Selling a car is often accompanied by the question: is it possible to keep the old license plates? This is relevant for owners who are tied to a combination of numbers, collectors of rare series, or those who are planning to buy a new car and want to transfer the numbers to it. In 2026, the procedure for preserving license plates is regulated By Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399 and has clear rules - violating them can lead to fines or the inability to restore numbers in the future.

In this article we will analyze all legal ways to save numbers — from temporary deregistration to re-registration for another vehicle, as well as nuances for individuals and legal entities. You will learn how much it costs, what documents are needed and how to avoid common mistakes. We will pay special attention to the changes for 2023–2026: now to save numbers no mandatory installation required on a new car for 180 days - they can be stored indefinitely, but under certain conditions.

According to clause 33 of the Vehicle Registration Rules, saving license plates is allowed in three cases:

  • 🔄 Selling or donating a car — the numbers are deregistered and can be installed on another vehicle in the future.
  • 🚗 Buying a new car — transferring license plates from an old car to a new one (including from a credit car to a personal one).
  • 📄 Deregistration of a vehicle for disposal — the numbers remain with the owner if he does not plan to rent them out.

Important: saving numbers impossible, if:

  • ❌ The numbers were issued temporarily (transit or for transportation).
  • ❌ The car was stolen or is wanted.
  • ❌ The numbers have damage that does not match GOST R 50577-93 (e.g. chipped paint, bent edges).

From 2023, the requirement for the mandatory installation of saved numbers on a new vehicle within 180 days has been abolished. Now they can be stored indefinitely, but with two conditions:

⚠️ Attention: If you do not install plates on a new car within 10 years, they will be canceled automatically. Also, you cannot transfer saved numbers to another person - they remain only with the person to whom they were originally registered.
📊 Did you save the license plates when selling your car?
Yes, I transferred it to a new car
Yes, but I don't use it yet
No, I didn't know about this possibility
No, I don't see the point

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to save license plates when selling a car

The procedure consists of 4 required steps. Let's look at each in detail.

Step 1. Preparing documents

You will need:

  • 📋 Owner's passport (original + copy).
  • 🚘 PTS (vehicle passport) - if the car is on credit, the bank’s permission will be required.
  • 📄 Vehicle registration certificate (STS).
  • 💰 Receipt for payment of state duty (350 rubles for saving numbers).
  • 📝 Sales and purchase agreement (if the car has already been sold) or an application for deregistration.

Step 2. Submitting an application to the traffic police

An application can be submitted:

  • 🏛️ In person at the traffic police department — through a terminal or reception window.
  • 💻 Via Public services — the service is called “Deregistration of a vehicle to save license plates.”
  • 📱 At the MFC - if this service is activated in your region.

When applying via Public services There is a 30% discount on state fees (245 rubles instead of 350). Algorithm of actions:

  1. Log in to the portal.
  2. Select the service “Vehicle registration” → “Deregistration to save license plates”.
  3. Fill in the car details and upload scanned documents.
  4. Pay the fee and make an appointment at the traffic police.

☑️ Documents for saving numbers

Done: 0 / 5

Step 3. Deregistration of numbers

On the appointed day, visit the traffic police. Employee:

  • Checks documents and vehicle data.
  • Deregisters numbers and issues them certificate of preservation of registration plates (form No. 5).
  • Makes changes to the database - now the numbers are tied to you, and not to the car.

The certificate states:

  • Character numbers (for example, A 123 BC 77).
  • Date of deregistration.
  • Validity period (indefinitely, but with a note about cancellation after 10 years).

Step 4. Storing numbers

After deregistration, the numbers remain with you. They can be:

  • 🔄 Install on a new car for 10 years.
  • 📦 Keep them at home - the law does not oblige you to hand them over to the traffic police.
  • 🚗 Sell together with the car (but only if you install them on your new vehicle).
⚠️ Attention: If you lose your saved numbers, it will be impossible to restore them - you will have to get new ones. Keep them in a safe place (for example, in a safe) and do not pass them on to third parties.

