Selecting a state registration plate (GRZ) through Public services - it is not only convenient, but also profitable. Since 2021, the service allows you to book the room you like before buying a car or when re-registering, avoiding queues at the MREO. However, many car owners are faced with questions: how to check the availability of the combination, how much does the service cost, and is it possible to get the money back if you change your mind? In this article we will analyze all the nuances of choosing a number through State Services in 2026, including hidden restrictions and life hacks to get the desired combination.

The process seems simple, but in practice there are pitfalls. For example, not everyone knows that series of numbers are tied to regions, and some combinations are blocked for mass booking. In addition, from January 1, 2026, the rules for refunds for unused numbers have changed - now the cancellation fee is 30% instead of the previous 10%. We will analyze each stage in detail: from authorization on the portal to receiving ready-made signs from the traffic police.

To avoid wasting time, prepare in advance:

  • 📱 Verified account on State Services (level not lower than “Standard”)
  • 💳 Bank card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, MIR - no commission)
  • 📄 PTS or STS data (if the number is booked for an existing car)
📊 Why do you choose a number through State Services?
To save time
I want a beautiful combination
I will re-register the car
Another option

1. Preparation: what you need to know before choosing a room

Before you book, make sure your region supports this service. To date selection of State Repair Plant through State Services available in all constituent entities of the Russian Federation, except Crimea and Sevastopol - separate rules apply there. Also For re-registration The same period applies from the date of payment.

Before choosing, check whether the desired combination falls under prohibited combinations. For example, you cannot use:

  • 🚫 Numbers with letter Yo (replaced by E)
  • 🚫 Combinations that imitate service marks (for example, A 001 AA - reserved for special vehicles)
  • 🚫 Numbers 000 in the middle (only allowed at the beginning or end)
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Use the service number history checks on the traffic police website to make sure that the combination is not listed as stolen or wanted.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to book a room

The booking process takes no more than 15 minutes. Follow the algorithm:

  1. Log in on Public services and go to the section Transport and driving → Vehicle registration → Selecting a registration plate.
  2. Select vehicle type:
    • 🚗 Passenger car
    • 🏍 Motorcycle/moped
    • 🚛 Truck or trailer
  • Specify your registration region (the number series will be linked to it). For example, for Moscow it is 77, for St. Petersburg - 78.
  • Enter the desired combination in the format A 123 BV 777 (to check availability). The system will show whether the number is available.
  • Pay for your reservation by credit card. Save the receipt! — it will be needed at the MREO.

    • ☑️ What to check before paying

    Done: 0 / 4

    After payment you will receive a notification by email and in your personal State Services account. It will indicate unique reservation number (useful for MREO) and validity period. If you do not have time to register the car within the specified period, the reservation will be expired and the money do not return.

    What should I do if I paid but changed my mind?

    If you cancel your number within 3 days, you can return 70% of the amount through your personal account. After this period, only 50% is refundable (minus a commission of RUB 300).

    3. How to check the availability of a combination: secrets and life hacks

    The State Services system shows only current availability numbers, but does not display combinations booked by other users. To increase your chances of success:

    • 🕒 Check the numbers early in the morning (from 6:00 to 8:00 Moscow time) - there are fewer competitors at this time.
    • 🔄 Use combination generator (for example, on the website nomera.ru) to select options.
    • 📅 Follow expiring reservations: If the number has not been used within 30 days, it is returned to the general pool.

    There are also “gray” schemes, but we do not recommend them. For example, some car owners negotiate with repurchasing numbers, who book combinations en masse and resell them at 2-3 times more expensive. This violates Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 938 and may result in the number being cancelled.

    💡

    Numbers with repeated characters (for example, A 777 AA) book up the fastest. If you want one, act quickly or use paid monitoring services.

    4. Payment and possible problems

    The cost of the reservation is debited immediately after confirmation. However, users often encounter errors:

    • 💳 Bank refusal: some cards (especially virtual ones) block payments on State Services. Use a card with 3D-Secure.
    • ⏳ Payment stuck: if the money has been debited, but the reservation has not been made, contact State Services support via chat (section Help).
    • 🔒 Limit on number of reservations: You can book a maximum of 3 rooms per month from one account.
    ⚠️ Attention: If you paid for a number but did not receive a notification by email, check your Spam folder and section My orders in your personal account. If you don't have a reservation within 24 hours, ask for a refund!

