The sale of state license plates from a car is one of the most controversial topics in the field of auto jurisprudence. On the one hand, the market for “beautiful” rooms has existed for decades, and the prices for rare combinations reach hundreds of thousands of rubles. On the other hand, the legislation strictly regulates the circulation of state signs, and ignorance of the nuances can result in fines, cancellation of numbers or even criminal liability. In this article, we'll look at it. Can you legally sell the car to another owner?How to do it without violations, and what pitfalls await the participants in the transaction.

It is important to understand that the license plate is not the property of the driver, but vehicle identificationissued by the State. Their turnover is tightly controlled. GABD and tax-service. However, there are several legal ways to transfer numbers – from re-registration of the car with the preservation of signs to participation in auctions for the sale of “beautiful” combinations. We will analyze all options, compare them on cost, timing and risks, and give step-by-step instructions for each case.

The article is relevant to 2026 and take into account recent changes in legislation, including amendments to the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399 (on registration of the vehicle) and Federal Law No. 283-FZ (on state registration). If you are planning to sell or buy rooms, carefully study all sections to avoid typical mistakes and financial losses.

Can I sell my license plates from my car by law?

Direct sale of state license plates provided by law. I agree. p. 3 Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399State signs are issued to a specific vehicle and its owner, and their turnover outside the registration procedure of the vehicle is prohibited. But there are Two legal ways to transfer numbers to another person:

  • 🔄 Retaining numbers when selling a car The new owner can keep the old signs if they have not been cancelled or lost.
  • 🏛️ Participation in the auction of traffic police The state periodically sells “beautiful” numbers (for example, with repeating numbers) through bidding on the platform. torgi.gov.ru.

Any other schemes (for example, the sale of numbers "turnkey" with temporary registration on a fake vehicle) are unlawfully And fraught:

  • ⚠️ Fined before 2 500 rubles for the unlawful use of state marks (st. 12.2 RF Administrative Code).
  • ⚠️ Cancellation of numbers and issuance of new ones - without the possibility of restoring old ones.
  • ⚠️ Criminal liability risk if the transaction is classified as fraud (see article)st. 159 CCRF).
⚠️ Attention: If you are offered to buy numbers “without documents” or using fake PTS – this is 100% fraudulent scheme. Such numbers will be canceled at the first check of the traffic police, and the money will not be returned.

The only safe option is Legal preservation of numbers when selling cars. Let's look at this process in more detail.

Step by step: how to save numbers when selling a car

If you are selling a car and want to keep your license plates (for example, to use them on a new car or sell them to another owner), follow this instruction:

  1. Enter a Sale and Purchase Agreement (PCP) with the buyer. In it, you must specify the paragraph: The buyer agrees to the retention of the state registration marks by the seller.
  2. Take the car off the record. through portal Or the traffic police department. In the application, select the option. "Keep the state number.".
  3. Give the buyer PTS and PST No numbers because they are still with you.
  4. Get a certificate of preservation of numbers (is issued to the traffic police or comes in electronic form on the state services).

Now the numbers are tied to name and may be:

  • 🔧 Installed on a new vehicle (during the 180 days after deregistration.
  • 💰 Sold to another owner, but only through re-registration (more on this below).

Prisoner DCP with a number-keeping note |

Passport holder |

PTSD of the car |

Certificate of registration of the vehicle (if any)|

Application for deregistration (completed on site)->

⚠️ Attention: If you do not install the saved numbers on the new car within 180 days, they will be cancelled and it will be impossible to restore them.

The cost of the procedure for saving numbers in 2026:

Service Cost (rupe) Time limit for implementation
Removal with retention of numbers 800 1 working day
Production of new numbers for the buyer 2 000 3-5 working days
Re-registration of numbers for a new vehicle 1 500 1 working day

How to sell the saved number to another owner?

The only way to sell the saved state numbers is in one way. Re-registered them to the new owner's car. For this:

  1. Find a buyer who agrees to buy your numbers and install them on your vehicle.
  2. Conclude. number-contract (sample downloadable) here). In it, specify:
    • 📄 The series and number of the state signs.
    • 💰 The transaction cost (usually from 10 000 to 500 000 rubles, depending on the “beauty” of the combination).
    • 📅 Numbers transfer date.
  • Please submit a joint statement to the CAB re-registration The buyer's car. This will require:
    • 📋 Contract of sale of numbers.
    • 📄 Passports from both sides.
    • 🚗 PTS and CTS of the buyer's car.
    • 💳 Receipt on payment of the state duty (1 500 rubles).

      • After checking the documents, the traffic police will reissue the numbers for a new owner. Old buyer signs (if any) will be cancelled and your numbers will be attached to his car.

      💡

      Before the transaction, check the history of numbers through the service check-up. If the marks are wanted or have restrictions, they will not be able to re-register.

      Auction traffic police: how to legally buy or sell “beautiful” numbers

      If you want to sell or buy "beautiful" rooms (e.g., A001AA 77 or X777X99The safest way to do this is to participate in DIBD auctions. The state regularly bidding for rare combinations that have previously been cancelled or released.

      How it works:

      1. The traffic police creates a lot of “beautiful” rooms and places it on the platform torgi.gov.ru.
      2. Bidders make deposits (usually) 5,000 to 10,000 rubles) and place bets.
      3. The winner pays the price of the lot and gets the right to register the numbers on his vehicle.