3. How much does it cost to keep the numbers: state fees and additional expenses

Main costs when maintaining numbers:

Service Cost (RUB) Notes
Saving registration plates 350 State duty on Art. 333.33 Tax Code of the Russian Federation. Via Public services — 245 rub.
Deregistration of a vehicle 0 Free if you do not need to issue a new STS.
Installing license plates on a new car 800–2 000 The cost of making duplicates (if the originals are lost).
Notarial consent of the spouse 1 000–2 000 If the car is jointly owned.
Examination of numbers (in case of damage) 1 500–3 000 If there is any doubt about authenticity or integrity.

Additional costs may arise if:

  • 🔧 Numbers required restoration (for example, painting) - from 500 rubles per sign.
  • 📑 It is necessary to restore lost documents (PTS, STS) - up to 1,300 rubles.
  • 🚛 The car is located in another region - you will have to pay for a tow truck or transportation (from 3,000 rubles).

Average total cost of the procedure: from 350 to 5,000 rubles, depending on the situation.

💡

If you are selling a car with retained license plates, indicate this in the purchase and sale agreement under the clause “Registration plates” [number] remain with the seller." This will help avoid disputes with the buyer.

4. How to transfer saved license plates to a new car

If you bought a new car and want to install old license plates on it, follow this algorithm:

  1. Check the validity period of your saved numbers - they must be valid (less than 10 years have passed since deregistration).
  2. Prepare documents for a new vehicle:
    • Passport.
    • PTS of a new car.
    • Certificate of preservation of numbers (form No. 5).
    • MTPL policy (can be issued online in 5 minutes).
  • Pay state fees:
    • 2,000 rub. - for vehicle registration.
    • 500 rub. — for issuing a new STS (if required).

      • On Public services 30% discount applies.

    • Submit an application to the traffic police through Public services or in person. Select the service “Vehicle registration with installation of saved numbers”.
    • Get new documents — your old numbers will be indicated in the PTS and STS.

    Registration deadline: 1 day (if the documents are in order). If the numbers were lost, you will have to order duplicates - this will take up to 30 days.

    ⚠️ Attention: If a new car was purchased on credit, the bank may prohibit the installation of saved numbers on it. Specify this in advance in the loan agreement.
    What to do if the traffic police refuses to install license plates?

    If a traffic police officer refuses to register saved numbers, request a written refusal with justification. Common reasons:

    - The numbers are on the wanted list (check through the service GIBDD.RF).

    - The 10-year shelf life has expired.

    - The documents for the new vehicle were completed with errors.

    With a refusal, you can appeal the decision through the court or a higher department of the traffic police.

    Companies and individual entrepreneurs can also save numbers, but with nuances:

    • 📋 Additional documents:
      • Extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities/Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs (not older than 30 days).
      • Power of attorney for a representative (if the person acting is not the manager).
      • Seal of the organization (if any).
    • 💼 Limitations:
      • Numbers can only be saved for a legal entity, and not for an individual (for example, a director).
      • When a company is liquidated, the numbers are canceled automatically.
    • 💰 Cost - the same as for individuals (350 rubles), but you may need to pay for notary services (up to 2,000 rubles).

    For individual entrepreneurs, the same rules apply as for individuals, but when selling a car used in commercial activities, you may be required to:

    • 📊 Certificate of decommissioning of the vehicle (if the car is listed on the balance sheet).
    • 📑 Certificate from the tax office confirming the absence of transport tax debts.

    Legal entities are recommended to check in advance the possibility of saving numbers with the local traffic police department - some regions introduce additional requirements (for example, providing the charter of the organization).

