On November 1, 2020, Russia began issuing electronic vehicle passports (EPTS) instead of paper ones. By 2026, most transactions with used cars will take place with an electronic document. However, many car owners are still confused about the nuances of design purchase and sale agreement (SPA) in such cases.

The main problem is the lack of physical media: it is impossible to transfer PTS from hand to hand, as before. But this does not mean that the transaction becomes less secure. On the contrary, electronic PTS reduces the risk of fraud with fake documents. The main thing is to correctly draw up the DCP and check the relevance of the data in the traffic police register.

In this article, we will look at how to issue a written policy with EPTS step by step, what data must be specified, where to check the authenticity of the electronic document and how to avoid common mistakes. The instructions are relevant for individuals and legal entities, as well as for cases when the buyer or seller acts by proxy.

📊 Have you already encountered buying/selling a car with an electronic PTS?
Yes, everything went smoothly
Yes, there were difficulties
No, but I plan to
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How does an electronic PTS differ from a paper one: key features

Electronic PTS (EPTS) is a digital version of a traditional vehicle passport, which is stored in a unified traffic police database. Its main differences:

  • 📄 No physical media — data is available only in electronic form through the portal State services or the traffic police website.
  • 🔒 Anti-counterfeit protection — each EPTS has a unique electronic signature that cannot be forged.
  • 🔄 Automatic update — when the owner or technical characteristics of the car change, the data is entered into the register without the participation of the owner.
  • 📱 Ease of verification — a car’s history can be checked online in a few minutes.

It is important to understand that EPTS does not replace the purchase and sale agreement. The DCT still remains the main document confirming the transfer of ownership. Without it, the transaction is considered invalid, even if the data in the EPTS is updated.

One more nuance: when selling a car with an electronic title no need to go to the traffic police department to re-register. The buyer can register the car in any region of Russia without the participation of the seller. However, this does not eliminate the need to fill out the DCP correctly - errors in the document can lead to problems during registration.

What data must be indicated in the DCT with electronic PTS

The form of the purchase and sale agreement with EPTS is practically no different from the standard one, but there are several critical points. Sample PrEP must contain:

  1. Passport details of the parties — Full name, passport series/number, registration address (for individuals) or organization details (for legal entities).
  2. Vehicle details:
    • 🚗 Brand, model (for example Toyota Camry V50)
    • 🔢 Year of release
    • 🔠 VIN code (be sure to check it with the data in the EPTS!)
    • 🔄 Body/chassis number (if any)
    • 🔋 Engine type, volume, power
    • 🎨 Color (specify as in PTS: "metallic gray", and not just "gray")
  • Car cost - even if the transaction takes place by proxy or as a gift, the amount must be indicated (it can be symbolic - 1 ruble).
  • EPTS details — electronic document number (20 characters) and date of issue.
  • Signatures of the parties - Without them, the contract is invalid.

    • Critical error: if an incorrect VIN or EPTS number is indicated in the contract, the transaction may be declared invalid, and the new owner will not be able to register the car. Always check the data with the extract from the EPTS register!

    Check the VIN on the body and in the EPTS|Check the EPTS number on the traffic police portal|Make sure that there are no restrictions on registration|Check the history of the owners (at least 3 previous ones)

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    Step-by-step instructions: how to draw up a DCP with an electronic PTS

    The process of drawing up a contract can be divided into 5 stages. Follow them in strict order to avoid mistakes:

    1. Checking the electronic PTS

    Before drawing up the contract, the seller must provide the buyer with extract from the EPTS register. You can get it:

    • 📱 Via mobile application Public services (section "Transport and driving → Electronic PTS").
    • 💻On the website traffic police (tab "Services → Vehicle check").
    • 🏛 In any branch of the MFC or traffic police (free of charge, upon request).

    In the statement, check: EPTS status (must be "active"), No restrictions (arrest, bail, search), VIN match with data on the car body.

    2. Filling out the contract header

    At the top of the DCP, indicate: Date and place of compilation (city where the transaction takes place), Full name, passport details of the seller and buyer (for legal entities - name, INN, OGRN).

