The procedure for alienating a vehicle today has been simplified as much as possible by the legislator, but issues related to state registration still cause a lot of difficulties for car owners. This is especially true for situations where the owner wants to retain the current state registration plates (GRZ) to install them on a new car or simply save them as a memorable attribute. Previously, this required going through complex bureaucratic procedures with mandatory re-registration of license plates for another vehicle within a limited time.
Modern legislation, in particular Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 399, has made significant adjustments, making the process more transparent and convenient. Now the owner has every right to deregister the car for subsequent sale, keeping the license plates in his hands or at the traffic police, without the need to hastily look for a “donor” for re-hanging. This allows you to avoid unnecessary costs for making duplicates and bureaucratic delays.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions, the required package of documents, the amount of state duties and nuances that are often forgotten. You will learn how to fill out an application correctly, whether you should leave the plates in storage at the department or take them with you, and what risks exist when selling a car “by numbers”.
Legislative framework and new rules for preserving GRZUnderstanding the legal framework is the key to successfully completing the procedure without unnecessary nerves and financial losses. Since 2020, Russia has updated registration rules that clearly regulate the procedure for assigning and maintaining numbers. State registration plate is now considered as a separate accounting object that can be assigned to a specific owner for a certain period.
According to current standards, the storage period for the owner's numbers is 365 days. This is a critical parameter and differs from the old rules, where the period was often only 180 days. During this year, you can purchase a new car (or motorcycle, subject to the vehicle type and region) and transfer the saved number to it.
It is important to note that the legislation separates the concepts of “deregistration” and “termination of registration”. To sell a car while keeping the number, you need to deregister it due to alienation. At the same time, the application must explicitly indicate the desire to preserve the GRZ.
⚠️ Attention: If you do not have time to register a new car within 365 days, the right to retain the number expires. The license plates will go into the general pool of free traffic police numbers, and it will no longer be possible to return them.
Necessary documents and requirements for the carBefore visiting the registration and examination unit (REU) of the traffic police, you must carefully prepare a package of documents. The absence of even one certificate may result in refusal to accept the application or loss of time in line. The main document is vehicle passport (PTS), which can be either paper or electronic.
If the PTS is electronic, you do not need to print anything - the inspector will see all the data in the database. However, it is recommended to have an extract from the EPTS with you, which can be ordered through electronic passport portals. You will also need your Russian passport and a valid insurance policy. OSAGO (although formally it may not be asked for when deregistering, its presence confirms the legal purity of the car’s status).
The car must be technically sound as far as identification numbers are concerned. VIN code, body and chassis numbers must be legible and free from signs of corrosion that would make it difficult to read, or signs of handicraft restoration.
- 🚗 Vehicle passport (original or extract from EPTS).
- 🆔 Passport of the owner of the car (civil passport of the Russian Federation).
- 📄 Vehicle registration certificate (STS) - original.
- 💰 Receipts for payment of government fees (paid before submission).
- 📝 Application for deregistration (filled out on site or through State Services).
Step-by-step instructions: how to apply and pay feesThe application process has been significantly simplified with the introduction of the State Services portal, however, a personal visit to the traffic police is still required to submit license plates and receive documents. It is recommended to start by filling out the electronic form, which will allow you to avoid mistakes when filling out forms manually.
On the portal, you must select the “Deregistration of a vehicle” service and indicate the reason - “Disposal” or “Sale”. In the special field, check the box “Preservation of state registration plates is required.” The system will automatically generate an application and book you in at a convenient time.
The next stage is payment of state duties. It is important to choose the correct details, since the payment for “issuing numbers” and “making changes to the STS” differs. To save the number, you will need to pay for the issuance of a new STS for the car (if you plan to immediately install it on another car, but in this case we deregister it) and, in fact, the service for saving the number.
Service codes for payment (approximate, check in your region):
- Making changes to a previously issued PTS: 350 rubles.
- Issuance of a new STS: 500 rubles.
- Preservation of GRZ: 2000 rub. (when paying through State Services, a 30% discount is possible, but the function is unstable).
☑️ Checklist before going to the traffic police
The procedure for inspecting a car and handing over license platesThe day of visiting the traffic police requires punctuality and readiness for bureaucratic procedures. It is better to arrive at the inspection site 15-20 minutes before the appointed time. The inspector must verify that the vehicle actually exists and verify unit numbers with data in the database.
You will need to open the hood, clean the VIN code area from dirt and provide access to the interior. The inspector will complete an inspection report, which will then be included with your application. If your car has license plates that you want to keep, the inspector may ask you to remove them on the spot or accept them in a special window “Accepting license plates.”
After a successful inspection and submission of numbers, you go to the operating room to receive the final documents. They will give it to you vehicle registration card (or a note in the PTS about deregistration) and, most importantly, a package of documents for the saved license plates.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to drill or modify license plates yourself before submitting. Any damage that makes identification difficult will result in refusal to keep the number and the requirement to make duplicates at your own expense before delivery.
