Selling a car is always stressful, associated with paperwork and legal subtleties, but for many owners the key issue is the fate of the usual state registration plate. If the numbers and letters on the plate have sentimental meaning to you or are simply pleasing to the eye, you have every legal right to keep them. Modern legislation allows you to reserve license plate number for up to one year, which gives ample time to install it on a new car purchased to replace the one sold.
The procedure for preserving license plates became much simpler after the 2019 reform, when the traffic police officially allowed storing “your” license plates on the department’s balance sheet. You don’t need to invent complex schemes with relatives or wait for the registration of a new car on the day of selling the old one. The main thing is to clearly understand the algorithm of actions and fill out correctly statement and pay the state fee for issuing new plates for the car being sold.
In this article we will analyze in detail all stages of the procedure, from submitting an application to the traffic police to receiving a plastic card with a reserved code. You will learn what documents are required, how much it costs and what nuances there are that are often forgotten. Following the rules will help you avoid unnecessary trips to the registration office and save your favorite symbols for your next vehicle.
Legislative framework and storage periods for numbers
The main regulatory act regulating the registration of vehicles in the Russian Federation is the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1764. It was this document that secured the owner’s right to retain the state registration plate when making purchase and sale transactions. Previously, this possibility existed only in the form of temporary measures or required complex legal manipulations, but now it is a standard administrative service.
The period for which you can legally preserve your number is 360 days. This period begins to count from the day the application is submitted to the traffic police to retain the registration plate. It is important to understand that it is impossible to extend this period: if within a year you do not purchase a new car and do not install a saved number on it, it will be canceled and will go back on general sale.
⚠️ Attention: The period of 360 days is a maximum and cannot be extended. If you do not have time to buy a new car or motorcycle during this period, the number will burn out and cannot be restored.
The legislation also clearly regulates the types of vehicles to which the saved sign can be transferred. You can install it on a new or used car, motorcycle, or even a trailer, as long as the vehicle is yours and meets the specifications for the specific plate format. You cannot transfer a passenger license plate to a truck or a motorcycle license plate to a car.
There is an important limitation that you should be aware of in advance. The saved number cannot be transferred to another person, even a close relative. It is assigned exclusively to the owner who submitted the application. If you plan to give a car with a “nice” license plate to a child or spouse, you will first have to register the car in your name, and then carry out the donation procedure, which will entail additional tax and registration costs.
Is it possible to save the number if it is damaged?
If your license plate has scuffs, scratches or damage that prevents the characters from being read, or if it does not comply with GOST (for example, a non-standard font or size), the traffic police will refuse to preserve it. In this case, you will have to make a duplicate in a specialized organization before contacting the traffic police.
Step-by-step instructions: how to submit an application to the traffic police
The procedure for maintaining a number begins with a visit to the registration department of the traffic police. You don't have to wait until your car sells; You can submit an application at any time while the car is registered in your name. However, most owners combine this procedure with the moment of direct sale in order to minimize the number of visits to the department.
The first step is to collect the necessary package of documents. You will need a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, a vehicle passport (PTS), a vehicle registration certificate (VRC) and the license plates themselves (if they are already on hand, although more often the car arrives on them). It is also necessary to fill out an application to retain the state registration plate. The form can be obtained at the branch or downloaded in advance on the official website.
☑️ Documents for saving your number
After submitting documents and paying fees, the inspector will inspect the vehicle. This is a mandatory procedure necessary to verify VIN numbers and check the technical serviceability of the car. If everything goes well, you will be given new license plates for installation on the car being sold, a new STS with new data and an accounting card where the preserved number will be indicated.
The key document you will receive is account card (or extract from the register). It is this that confirms your right to use the reserved number for a year. Keep this document in a safe place, preferably make a copy or photo of it, since without it it will be impossible to assign a number to a new car. The process usually takes from one to several hours, depending on the workload of the department.
Come to the traffic police office early in the morning on a weekday to undergo inspection and complete documents before lunch. This will save you several hours of waiting in lines.
Financial expenses: cost of state fees and services
Saving your number is a paid service, and you need to be prepared for the financial costs. The cost consists of several components, each of which is regulated by the Tax Code of the Russian Federation. The main costs are for issuing new license plates for the car being sold and making changes to the registration documents.
First of all, you will have to pay for the production of new metal signs. Today the cost of this service is 2,000 rubles for a set of two signs for a car. If you are selling a motorcycle or trailer where only one plate is required, the amount will be less - 1,500 rubles. This money goes directly into the budget for the production of a plastic base with a metallized coating.
In addition, it is necessary to pay for the issuance of a new vehicle registration certificate (VRC), since the license plate on it will change. The cost of STS is 500 rubles (or 1,500 rubles for a new generation document with a chip, if such an option is available in your region). You may also need to pay for making changes to the PTS, if it is paper - 350 rubles. The electronic PTS does not require any changes.
| Type of service | Cost (RUB) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance of license plates (car) | 2000 | In a couple of signs |
| Issuance of license plates (motorcycle/trailer) | 1500 | For one sign |
| Issuance of STS | 500 - 1500 | Depends on document type |
| Making changes to the PTS | 350 | Only for paper PTS |
| Total (approx.) | 2850 - 3850 | Excluding intermediary services |
The total amount of expenses varies between 3000–4000 rubles. It is important to note that the procedure itself for “reserving” a number for a year is free; you only pay for the accompanying actions (new hardware and documents). Payment can be made through terminals in the traffic police building, through a banking application or the State Services portal, if such a function is available for this service in your region.