    Example of filling for an individual:

    The city of Moscow, the thirtieth of May two thousand twenty-four.

    We, Petr Sidorovich Ivanov, passport 1234 567890, issued by the Preobrazhenskoe Department of Internal Affairs of Moscow on March 15, 2015,
    

    and Sidorov Alexey Ivanovich, passport 9876 543210, issued by the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Central Administrative District of Moscow on November 10, 2018,
    

    have entered into this agreement as follows:

    3. Description of the subject of the contract (car)

    Here are indicated all technical specifications car from EPTS. Use precise wording, no abbreviations. Example:

    1. The Seller transfers ownership to the Buyer, and the Buyer accepts and pays for the car:

    Make, model: Toyota Camry (V50)
    

    Vehicle type: passenger car
    

    Vehicle category: B
    

    Year of release: 2018
    

    VIN: JTNKARJE70######
    

    Body number: ######
    

    Chassis number: ######
    

    Engine type: petrol
    

    Engine capacity: 2487 cm³
    

    Engine power: 150 kW (204 hp)
    

    Colour: metallic gray (code 1G3)
    

    EPTS number: 12345678901234567890
    

    EPTS issue date: 06.15.2021

    4. Terms of transfer and payment

    Please indicate: Car cost (in numbers and words), Calculation procedure (cash, transfer to account, letter of credit), Moment of vehicle transfer (usually after signing the contract and receiving the money).

    Example:

    2. The cost of the car is 1,200,000 (one million two hundred thousand) rubles 00 kopecks.

    3. Payment is made in cash at the time of signing the contract.
    

    4. The car is transferred to the Buyer after full payment and signing of this agreement.

    5. Signatures and handover of keys

    The contract is drawn up in three copies:

    - one remains with the seller,

    - one from the buyer,

    — one for the traffic police (at registration).

    After signing, the seller transfers to the buyer:

    ✅ Car keys,

    ✅ Certificate of registration (if any),

    ✅ Service book (if saved),

    ✅ Extract from the EPTS register (printed or electronic).

    💡

    If the transaction takes place with the participation of a trusted person, make sure that the power of attorney states the right to sell the car. Without this, the policy may be declared invalid.

    Sample DCP with electronic PTS (download and print)

    Below is a current contract template that can be adapted to suit your transaction. Please note: This sample is suitable for individuals. If one of the parties is a legal entity, additional details will be required (TIN, OGRN, bank details).

    PrEP section What to indicate Filling example
    Date and place City, date of compilation Moscow, May 30, 2026
    Parties to the transaction Full name, passport details Ivanov P.S., passport 1234 567890
    Subject of the agreement Make, VIN, EPTS number Toyota Camry, VIN: JTNKARJE70######, EPTS: 12345678901234567890
    Cost Price in numbers and words 1,200,000 (one million two hundred thousand) rubles
    Signatures Decryption and signature Ivanov P.S. ________ /signature/

    📥 Download a blank policy form in Word format: sample_dkp_epts.docx

    📥 Download the completed example: example_dkp_ toyota_camry.docx

    What to do if there is an error in the EPTS?

    If the VIN, color or other data is incorrectly indicated in the electronic PTS, the seller must contact the traffic police for correction. It is impossible to register a transaction without a correct EPTS. Please check your details in advance - corrections may take up to 30 days!

    Typical mistakes when applying for PrEP with EPTS and how to avoid them

    Even experienced car owners make mistakes when working with electronic documents. Here are the most common:

    ⚠️ Attention! If the EPTS number is not indicated in the DCP, the new owner will not be able to register the car. The traffic police requires that the data in the contract and the register must match.
    • ❌ Unreconciled data — The VIN in the DCT does not match the EPTS. Always double-check the numbers against the extract from the registry.
    • ❌ Lack of EPTS number - without it, the contract is considered incomplete.
    • ❌ Unspecified cost — even if the car is transferred free of charge, the amount (at least 1 ruble) must be entered.
    • ❌ Signatures without decryption — The full name must be written legibly next to the signature.
    • ❌ One copy of the agreement — at least two are needed: for the seller and the buyer (the third is for the traffic police).