Cost table and required actionsFor clarity, let’s consider the main financial and time costs that a car owner will face. Amounts may vary slightly depending on the region and payment method, but the basic rates are established by federal law.
| Action/Service | Cost (RUB) | Due date | Required document |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preservation of GRZ (state duty) | 2 000 | On the day of treatment | Application, PTS, STS |
| Issuance of a new STS (when data is changed) | 500 | On the day of treatment | Passport, PTS |
| Making changes to the PTS | 350 | On the day of treatment | PTS (paper) |
| Making duplicates of state registration documents (if lost) | from 2,000 to 5,000 | 1 hour - 1 day | Passport, STS |
What to do if the inspector finds a discrepancy in the VIN code?
If corrosion is found on the body or frame, hiding some of the numbers, or traces of welding, the inspector will order an examination. In this case, the deregistration procedure will be suspended until the conclusion of a forensic expert is received. This may take from 10 to 30 days. Treat the VIN code area with a penetrating lubricant in advance and carefully clean with a brush to avoid such situations.
What to do with numbers after deregistrationAfter successfully completing the procedure, you will have in your hands a package of documents confirming ownership of the saved number. They should be stored in a safe place, ideally together with the documents for the future car. The license plates physically remain with you; they do not need to be archived, unless a specific traffic police department requires otherwise (which is rare; usually the plates are handed out in a sealed envelope or simply given away).
When you purchase a new car, you will be able to use the saved license plate. To do this, when registering a new car, you must submit a corresponding application. If the area codes are different, you won't be able to keep the old number - you'll have to get a new one with the current area code.
It is also worth considering the technical condition of the license plates themselves. If during storage they have lost their reflective properties, become rusty or have received mechanical damage, the traffic police has the right to refuse to install them on a new car. In this case you will have to order duplicates from accredited manufacturers.
- 📅 Keep track of the validity period (365 days) - set reminders in your calendar.
- 🌍 Check that the region code on the number and in the passport of the new owner matches.
- 🛡️ Protect signs from scratches and fading - store in a dry place.
When storing house numbers, do not use harsh chemicals to clean them before installation. Wipe them with a soft cloth and soapy water. Abrasives can damage the reflective film, which will be the basis for a fine when checked on the road.
Number saving is a paid service with a limited validity period. Make sure to plan your new car purchase within a year, otherwise you'll lose money and a nice number.
Frequent mistakes and legal nuancesOne of the most common mistakes is an attempt to sell a car “along with license plates” to a new owner without deregistration. This is a legal trap. According to the law, when a car is sold, the license plates remain with the owner (if he has not returned them) or go to waste, and the buyer receives a car with new license plates or with those that were on the car, but already registered to him. You cannot sell the “right to a license plate” separately from the car.
Another important point concerns inheritance. Right to a saved number not inherited. If the owner of the number passes away without having time to install it on a new car, the number “burns out” and returns to the general traffic police pool. Heirs cannot receive this number for themselves, even if they have a corresponding will.
Also, many people forget that when deregistered for sale, the MTPL policy does not expire automatically. You must contact the insurance company to terminate the contract and return part of the premium for the unused period. This also applies to vehicle tax - notify the tax office about the sale so as not to pay extra.
⚠️ Attention: Do not believe advertisements about “selling beautiful license plates” without a car. Legally, such transactions are impossible. The number is tied to a specific person (owner), and not to the car. Transferring the number is only possible through the procedure of saving and subsequent installation on your new car.
Is it possible to keep the number if the car is on loan or collateral?
You can deregister and save the number only if you are the full owner. If the PTS is in the bank and the car is pledged, the consent of the pledge holder (bank) will be required for any registration actions. Without this, the traffic police will refuse to deregister.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Can I keep the number if I sell the car to another region?
Yes, you can deregister a car and keep the number, even if the buyer is from another region. However, in order to use this number in the future, you must be registered in the same region whose code is indicated on the license plates. If you move to another region, you will have to give up your number.
What happens if I do not register the car with the saved number 365 days in advance?
After 365 days, the right to use the saved number is revoked. The license plates will be disposed of or returned to traffic police for issue to other citizens. It will not be possible to restore the right to this specific character set.
Do I need to take my old car to the traffic police to keep the license plate?
Yes, vehicle inspection is required. The inspector must make sure that the car is available, check the VIN number and components, and also check that the car is not wanted and has no registration restrictions.
Is it possible to save the motorcycle number to put it on the car?
No, that's impossible. A retained state registration plate can only be installed on a vehicle of the same type. A number from a motorcycle can only be placed on another motorcycle, a number from a passenger car can only be placed on a passenger car (or trailer, depending on the category, but the type of vehicle must match).