Selling a car is always stress associated with finding a buyer, drawing up contracts and transferring keys. In this cycle of action, many forget about an important detail - a state registration plate (GRP), which can be dear to you. It could be a “beautiful” room with repeating numbers, a memory of the first car, or just a good combination of characters that you don’t want to lose.
Fortunately, the legislation allows keep up Even after the sale of the vehicle. The procedure has become much easier with the introduction of new regulations, but it still requires care and compliance with deadlines. If you plan to keep the GRP, you need to prepare a package of documents in advance and clearly understand the algorithm of actions.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to correctly issue an application, how much it will cost to store signs in the traffic police and what to do if you do not have time to put them on a new car in the allotted time. We'll also touch on the subject. electronic PTS and the specifics of the transfer of property rights.
Legal basis for the storage of GHZ
Until recently, the procedure for leaving numbers was more complicated, but now it is regulated by the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The main change was the timeframe: previously the signs could be stored for 180 days, now this period is increased to 360 days. This gives the car owner almost a whole year to buy a new car or motorcycle to transfer the coveted registration plate to it.
It is important to understand that the license plate is the property of the state, but the right to use it is assigned to a particular person for a certain period. When selling a car, you do not “buy” the number from the state again, but only prolong the right to use it, changing the binding from the sold vehicle to a new one.
⚠️ Note: You cannot save a number if it is damaged, not readable or wanted (for example, was on a stolen car). Also, it will not be possible to leave signs that do not correspond to GOST in size or format.
It is worth noting that the procedure is free of charge in terms of state duty for the fact of storage. You only pay for issuing new document forms (CTC) and, if necessary, making duplicate marks, if you decide to pick them up immediately. However, most often the signs remain in responsible storage in the traffic police unit.
Preparation for the transaction: documents and actions
Before you go to the traffic police, you need to collect a full package of documents. An error in one of the points can lead to a refusal to accept an application or loss of time in queues. The main document is statement the preservation of registration plates, which is filed in any form or on a set model.
You will need originals and copies of the vehicle passport, registration certificate (CTC) and your passport. If the car is owned by a minor or it is pledged, additional permissions or consent of the pledgeholder will be required.
- 📄 Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation (owner).
- 🚗 Certificate of registration of the vehicle (original).
- 📝 PTS (electronic or paper).
- 💰 Receipt of payment of the state duty for the issuance of a new STS.
- 📝 Statement for the preservation of GHZ.
Don’t forget to check if the data in the documents match. Any typo in the name or VIN code will be a reason for refusal. It is also recommended to make photocopies of all passport pages and documents for the car in advance, so as not to look for a copycenter near the office.
Before going to the traffic police check the presence of fines. The presence of unpaid fines can block any registration actions before they are paid.
Step-by-step instruction: algorithm of actions
The process of saving numbers is logically divided into two stages: the delivery of old signs for storage and their receipt when registering a new machine. The first step is when you sell your current car.
Arriving at any convenient traffic police unit (binding to the place of residence is abolished), you come to the window of receiving documents. The inspector checks the car (conciliation of VIN numbers, condition of the body and units). It is a mandatory procedure to make sure that the numbers are not outweighed from another machine.
After successful reconciliation, you apply for the preservation of the GRP. The inspector removes the old license plates and gives you the act of reception and transfer. On your hands you get a new CTS (already without reference to the old numbers, as they are handed over) and new "iron" with a random code, if you plan to drive this car further, or just documents if the car is sold.
☑️ Checklist before the numbers are handed over
It's important to keep delivery. This is the only document that confirms your right to collect these specific numbers in the future. Without this piece of paper to get your marks back will be extremely difficult, you will have to prove the right of ownership through the court or long proceedings.
Storage periods and financial costs
As mentioned earlier, the maximum storage period of the traffic police is 360 days. This period begins from the moment of application and actual delivery of the marks to the inspector. During this time, you can apply at any time to install the saved GHZ on a new car.