The total cost of the license plate retention procedure is about 3000-4000 rubles, the main part of the amount is the payment for new metal plates for the car being sold.
Selling a car with saved license plates
Once you have received new license plates and documents, the car is ready for sale. Legally, the car is now registered with you with new registration data. When compiling sales agreement (DKP) you enter exactly those numbers that are currently installed on the car (new ones received from the traffic police), and not those that were reserved.
The buyer receives a car with new license plates, a new STS and a title with a mark about the new owner. For him, the procedure is simplified: he does not need to wait for you to remove “your” numbers, since they have already been replaced. You, having received the money and signed the acceptance certificate, become the owner of the “bare” right to use the reserved alphanumeric code, which is recorded in the traffic police database.
There is a common misconception that the car must be driven with new license plates right away. This is wrong. You can sell your car, and the reserved number will be waiting for you in the database. The main thing is not to lose documents confirming your right to this number. In the future, when purchasing a new car, you simply declare your desire to use the saved registration plate.
If you're selling your car through a consignment store or dealership, the process remains the same. Managers will help you fill out the DCT, but you will most likely have to replace plates and submit an application for preservation yourself before transferring the car to the site, or be present in person.
Installing a saved number on a new car
Once you've purchased a new (or used) car, it's time to "activate" your stored license plate. This must be done during the same year mentioned above. The procedure takes place in the same registration department of the traffic police where you store the number, or in any other, if the database allows (but it is better to clarify this point, since the numbers are tied to a specific region and department).
To install a license plate on a new car, you will need to collect a package of documents again: a passport, PTS and STS of the new car, a valid MTPL policy (which should already have a new VIN code entered, but the number can be entered later or have data about the saved plate with you) and, most importantly, a registration card for the saved plate. It is also necessary to pay the state fee for issuing a new STS and making changes to the PTS.
The inspector will check the documents, make sure that the storage period for the number has not expired, and will issue you a new STS, where your old and new number will be indicated. Metal plates, while keeping the number, are usually not handed over to the traffic police (you only turn them in if they are damaged or you want to get new ones), so you simply transfer your old, but legally saved signs to the new car.
It is important to check whether the format of the saved number is suitable for the new car. For example, format number A 001 AA 77 (standard passenger) cannot be installed on a motorcycle that requires the format A 001 AA 77 (reduced) or 0001 AA 77 (square for retro/American cars). If the formats do not match, you will not be able to save the number and will have to scrap it.
⚠️ Attention: Before purchasing a new car, make sure that the format of your saved license plate matches the body type and year of manufacture of the new car. Failure to comply with GOST will result in refusal of registration.
Frequent errors and possible problems when saving
Despite its apparent simplicity, car enthusiasts often make mistakes that lead to the loss of a license plate or unnecessary financial expenses. One of the most common problems is missing the 360 day deadline. People buy a car at the last minute, but forget that the deadline starts from the day the application is submitted, and not from the day the old car is sold. As a result, the number expires a couple of days before the purchase of new equipment.
Another common mistake is trying to save a number that is on the black list or has restrictions. Problems also arise if the owner of the car and the owner of the license plate are different people. As mentioned earlier, the number is retained only by the owner of the vehicle. Trying to sell a car, keep the number in the name of the buyer, and then buy the car from him is an extra double payment of state duties and the risk of coming to the attention of the tax authorities.
Technical problems with numbers also happen. If your license plates are worn, have creases, or the paint has peeled off so that the symbols are difficult to read, the inspector has every right to refuse preservation and demand replacement of the signs. In this case, you will have to contact a private office that produces duplicates, spend time and money, and only then go to the traffic police.
Don't forget about the human factor. Errors in the application, typos in the last name or VIN code can lead to the fact that the number is not “linked” to the database correctly. Always double-check all the data in the issued documents without leaving the inspector’s window. Fixing a bug post-factum will take much longer.
What to do if the traffic police refuses to save?
If you receive a refusal, request a written justification with reference to the regulatory act. Most often, the reason lies in damaged signs, format inconsistencies, or prohibitions on registration actions. In case of illegal refusal, you can file a complaint with higher management or in court.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to save a number through the State Services portal?
At the moment, it is not possible to apply directly to retain your number completely online. Through State Services, you can only make an appointment with the traffic police or pay state fees at a discount (if applicable). The physical presence of the owner, inspection of the car and submission of documents are required.
What will happen to the number if I don’t buy a new car in a year?
If within 360 days you do not contact the traffic police to assign a saved number to a new vehicle, your right to it will expire. The number is returned to the general pool of available numbers and can be issued to any other citizen upon registration of his car.
Do I need to hand over my old license plates to the traffic police when saving them?
No, you do not need to hand them over if they are in good condition and comply with GOST. You receive new plates for selling your old car, and you keep your “old” plates in your hands until they are installed on a new car. You only need to submit it if you want to get new duplicates or if the old ones are damaged.
Is it possible to keep the number if the car is on loan or collateral?
Yes, having a loan or collateral on a car is not an obstacle to keeping your license plate. However, to carry out any registration actions (including changing plates before sale), the consent of the bank may be required if the PTS is in its possession. Please check this with your credit manager.
How many times can you save the same number?
The law does not limit the number of times you can save the number, but each time the procedure must be carried out anew: sale of a car -> application for preservation -> purchase of a new car -> assignment. It will not work to endlessly “twist” one number when selling and buying cars, since each time you need a new car for installation.