A beautiful license plate is not just a set of numbers and letters, but a status accessory that emphasizes the individuality of the owner. In 2026, the demand for “beautiful” combinations is still high, but the rules for obtaining them are strictly regulated by law. Many car owners mistakenly believe that the only way to get the desired number is to purchase through third parties at an inflated price. In fact, there are legal methods that allow you to get an exclusive combination without breaking the law.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to get beautiful license plates: from participating in government auctions to re-registering a car while keeping the old license plate. You will find out which combinations are considered “beautiful” from the point of view of the traffic police, how their value is estimated on the secondary market, and what pitfalls unwary buyers can expect. We will pay special attention to changes in legislation in 2026 that affect the procedure for issuing license plates.

What is considered a “beautiful” number in the traffic police?

The concept of a “beautiful number” is not enshrined in regulations, but in practice it means combinations that are easy to remember, have a symbolic meaning, or simply look aesthetically pleasing. The traffic police distinguishes several categories of such numbers:

  • 🔢 Repeating numbers or letters: for example, A777AA 77, M111MM 11 or O555OO 55. The more repetitions, the higher the cost.
  • 🎲 Mirror combinations: A123AA 21, M456MM 65 - when the first and second parts of the number are symmetrical.
  • 💎 Gold or silver series: numbers with letters AAA, MMM, LLC or XXX (for example, A001AA 77).
  • 📅 Dates and significant numbers: A0705AA 77 (May 7), M2026MM 99 (year of manufacture of the car).
  • 🤑 Numbers with a minimum number of characters: for example, A1AA 77 (only 4 characters instead of the standard 6-8).

The cost of such numbers on the secondary market can reach several million rubles, especially if the combination is unique or has historical value. For example, number A001AA 77 in 2023 it was sold for 12.5 million rubles - this is a record amount for the Russian market. However, not all “beautiful” rooms are so expensive: prices start from 50–100 thousand rubles for simple repeating combinations.

⚠️ Attention: The traffic police does not issue license plates with combinations that could be interpreted as offensive, extremist or violating public morals. For example, numbers with letters are prohibited SS (association with Nazi symbols) or numbers 666 (in some regions).

Method 1: Participation in the traffic police auction

The most legal and transparent way to get a beautiful number is to participate in license plate auction, which is carried out by the traffic police. Such auctions are organized regularly, and information about them is published on the official website traffic police and portal State services.

The procedure looks like this:

  1. The traffic police creates a lot from license plates that were scrapped or became vacant after the cars were re-registered.
  2. Lots are put up for auction indicating the starting price (usually from 10,000 to 50,000 rubles).
  3. Participants submit applications and place bids electronically. The winner is the one who offered the maximum amount.
  4. After payment, the number is transferred to the new owner within 5 working days.

Advantages of this method:

  • ✅ Complete legality - the number is issued officially, without the risk of cancellation.
  • ✅ Possibility to choose from several lots.
  • ✅ Starting prices are lower than on the secondary market.

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ Competition - popular numbers go for amounts of 2–3 times higher than the starting price.
  • ❌ Limited selection - not all regions hold auctions regularly.

Register on the State Services portal|Submit an application to participate in the auction|Make a deposit (usually 5–10% of the starting price)|Monitor the progress of the auction and place bids|Pay the won item within 3 days

-->

In 2026, the traffic police plans to increase the number of auctions to monthly in large regions (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar Territory). This is due to the growing demand for beautiful rooms and the need to combat the “gray” market.

Method 2: Buying a number from the previous owner

If the auction is not suitable, you can buy a beautiful license plate from another car owner. This method is more risky, but allows you to get rare combinations that do not end up at auction. The procedure looks like this:

  1. Find a seller through specialized platforms (for example, Avito, Drome or thematic forums).
  2. Check the number on legal purity through the traffic police service "Car check".
  3. You enter into a contract for the purchase and sale of the number (necessarily indicating the details of the seller and buyer).
  4. Contact the traffic police to re-register the license plate in your name.

Cost of rooms on the secondary market:

Room type Combination example Average price (2026)
Simple Repetitions A333AA 77 50 000 – 200 000 ₽
Mirror numbers M123MM 32 200 000 – 500 000 ₽
Gold series (AAA, MMM) A001AA 99 1 000 000 – 3 000 000 ₽
Unique dates A0101AA 77 (January 1) 300 000 – 1 000 000 ₽
Short numbers (4 characters) A1AA 77 from 5,000,000 ₽
⚠️ Attention: When purchasing a number from third parties, there is a risk of running into scammers. Check:
  • 📄 Authenticity of PTS and STS of the seller.
  • 🔍 There are restrictions on the number (arrest, hijacking, debt).
  • 💳 Payment method - it is better to use a safe deposit box or letter of credit.

Since 2023, the traffic police has tightened control over transactions with license plates. Now, when re-registering, you must present documents confirming the legality of the acquisition (sale and purchase agreement, payment receipt). Without this, the number may be cancelled.

Participate in the traffic police auction|Buy from the previous owner|Get through re-registration|Wait for the new license plate to be issued|Another way

-->

Method 3: Re-registering a car while keeping the number

If you already have a car with a nice license plate, you can keep it when purchasing a new vehicle. To do this you need:

  1. Selling an old car, but do not deregister him (the number will remain with you for 180 days).
  2. Buy a new car and within 6 months Contact the traffic police to re-register the license plate.
  3. Provide documents:
    • 📋 Passport.
    • 📄 STS and PTS of a new car.
    • 🔑 A document confirming the right to a number (extract from the traffic police register).