The financial side of the issue consists of several state duties. The storage service itself is free, but the accompanying actions require payment. You will have to pay for the issuance of a new CTC on the sold car (as the numbers are removed from it) and for making changes to the PTS.
| Type of service | Cost (rupe) | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance of a new ITS | 500 | Be sure to change numbers |
| Amendments to the PCA | 350 | If the PTS is paper |
| Issuance of new GRZs (transits) | 2000 | If you need to drive before sale |
| Issuance of GFR upon registration | 2000 | When installing a new car |
If you do not have time to register the numbers within 360 days, they will be transferred to the reserve and issued to another applicant. It will not be possible to return them after the expiration of the term. Therefore, carefully monitor the dates in the act of reception and transfer.
The 360-day deadline is the deadline. It is better to plan to buy a new car in advance, so as not to risk losing the desired combination of numbers.
Installation of the saved number on the new car
When you have purchased a new car (or a used one), you can put your “old” number on it. To do this, you must again contact the traffic police with an application for the issuance of preserved registration plates. The procedure is carried out in the standard mode of registration of the vehicle.
You provide a contract for the sale of a new car, a PTS, your passport and, most importantly, a new car. plate-in safekeeping. The inspector finds your signs in the database, checks their availability in the warehouse and gives you for installation. After that, a new CTC is issued to the car with your saved numbers.
There is an important caveat: the category of the vehicle must be the same. You can’t change your motorcycle number to your car or vice versa. The region codes must also match: if you have kept the number with the code 77, and you register a new car in the region 150, you may be refused if you do not register in Moscow or provide a document confirming the right to register in this region.
⚠️ Note: When installing the saved number on a new car, you still have to pay the state duty for the issuance of GRZ (2000 rubles), even if you physically get your own old "iron". This is an administrative fee.
The process takes a standard time, usually 1 to 2 hours if there are no queues. New numbers (those that were on the new car) are withdrawn and disposed of or sent to reserve if they were not picked up by the previous owner.
Frequent mistakes and difficult situations
One of the most common mistakes is to try to sell a car with the saved numbers on paper, leaving the signs at home. It's illegal. The buyer must get a car with numbers that appear in the CTC at the time of the transaction. First you deposit the numbers, get new ones (random ones), and only then sell the car.
Another problem arises when the act of reception-transfer is lost. Without this document, it is almost impossible to prove that these signs are stored under your name. The traffic police database may not contain complete information about the appearance of the sign, only its digital code.
What to do if the 360-day period has expired?
If you miss the deadline, the numbers go to the general pool of available numbers. You can return them only in one way - accidentally stumble upon them when registering a new car, if they have not yet got another person. The odds are small, but they are.
It is also worth mentioning the situation with electronic PTS. The process of saving numbers does not change, but all marks will be entered in the electronic database. Make sure that the status of the EPP is “valid”, otherwise registration and preservation of numbers will be denied.
Some owners try to “cheat” the system by selling the car to a relative with license plates and then giving it back in hopes of keeping the number. This is a risky scheme that can lead to loss of ownership. The official procedure of preservation through the traffic police is safer and more transparent.
Conclusion
Saving car numbers when selling is a useful tool that allows owners of “beautiful” or simply favorite combinations to keep them. The main thing is to comply with the regulations, do not forget about the 360-day period and carefully store documents.
Properly executed documents and timely application ensure that in six months or a year your new car will show off the usual numbers. Don’t neglect this option if the numbers are important to you.
Can I save the number if the car is sold in another region?
Yes, you can. The region of registration of the seller and the buyer may differ. The main thing is that you, as a seller, keep the number in the traffic police of your region (or any convenient one), and then, when buying a new car, request its issuance. Linking the room to the region of residence of the owner is not mandatory for existing numbers, but new ones are issued by the region of residence.
Do I have to pay a tax for keeping the number?
No, there is no separate tax on the "possession" of the number during its storage in the traffic police. You only pay the vehicle tax as long as it is registered to you. After the sale of the car and its removal from the register (or change of numbers), the tax ceases to be charged.
What if I lost my number in the warehouse?
If the fault of traffic police numbers were lost or damaged during storage, you have the right to demand compensation or duplicates at the expense of the Agency. For this purpose, a claim is written to the head of the unit. In extreme cases, the matter is decided by the courts.
Can I save the number if the car is on credit?
Yes, you can, but only with the consent of the bank-payer. Since the PTS is often in the bank, you will need to obtain an extract or a certified copy, as well as written permission to change the registration data. Without it, the DHS will not accept the application.