1,500–2,500 rubles (Article 12.1 of the Administrative Code). In this case, saving old numbers will become impossible - you will have to get new ones.

Error 2: Mismatch of data in the PTS and the purchase and sale agreement

If in PTS one full name of the owner is indicated, and in purchase and sale agreement - other (for example, due to a typo), the traffic police will refuse registration. Always check:

• 🔠 Correct spelling Full name (including middle name).
• 📍 Accuracy registration addresses.
• 📅 Date of conclusion of the contract (must match the date in the PTS).

Mistake 3: Buying a car with a “problematic” history

If the old car was subject to arrests, fines or restrictions on registration actions, this may block number portability. Before purchasing, check the car through the following services:

• 🔍 Official website of the traffic police (check for arrests).
• 💰 Fines.rf (checking debts).
• 📑 Autocode (full car history).

What to do if the new car is already registered under the previous owner?

In this case, the transfer of numbers is impossible - you will have to first deregister the car (by proxy or through notarial consent), and then register it again. This will take up to 30 days.

5. Features of number portability in different situations

The procedure may differ depending on how you purchase a new car and what happens to the old one. Let's sort it out 5 most common scenarios.

Scenario 1: Buying a new car at a dealership

If you buy a car from an official dealer:

• 📝 The dealer will arrange it himself certificate-invoice and hand it over to the traffic police.
• 🔑 All you have to do is apply to save your numbers.
• ⏳ Registration period is reduced to 1–2 days.

Scenario 2: Buying a used car from an individual

What's important here is:

• 🤝 In the purchase and sale agreement necessarily indicate: "License plates remain with the seller".
• 📅 Deregister an old car up to purchasing a new one (otherwise the numbers will be “attached” to the buyer).
• 💸 Payment of the state duty falls on the new owner (unless otherwise specified in the contract).

Scenario 3: Disposal of an old car

If your old car is sent for recycling:

• 🗑 Need to get recycling act in a specialized organization.
• 📋 Submit the act to the traffic police along with an application to save the license plates.
• ⚠️ If you dispose of a car without deregistration, the license plates will be canceled automatically!

Scenario 4: Leasing or loan

Banks and leasing companies often prohibit saving old numbers. Arguments:

• 🏦 The car is collateral, and any changes in registration must be agreed upon.
• 📉 The numbers can be “linked” to the loan agreement (for example, if they are specified in the CASCO policy).

Solution: check the conditions with the bank in advance and include the possibility of saving the numbers in the loan agreement.

Scenario 5: Buying a car in another region

Since 2020, porting numbers between regions is allowed, but there are some nuances:

• 📍 The numbers will remain with the same area code (for example, 77 for Moscow).
• 🚛 If you are moving for permanent residence to another region, it is better to change the numbers to local ones (this will simplify interaction with the traffic police).
• 💰 There are no additional fees for interregional transfer.

6. Alternative methods: temporary numbers and electronic PTS

If for some reason you cannot save your old numbers, you can consider alternative options.

Temporary transit numbers

Issued at 20 days and allow you to travel without permanent registration. However:

• ⏳ The period cannot be extended - only get new numbers.
• 🚫 It is prohibited to travel abroad.
• 💰 Cost - 1,600 rubles (state duty + manufacturing).

Suitable if you:

• 🔄 You change the car and wait for the documents to be processed.
• 🛠 You are repairing your car, and it is temporarily not running.

Electronic PTS

From 2021 electronic vehicle passports equal to paper ones. Benefits:

• 📲 You can submit documents for registration online through State Services.
• ⏱ The registration period is reduced to 1 day.
• 🔒 Data is protected from forgery.

However, to transfer license plates you will still need to visit the traffic police in person to present the car.

Buying "beautiful" numbers through an auction

If your old numbers cannot be saved, you can purchase new ones through traffic police auction. Prices vary:

• 💎 Unique combinations (for example, AAA 777) - from 50,000 to 500,000 rubles.
• 🔢 Simple “beautiful” numbers (for example, XXX 111) - from 10,000 to 30,000 rubles.

7. Fines and liability: what happens if you break the rules

Incorrect number transfer or late registration can result in serious fines.

Violation	Fine (rub.)	Additional Consequences
Driving without registration for more than 10 days	1 500–2 000	Towing a car to a parking lot
Use of expired temporary numbers	2 500	Cancellation of numbers
Forgery of documents for number porting	Up to 80,000	Criminal liability (Article 327 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation)
Numbers do not match the data in the STS	500–1 000	You will have to re-issue the documents

⚠️ Attention! If you sold an old car, but did not deregister it, all fines for this car will come to your name. To avoid problems, check the status of the car on the traffic police website once a month for six months after the sale.

8. Frequently asked questions and expert answers

Can I keep the plates if the old car has already been sold to another person?

No. According to clause 33.1 of the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399, the numbers are automatically transferred to the new owner upon re-registration. They can only be returned through the court by proving that there was an error in the purchase and sale agreement.

How long does the number porting procedure take?

When submitting documents through State Services - 1–3 business days. If you contact the MREO without an appointment, the process may take up to 10 days (due to queues for inspection).

Is it possible to keep license plates when buying a car on credit?

Depends on the bank. Some creditors (eg. Sberbank or VTB) allow the transfer of license plates if the car is pledged without restrictions. Others (eg. Raiffeisen) prohibit any changes in registration until the loan is fully repaid. Check the terms and conditions in the loan agreement.

What should I do if the traffic police lost my documents?

Request a written refusal stating the reason. If the documents are truly lost, file a complaint addressed to the head of the MREO. In most cases the problem is resolved within 5 working days.

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

No. Numbers are linked to vehicle categories. Transfer is possible only within one category (for example, from a passenger car to a passenger car, or from a truck to a truck).