    Available for payment:

    • 💰 Bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, MIR)
    • 🏦 Sberbank Online (via linked account)
    • 📱 Mobile payments (Yandex Money, Qiwi - with a commission of 1–2%)

    The average payment processing time is 5–10 minutes. If the order status hangs in the state "Under Process" longer than an hour, contact support by phone 8 800 100-70-10 (the call is free).

    5. Obtaining numbers from the traffic police: documents and deadlines

    After booking you have 10 days to register the car. For this you will need:

    • 📄 Owner's passport
    • 📄 PTS or STS (if the car is already registered)
    • 📄 Booking payment receipt (electronic or printed)
    • 📄 MTPL policy (required for registration)

    The procedure at MREO will take about 1–2 hours. The traffic police officer will check the reservation details with the documents and issue new numbers. If you change old signs, they will have to be returned - otherwise a new number will not be issued.

    ⚠️ Attention: If you have booked a room for new car, but the car has not yet been purchased, the MREO will require a purchase and sale agreement or a certificate-invoice from the car dealership. Registration will not be carried out without them!

    Production time for numbers:

    • 🔧 Standard — 1 day
    • 💎 Commercial — up to 3 days (due to additional checks)
    💡

    Before visiting the traffic police, check online queue on the official website. You can sign up for some branches in advance through State Services (section Make an appointment).

    6. Is it possible to return or change the number?

    By law, refund possible, but with significant limitations:

    • 🔙 During 3 days After payment, 70% of the amount is returned (minus a commission of 300₽).
    • 🔙 After 3 days - only 50% (commission 500₽).
    • 🚫 If the reservation period has expired, money do not return.

    To initialize a return:

    1. Go to section My orders on State Services.
    2. Find your reservation and click "Cancel".
    3. Please indicate the reason (for example, "Changed my mind" or "I made a mistake with the combination").
    4. Wait for the application to be processed (up to 10 business days).

    Exchange number for another it's impossible — you will have to cancel your current reservation and book a new one. Exception: if the combination is found technical error (for example, a typo in a series), you can contact State Services support with evidence.

    7. Alternative ways to get a beautiful number

    If there is no suitable combination on State Services, consider other options:

    • 🏢 Direct appeal to MREO: Sometimes branches have "hidden" numbers that don't show up online. Check by phone.
    • 🛒 Purchasing from resellers: Risky, but some offer unique combinations (eg. A 007 AA 77). Price - from 20,000₽.
    • 🎁 Traffic police auctions: once a quarter, auctions are held for premium rooms (starting price - 5,000 RUR). Follow the announcements on traffic police website.

    Comparison of methods:

    MethodCostDeadlineRisks
    Public servicesfrom 0₽1–3 daysLimited selection
    MREO (offline)0–2 000₽1 dayYou have to stand in line
    Resellersfrom 20,000₽1–7 daysCould be a scam
    Traffic police auctionfrom 5,000₽1–2 monthsCompetition, high price
    💡

    The most reliable way is booking through State Services. Even if the combination is not ideal, it is always possible transfer to another car when selling/purchasing (without losing the number).

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about choosing rooms

    Is it possible to book a room without a car?

    Yes, but only if you have valid driver's license. The reservation is valid for 90 days - during this time you need to buy a car and register it.

    What should I do if I paid for a room, but it turned out to be busy?

    Contact State Services support with a receipt and a screenshot of the error. By law, you must be refunded or offered an alternative combination.

    Is it possible to choose a number with the letter "O" instead of "0"?

    No, the system automatically replaces the letter Oh to digital 0 (and vice versa). This rule has been in effect since 2018.

    How long is the reservation valid?

    The period depends on the type of room:

    • Standard – 30 days
    • Commercial – 90 days
    • Premium – 180 days
    Is it possible to transfer a reserved room to another person?

    No, the booking is linked to State Services account and passport details. You cannot reassign a number to another person.