Changing state registration plates (GRP) is a procedure that any vehicle owner may encounter at any time. There are many reasons for this: from the banal loss or theft of plates to their mechanical damage or the owner’s desire to keep a “beautiful” number. In 2026, the process has become much more transparent and simpler thanks to the digitalization of services, but it still requires strict adherence to bureaucratic procedures and financial investments.
Many car enthusiasts mistakenly believe that changing license plates is a difficult quest with endless queues at the traffic police. In fact, if you prepare all the necessary documents and make an appointment in advance, the entire operation will take no more than an hour. It is important to understand that car operation driving without registration plates or with unreadable signs is strictly prohibited and entails serious fines, including deprivation of rights.
In this article, we will analyze in detail all the nuances of the process: when replacement is required, and when repairs can be done, how much it costs and what documents are required. You will find out whether it is possible to keep the old license plate when selling a car and what to do if the plates are stolen right from the parking lot. Knowing these rules will help you avoid unnecessary expenses and problems with the law.
When is a mandatory replacement of the gas valve necessary?
The legislation clearly regulates situations in which replacing numbers is mandatory. Most often, owners are faced with physical damage to signs. If the number is so rusty that one or more numbers (letters) are no longer readable, or if the plate is deformed (bent, broken), the inspector has every right to issue a fine and send you for a replacement. Unreadable number is equivalent to its absence.
Another common reason is loss or theft. If you find that there is no license plate on the car, or it was stolen along with the bumper, you must immediately contact the authorities. In this case, the old numbers are put on the wanted list, and new ones are issued to you. Also, replacement is required when there is a change of owner if he does not want to retain the previous signs, although by law it is now possible to retain the GRZ for the previous owner or transfer it to a new one.
⚠️ Attention: Operating a car with license plates that have mechanical damage that prevents them from being read, or with homemade signs, is strictly prohibited. This may be considered an attempt to conceal the vehicle's identity.
There is also a procedure for changing regional codes. If you have moved from one region to another, from 2026 you do not have to change your plates to new ones with the new region code, unless you deregister the car. However, if you want to bring the region code into line with your registration, you can go through the re-registration procedure. This is voluntary, but makes it easier to interact with local services.
Preparation of documents and collection of necessary papers
The first step before visiting the registration department is to collect a package of documents. Errors at this stage can lead to refusal to accept the application and loss of time. The main document is passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation owner of the vehicle. If the procedure is carried out by a representative under a power of attorney, the original power of attorney and his passport will also be required.
The second critical document is the PTS (Vehicle Passport). In the paper version, changes will be made to it regarding new numbers. If you have an electronic PTS (EPTS), the data will be updated in the database automatically, but it is highly advisable to have an extract from the EPTS with you. The third element of the package is the STS (Vehicle Registration Certificate), which is also subject to replacement.
Don't forget to prepare your MTPL insurance policy. Although technically, a new policy is not always required to change license plates (since the car's license plate number remains the same until the change is made), having valid insurance is a prerequisite for the car to be allowed on the road when moving. Without a policy, you may not be allowed into the territory of the MREO.
Cost of state duties and financial expenses
The financial side of the issue is one of the main factors of concern to car owners. In 2026, tariffs for public services were indexed, so it is important to be prepared for the costs. The bulk of the amount is the state duty for issuing new registration plates. There is also a fee for making changes to registration data.
If you contact a commercial organization to make duplicates (provided that you have the old numbers on hand and they are simply damaged or you want the same new ones), the cost will be market and may vary depending on the region and urgency. However, the official procedure through the traffic police has fixed tariffs set by the state.
| Type of service | Cost (RUB) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance of new license plates (metal) | 2 000 | For a set of two numbers |
| Making changes to the PTS | 350 | For paper PTS |
| Issuance of a new STS | 500 | Plastic card |
| Total (standard) | 2 850 | Minimum amount |
It is important to note that when paying state fees through the State Services portal (if this option remains available this year), you can sometimes get a discount, although in recent years the practice of using a coefficient of 0.7 has been revised. Check the latest information in your personal account. Payment is made before submitting documents; a receipt (or check) is attached to the application.
Replacement procedure: step-by-step algorithm
The process of changing numbers can be divided into several clear stages. If your license plates have been stolen, the first step is to contact the police to file a report of the theft. This will protect you from fines if your license plates appear on cameras recording violations while criminals are using them. After receiving the notification coupon, you can move on.