    Average prices at auctions in 2026:

    Type of number combination Cost (rupe)
    Three identical numbers A777AA 77 50 000 – 150 000
    Two pairs of identical numbers A1122A 77 30 000 – 80 000
    Numbers with repeating letters AAA123 77 100 000 – 300 000
    Numbers with "mirror" combinations A123AA 77 20 000 – 60 000

    Advantages of the auction:

    • ✅ Legality Numbers are transferred through the state system.
    • ✅ Guarantee of authenticity - There's no risk of getting caught up in a fake.
    • ✅ Transparency All bets are recorded in the protocol.

    Disadvantages:

    • ❌ High competition Popular numbers go over hundreds of thousands.
    • ❌ Limited choice In lots, usually 10-20 combinations.

    Yes, if the combination is rare |

    Only if the price is up to 50 000 rubles |

    No, it's a waste of money.

    I've already bought it.

    Risks and fraudulent schemes in the sale of numbers

    The market for the sale of state plates is teeming with scammers. Let's see. The Most Common Deception Schemes And how to avoid them:

    • 🚨 “Fake” cars - fraudsters register numbers for stolen or broken vehicles, and after the transaction, the car "disappears", and the signs are canceled.
    • 💳 Prepayment without guarantees The seller demands 100% payment before re-registration and then disappears.
    • 📄 Fake documents The buyer is shown a false certificate of preservation of numbers.
    • 🔄 "Double Selling" The same numbers are sold to several buyers.

    How to defend yourself:

    • 🔍 Check the history of the rooms through DIBD's official service.
    • 📝 Sign a contract of sale with notarization.
    • 💰 Use a letter of credit or a secure transaction through a bank.
    • 🚗 Re-register the numbers in the traffic police day-of-sale.
    ⚠️ Attention: If the seller refuses to go with you to the traffic police for re-registration or requires payment in cash without documents - this is a sure sign of fraud. It's better to refuse such a deal.
    Example of fraudulent number scheme

    Scammers find an owner who wants to sell “beautiful” numbers and offer a bargain price. On the day of the transaction, they bring a car with a fake PTS, which is temporarily registered numbers. After receiving the money, they take the car off the register (numbers are canceled), and the seller remains without money and without signs. It is impossible to restore the numbers in this case, since they were tied to a fake vehicle.

    How much do “beautiful” rooms cost in 2026?

    The price of the state number depends on region, numeral/letter combinations and demand. Below is the current price list for popular categories:

    Number category Example Price (rupe) Region
    Three identical numbers M777MM 77 80 000 – 200 000 Moscow, SPb
    Two pairs of identical numbers K1122K 99 40 000 – 100 000 Regions
    Numbers with repeating letters AAA001 77 150 000 – 500 000 Moscow
    "Mirror" numbers T123TT 77 30 000 – 80 000 Anybody.
    Numbers with "lucky" numbers O777OO 777 300 000 – 1 000 000+ Moscow

    The most expensive rooms are sold in Moscow (77, 99, 177, 977) and St. Petersburg (78, 98, 178). In the regions, prices are lower by 30-50%. For example, a number A777AA 77 Moscow 200,000-300,000 rublesAnd in Kazan, 80,000–120 rubles.

    The cost is also affected by:

    • 📅 Age of numbers Old Soviet signs (for example, 01-01 MMM) are valued higher.
    • 🔢 Unique combination Numbers with repeating characters are more expensive.
    • 📍 Prestige of the region Moscow and St. Petersburg rooms are always more expensive.
    💡

    Room prices are not regulated by the state, they are determined by the market. The most expensive deals reach 1-2 million rubles for unique combinations (for example, for the first time). A001AA 77).

    Income from the sale of state number plates is taxed Personal Income Tax (PIT) size 13%. For example, if you have sold the numbers for 200,000 rublesYou have to pay into the budget. 26,000 rubles.

    How to legally reduce the tax:

    • 📄 Use it. deduction size 250,000 rubles (If the property has been in possession for more than 3 years)
    • 💼 Make the deal like donation (But it is risky – the tax authorities may consider it a fake).
    • 📊 Specify in the contract cost (The price is lowered by fines).

    Also consider:

    • 📅 If the rooms were owned less than 3 yearsYou must submit a 3-NDFL declaration before April 30 next year.
    • 💰 When selling through an auction traffic police tax is withheld automatically (the winner pays the full amount, including 13%).
      • ⚠️ Attention: If you sell numbers for cash without a contract, the IRS may qualify it as tax-evasion (st. 198 Criminal Code) with a fine of up to 40% of the transaction amount.

      FAQ: Frequent questions about car license plate sales

      Can I sell the numbers without a car?

      No, sell the license plate directly without being tied to the vehicle. cannot. The only legal way is to keep the numbers when selling the car and then re-register them for the new owner’s car.

      What happens if you buy a number “by hand” without re-registration?

      Such numbers shall be considered unlawfully. At the first check of the traffic police they will be canceled, a fine will be issued. 2 500 rubles And they'll give out new signs. Money for “beautiful” rooms will not be returned.

      Can I return the saved numbers if I have not managed to put them on a new car?

      Nope. If you have not installed the saved numbers on the new vehicle during the 180 daysThey are automatically cancelled. They can't be restored.

      How do I check if I am not looking for a number?

      Use the official traffic police service: check-up. Enter the number in the field "State number check" The system will show whether the signs are wanted or under restrictions.

      Can I sell the numbers from a stolen car?

      No, that's it. unlawfully. If the car is stolen, its license plates automatically enter the wanted database. Any transaction with them will be qualified as complicity (st. 166 CCRF).