    6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

    Incorrect actions when saving numbers can lead to their loss or fines. Let's look at the most common ones:

    • ❌ Untimely deregistration — if you sell your car but do not deregister it within 10 days, the license plates may be automatically cancelled.
    • ❌ Transferring numbers to another person — even if you sell a car to a relative, the license plates remain yours. They cannot be “gifted” or sold.
    • ❌ Using damaged numbers — if the signs are bent or the paint is peeling, they will not be accepted by the traffic police. Check compliance GOST R 50577-93.
    • ❌ Non-payment of transport tax — if there are debts for an old car, the traffic police may block the procedure.

    How to avoid problems:

    • 📅 Deregister your car immediately after sale - don't wait 10 days.
    • 🔍 Check the numbers at traffic police website according to the search database (check here).
    • 📋 Keep a certificate of saving numbers - without it you will not be able to restore them.
    • 💳 Pay duties via Public services - it's cheaper and more reliable.
    💡

    If you are selling a car with license plates, be sure to enter into a written sales agreement. Oral agreements have no legal force, and the buyer can challenge the transaction.

    7. Alternative methods: when saving numbers is not possible

    If for some reason you cannot keep your old numbers, consider alternatives:

    • 🔄 Getting duplicates - if the numbers are lost, but are registered with you, you can order copies of them (cost - 2,000 rubles).
    • 🎨 Production of “similar” numbers - some companies offer signs with a similar design, but with different letters/numbers (legally, if it does not violate Art. 12.2 Code of Administrative Offenses).
    • 💎 Buying “beautiful” rooms — at traffic police auctions (for example, AAA 777) or through resellers (price - from 10,000 to 1,000,000 rubles).
    • 📜 Registration of transit numbers — if you need to drive temporarily without permanent signs (valid for up to 20 days).

    Important: purchasing numbers from third parties illegal - According to the law, registration plates are issued only by the traffic police. For the use of other people's numbers there is a fine 5,000 rub. or deprivation of rights for 1–3 months (Art. 12.2 Code of Administrative Offenses).

    If you want to get a “beautiful” number, you can officially do this:

    1. Participate in the traffic police auction (for example, on the website Public services).
    2. Apply for a number via special programs (for example, for veterans or disabled people).
    3. Buy a car with already installed “nice” license plates (but they cannot be saved when selling).

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about saving license plates

    Is it possible to keep the plates if the car is on credit?

    Yes, but only with the written consent of the bank. Without the lender's permission, the traffic police will refuse the procedure. Banks usually give consent if:

    • The loan is almost repaid (the balance is less than 20%).
    • You provide a new vehicle as collateral (if you transfer the license plates to another car).

    The cost of bank consent is from 1,000 to 5,000 rubles.

    How long are saved numbers valid?

    From 2023, saved numbers are valid 10 years from the moment of deregistration. After this period, they are canceled automatically and cannot be restored. The period is not extended - if you did not have time to install license plates on a new car, you will have to get new ones.

    Is it possible to keep the license plates if the car is scrapped?

    Yes, this is one of the legitimate cases. When deregistering a vehicle for disposal, you can:

    • Keep the numbers for yourself (indefinitely, but with a 10-year limit).
    • Hand them over to the traffic police (if you do not plan to use them).

    To do this, in the recycling application, indicate the item “Save registration plates.”

    What to do if your saved numbers are stolen?

    If the numbers have been stolen, you must:

    1. Write a statement to the police about theft.
    2. Receive a certificate of initiation of a case (or refusal).
    3. Contact the traffic police with an application to restore the license plates (if they are registered with you).

    Important: if the numbers were stolen before you deregistered them, they cannot be restored - you will have to get new ones.

    Is it possible to keep the license plates if the car is sold under a general power of attorney?

    No. When selling under a general power of attorney, ownership does not pass to the new owner, so the numbers cannot be retained. In this case:

    • The numbers remain with the old owner (you).
    • The new owner must register the car in his name within 10 days, otherwise you will face a fine for late re-registration (RUB 1,500–2,000).

    We recommend avoiding transactions under a general power of attorney - it is better to draw up a standard purchase and sale agreement.