The following is a record in the traffic police. This can be done in person at the terminal or online. At the appointed time, you arrive in a car (without license plates or with damaged ones) to the MREO site. The car must be presented for inspection. The inspector checks VIN code, body and engine numbers with data in the documents, making sure that the car is not stolen and does not have hidden modifications.
☑️ Checklist before going to the traffic police
After a successful inspection, you submit a package of documents to the reception window. Old numbers (if any) are handed over for recycling. In return, you receive new metal plates, a new STS and a mark in the PTS (or updated EPTS). The entire process, including waiting in line, usually takes from 40 minutes to 2 hours, depending on how busy the department is.
⚠️ Attention: If one license plate (front or rear) is stolen, the second one must also be surrendered. Driving with one license plate is prohibited. You will be given a complete new kit.
Features of the procedure for loss and theft
The situation with the loss or theft of numbers is the most stressful for the owner. The main difference from a regular replacement is the need to confirm the fact of loss. If you simply lost a number that was drawn while running, the procedure is similar to replacing damaged signs, but without having to turn in the old physical object. You are writing a statement about the loss.
In case of theft the situation is more complicated. As mentioned earlier, without a police certificate or a coupon notification of acceptance of the application, you may be refused to issue new license plates, since the old ones are considered valid. This is a security measure to prevent double registration scams.
There is an important nuance: if you found your lost number after you received new ones and disposed of the old ones (or declared them lost), you can no longer use the found sign. It is listed in the database as invalid. An attempt to install it on a car will be considered a violation of registration rules.
What to do if the license plates were stolen along with documents?
In this case, the algorithm becomes more complicated. You must first restore your passport (through the MFC or the police), then obtain a certificate of loss of documents for the car. Only with a new passport and certificates can you begin the procedure for restoring numbers and STS. At this moment, it is better to keep the car in a guarded parking lot, since you cannot drive it without documents and license plates.
Retaining the number when selling or changing ownership
Often the question “how to change plates” arises not because of their loss, but because of the seller’s desire to keep a “thieves” or just a nice number when selling a car. Since 2026, the procedure has become as simplified as possible. You do not need to hand over your license plates to the traffic police and wait for them to be stored for six months.
Now the owner can write an application for the preservation of the GRZ directly during the purchase and sale transaction. The old numbers remain in the hands of the seller (or are stored in the traffic police at his request, but not more than 1 year), and the buyer is given new, random numbers from the existing reserve. This allows the seller to transfer their favorite number to another vehicle in the future.
However, there are conditions: the car to which you want to transfer the saved number must be registered to the same person (or to a close relative, subject to certain conditions of gift/transfer) and have the same regional code. You cannot save a number with the code “777” and put it on a car registered in region “150” without changing the owner’s registration.
Keep receipts for payment of state fees for storing license plates. If you do not have time to use the saved GRZ within a year, it will be transferred to the general pool and it will be impossible to return it.
Frequently asked questions and important nuances (FAQ)
Below are answers to the most common questions that motorists have in the process of replacing registration plates.
Is it possible to change license plates without the presence of the car owner?
Theoretically, this is possible with a power of attorney, but in practice inspectors often require the personal presence of the owner to verify signatures and identify individuals, especially when changing the state license. It is better to clarify this with a specific MREO in advance.
Do I need to change numbers if the owner's registration has changed?
No, it is not necessary to change numbers due to a change of registration (within one region or even to another region). You can drive with your old plates until the end of their service life or until the car is sold. However, if you want to match your area code with your new passport, you have the right to do so.
What happens if you drive with dirty license plates in winter?
According to current traffic regulations, if a number is covered with mud or snow so that at least one sign is not readable, this is equivalent to the absence of a number. The fine is 500 rubles (Part 1 of Article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation), but in case of repeated violation or aggressive behavior of the inspector, more stringent measures may be applied. It is recommended to wipe down the rooms before each trip.
How long do the numbers take if they are not changed?
Metal plates have no expiration date as long as they are legible. They need to be changed only if damaged, lost or at the request of the owner. However, if when replacing the STS (for example, when changing your last name) you do not change the numbers, they will remain valid, but the connection with your new STS will appear in the database.