    Another common problem is an attempt to sell a car by proxy without indicating this in the contract. If the seller acts through a representative, the contract should contain the following line:

    The seller acts on the basis of power of attorney No.____ dated "___"_________ 20__, issued by _______________.

    Otherwise, the deal may be challenged.

    ⚠️ Attention! If the car is pledged or under arrest, this information is displayed in the EPTS. The buyer has the right to demand the removal of encumbrances up to signing the contract. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to re-register the car.

    How to check the authenticity of an electronic PTS before a transaction

    Fraudsters have even learned to falsify extracts from the EPTS register. To avoid being scammed, follow this algorithm:

    1. Check the EPTS yourself

      Ask the seller EPTS number (20 digits) and check it on the official website of the traffic police: https://traffic police.rf/check/auto

    2. Check the VIN

      Make sure the VIN on your statement matches: number on the plate under the hood, data in STS (if any), marks on the windshield.

    3. Check owner history

      The extract from the EPTS must contain a complete history of the change of owners. If there are more previous owners than indicated in the contract, this is a reason to be wary.

    4. Make sure there are no encumbrances

      In the section "Restrictions" there should be no record of bail, arrest or search.

    🔍 Additional check: Order a car history report through services Autocode, CarVertical or Public services. The cost is from 300 rubles, but this will help you avoid buying a problem car.

    💡

    The only official source for checking EPTS is the traffic police portal or the State Services application. Third party sites may display outdated data.

    What to do after signing the contract: steps for the buyer and seller

    The deal does not end with the signing of the contract. Both parties have responsibilities that need to be fulfilled within 10 days.

    For the seller:

    • 📋 Save your copy of the PrEP (at least 3 years).
    • 💳 Remove the car from the register (if the buyer does not do so). This can be done online via Public services.
    • 📵 Remove the car from OSAGO/CASCO policies (if any).
    • 🔑 Transfer all keys and documents (STS, service book) to the new owner.

    For the buyer:

    • 📝 Register your car with the traffic police (possible in any region).
    • 💰 Issue a new OSAGO policy (they won’t register without it).
    • 🔍 Check your car for fines (via Public services or Yandex.Fines).
    • 🔧 If necessary, reissue the PTS (if changes need to be made).

    📌 Important: From 2026 you can register your car without visiting the traffic police — through the application Public services. For this you will need:

    • ✅ Signed DCP (photo or scan),
    • ✅ Passport of the new owner,
    • ✅ OSAGO policy,
    • ✅ Receipt for payment of state duty (350 rubles for STS).

    Frequently asked questions about PrEP with electronic PTS

    Is it possible to draw up a written policy manually if the electronic document is electronic?

    Yes, the law does not prohibit handwritten completion of a contract. The main thing is that all data is readable and signatures are decrypted. However, it is better to use a printed form: this way there is less risk of errors in the VIN or EPTS number.

    Is it necessary to indicate in the DCP that the PTS is electronic?

    Preferred, but not required. It is enough to enter the EPTS number (20 characters) and the date of issue. This will confirm that we are talking about an electronic document. Example wording: "Vehicle passport: electronic, No. 12345678901234567890 dated 06/15/2021".

    What to do if the seller did not provide an extract from the EPTS?

    Refuse the deal! Without an extract you will not be able to check: EPTS authenticity, absence of encumbrances, VIN match.

    Fraudsters often counterfeit paper “copies” of EPTS. It is your legal right to request an extract from the register.

    Is it possible to sell a car with an electronic title without a written policy?

    No, this is against the law. The DCT is the only document confirming the transfer of ownership. Without it, the new owner will not be able to register the car, and the seller will remain responsible for fines and taxes.

    How much does it cost to re-register a car with EPTS?

    The cost depends on whether the data in the PTS changes: No changes to PTS — 350 rub. (state duty for STS), With data change — 1,150 rub. (350 rubles for STS + 800 rubles for making changes to the EPTS).

    If the buyer changes the region of registration, there is no need to pay extra.