This method allows you to legally transfer a license plate from one car to another without participating in an auction. However, there are nuances:

  • ⏳ Number storage period — 180 days. If you don’t meet the deadline, you’ll have to turn it in to the traffic police.
  • 🚗 The number can only be transferred to the car same owner (cannot be passed on to a relative or friend).
  • 💰 A state fee is charged for the procedure - 2,000 rubles (for 2026).

This method is often used by collectors of rare numbers. For example, if you have a number M777MM 77, you can transfer it to a new car without losing the combination.

What happens if you don’t meet the 180 days?

If you do not have time to re-register a license plate for a new car within 6 months, it will be canceled and will go to the general fund of the traffic police. It will be impossible to return it back - only through an auction or purchase from a new owner.

Method 4: Obtaining a new number when registering a car

When registering a car, the traffic police automatically assigns a number from a free fund. The probability of getting a beautiful combination by chance is extremely small, but there is legal ways to increase your chances:

  • 📅 Registration at the beginning of the month. In the first days after the number stock is replenished (usually 1–5 numbers) the probability of getting a rare combination is higher.
  • 🏢 Contacting low-load traffic police departments. In small towns or rural areas, the stock of rooms is updated less frequently, and there you can “catch” an interesting series.
  • 🔄 Multiple re-registration. Some car owners remove and register their car several times in a row until they get the desired number. However, starting from 2026, the traffic police introduced the following restrictions: no more than 3 re-registrations per year.

This method does not guarantee results, but does not require financial investment. The main thing is patience and luck. For example, in 2023, a resident of Kazan, upon registration Kia Rio I accidentally got the number T007TT 16, which he later sold for 800,000 rubles.

⚠️ Attention: If you deliberately deregister a car in order to get a new license plate, the traffic police may regard this as abuse. If you re-register frequently (more than 3 times a year), you may be asked for an explanation or refused to issue a new number.

Method 5: Exchange numbers with another car owner

If you have a friend who agrees to exchange his number for yours, you can arrange this procedure through the traffic police. To do this:

  1. Both owners contact the traffic police with an application to exchange license plates.
  2. They provide documents for cars and license plates.
  3. Pay state duty - 1,500 rubles per participant.
  4. They receive new STS with exchanged numbers.

This method is convenient if:

  • 🔄 You have a number that is interesting to another owner (for example, A123AA 77 on M456MM 99).
  • 🤝 You trust the second party to the transaction (the risk of fraud is minimal, since the exchange takes place under the control of the traffic police).
  • 💰 Don't want to spend money on an auction or purchase.

However there are limitations:

  • ❌ The numbers must be registered in one region.
  • ❌ Cars must be owned individuals (legal entities cannot participate in the exchange).
  • ❌ Numbers should not have restrictions (arrest, theft, debt).

This method is rarely used due to the difficulty of finding a suitable exchange partner, but it is completely legal and does not require additional costs other than state fees.

How to avoid fraud when buying a beautiful number?

The market for beautiful numbers attracts not only collectors, but also scammers. To avoid losing money, follow these rules:

  • 🔍 Check the number through official services:
  • 📝 Conclude a purchase and sale agreement indicating:
    • Passport data of the seller and buyer.
    • Contract numbers and conclusion dates.
    • Transaction amounts (preferably written in numbers and words).
  • 💰 Use secure payment methods:
    • Bank safe deposit box (money is transferred only after the number is reissued).
    • Letter of credit (guarantee of refund if the transaction fails).
  • 🚨 Don't settle for "gray" schemes:
    • Re-registration of the number to a figurehead.
    • Purchasing a number without documents (“by proxy”).
    • Using fake certificates from the traffic police.

If the seller refuses to provide original documents or insists on 100% advance payment, this is a reason to refuse the transaction. In 2026, cases of fraud with beautiful numbers became more frequent when sellers:

  • 🕵️‍♂️ We sold the same number to several buyers.
  • 📉 They inflated the price, referring to the “uniqueness” of the combination (for example, they asked 500,000 rubles per room A222AA 77, which at auction would go for 80,000 rubles).
  • 🔄 They changed the numbers after payment (they transferred another, less valuable one).

-->

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about beautiful rooms

Is it possible to get a beautiful number for free?

Theoretically, yes, if you are lucky when registering a new car. However, the probability of this is extremely low (less than 0.1%). Most of the beautiful rooms are distributed through auctions or sold on the secondary market.

How much does the most expensive room in Russia cost?

Record amount for a room in Russia - 12.5 million rubles for A001AA 77 (sales in 2023). On average, prices for top combinations (for example, AAA 777) range from 3 to 10 million rubles.

Is it possible to pass on a beautiful number by inheritance?

Yes, but only if the heir is a close relative (spouse, parents, children). To do this, you need to provide the traffic police with a certificate of inheritance rights and documents for the car. The number will be re-issued to the new owner without changing the combination.

What happens if you buy a number that is later found to be illegal?

If the number was obtained fraudulently (for example, through forged documents), the traffic police will cancel it, and you will have to get a new one. Money paid to the seller cannot be returned. In some cases, the buyer may be held administratively liable for complicity in fraud.

Is it possible to order a personal number with any letters and numbers?

No, the traffic police does not accept individual orders for license plates. All combinations are formed automatically from the free fund. The exception is auctions where you can choose from the lots offered.

-->