The situation when state registration plate (GRZ) becomes unusable or disappears, this happens more often than it might seem at first glance. This could be mechanical damage as a result of an accident, natural wear and tear of the paintwork making the symbols unreadable, or simple theft, which has become popular among car thieves in recent years. In any case, operating a vehicle with damaged or missing license plates is strictly prohibited by law and entails serious fines, including the detention of the vehicle.
The procedure for restoring documents and obtaining new plates in 2026 has undergone a number of digital changes, becoming much simpler thanks to the introduction of electronic PTS and digital services of the traffic police. However, the car owner still needs to clearly know the sequence of actions in order to avoid queues and unnecessary trips to registration departments. It is important to understand that simply printing license plates at the nearest workshop without officially registering them in the database is illegal and will lead to problems on the road.
In this article we will analyze in detail all scenarios: from theft to damage, we will discuss the cost of services, the nuances of assigning new numbers and the procedure for maintaining a “beautiful” number. We will also touch on the topic E-GRZ and their legitimacy in the current legal field, as issues of digitalization of the automotive sector are becoming increasingly relevant.
Reasons for replacement and legal aspects
Before you start collecting documents, you need to clearly classify the reason why you need a replacement GRZ. Not only the list of required papers depends on this, but also the ability to save the current digital code. If the license plate is stolen, it is legally considered lost, and the police can put it on the wanted list, which blocks the possibility of it being used by criminals.
In case of physical damage, when the license plate is deformed, has cracks or worn-out coating, the traffic police inspector has every right to issue a fine when stopping. According to current regulations, signs must be clear and legible from a distance of 20 meters. If you simply changed the number to a new one in the workshop, but did not make changes to Vehicle registration certificate (STS), this is equivalent to driving an unregistered car.
⚠️ Attention: Installing a homemade license plate or plate made in a private company without making changes to the traffic police database is an administrative offense. Your car may be sent to the impound lot.
There is also a voluntary replacement scenario, when the owner wants to change the numbers to more “beautiful” ones or, conversely, get rid of an “unsuccessful” combination. In 2026, this procedure is simplified as much as possible and does not require the actual sale of the car, as was the case in past decades. You simply submit an application to change your registration data.
Procedure in case of theft or loss of numbers
If you find that there are no license plates on your car, the action algorithm must be strict and consistent. The first step is to go to the nearest police station to file a theft report. This is necessary in order to record the fact of loss and protect yourself from possible crimes committed using your numbers by hijackers.
After receiving a notification ticket from the police (or a certificate of receipt of a crime report), you can contact the traffic police. It is important to note that in 2026, having a paper ticket is not always necessary if the fact of theft is recorded in a single digital database, however, a printed copy of the application often speeds up the process at the document reception counter.
If numbers are lost (for example, lost on the road), the procedure is similar to theft, but the fact of loss is indicated in the statement. In both cases, the old numbers are put on the federal wanted list, and their use becomes impossible. This protects you from fines from cameras that may come after your plates are on another car.
Having collected the necessary package of documents, you go to the registration and examination department of the traffic police or act through the government services portal. Here you will be given a new one Certificate of Registration (STS) with new license plates, which then need to be physically manufactured.
☑️ Algorithm of actions in case of theft
Replacing damaged or illegible signs
The situation with damaged numbers is easier to solve, since it does not require contacting the police. If the license plate has scuffs, chips, corrosion or deformation that interferes with the identification of characters, you can directly contact the traffic police to replace them. The basis is the physical condition of the plate.
You need to bring the car to the observation deck, where the inspector will visually confirm that the signs are unreadable. Unlike theft, there is no need to wait for verification using the hoax databases, so the procedure is faster. The main requirement is that the symbols must be distinguishable; if at least one number or letter is erased, the number is considered invalid.
Often drivers try to paint over damaged areas with a marker or varnish. This should not be done, since any interference with the design of the sign is regarded as damage to it. Moreover, the inspector may regard this as an attempt to hide the real number, which will entail more serious sanctions.
Is it possible to drive with a stuck-on license plate?
Driving with a license plate covered with a transparent film or plug, even partially, is interpreted as driving a vehicle with signs of changing or concealing identification numbers. This threatens with a fine and deprivation of rights for a period of 6 months to 1 year. The only exception is special protective frames with transparent glass, certified according to GOST, but they should not distort the visibility of the symbols.
Change of registration data at the request of the owner
Many car owners do not know that in 2026 they can change their license plates simply at their own request, without selling the car. This service allows you to change the digital code, region, or keep the “thieves” number when moving to another subject of the Russian Federation. The procedure is legally formalized as a “change of registration data.”
When changing the region of registration of the car owner, changing the plates became mandatory only if you want the region code on the plate to correspond to your new place of residence. However, the law allows you to keep old plates with a different region code if they are in good condition and comply with GOST. This is especially true for those who are moving temporarily or planning to return.
If you want to keep your current license plate (for example, when selling a car), you need to write an application to retain the license plate. The number is stored in the traffic police database for up to 1 year. If you do not install it on your new vehicle within this time, it will be placed in reserve and may be issued to another applicant.
The cost of such a procedure consists only of state fees for issuing a new STS and making changes to the PTS (if it is paper). If desired, the numbers themselves can be left unchanged, leaving the old plates if they are in perfect condition.
When the owner of a car changes, new license plates are issued automatically only if this is requested in the application. If you want to keep your old numbers, be sure to indicate this in the application through State Services or when filling out the form by hand to avoid wasting 2,000 rubles.
Required documents and cost of services in 2026
To successfully change numbers, you must prepare a complete package of documents. In the era of digitalization, the list has become shorter, but the basic requirements remain the same. The absence of even one certificate may result in refusal to accept the application.
The main list of documents includes:
- 📄 Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation of the owner of the vehicle.
- 🚗 Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) - original.
- 📝 Vehicle Passport (PTS) - if it is paper; The electronic PTS is checked automatically.
- 📑 OSAGO policy (checked in the electronic database, but it is advisable to have a copy).
- 💰 Receipts for payment of state duties.
- 🚔 Police ticket (only in case of theft or loss).
The financial side of the issue is also important. In 2026, tariffs for public services were indexed. Below is an up-to-date table of the costs you will face.
| Type of service | Cost (RUB) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance of new license plates (metal) | 2 000 | Paid per set (2 pcs.) |
| Issuance of a new STS | 1 500 | Plastic card |
| Making changes to the paper PTS | 350 | If the PTS is electronic - free |
| Saving a number | 3 000 | For storage services at the traffic police |
| Issuance of transit numbers | 1 000 | Only for exporting cars abroad |
The official state duty at the traffic police is paid only for the issuance of new signs if you order their production directly from the department, which is now rare.
The procedure for obtaining and installing new numbers
Once the application is submitted and the fees are paid, the verification process begins. The inspector checks VIN code car, engine and body numbers with data in the database. If everything is clean, you will be given a new Certificate of Registration (CRC) and, if necessary, a PTS with a note about the new numbers.
Having received the documents in your hands, you head to the sign manufacturer. In 2026, many traffic police departments operate license plate production centers, which makes it possible to obtain them immediately. However, most often the documents are taken to a specialized organization licensed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
When receiving the finished signs, carefully check:
- 🔍 The clarity of the font and the absence of casting defects.
- 🛡 Availability of protective film and hologram.
- 📏 Compliance with the size (Euro format or standard) to the mounts of your car.
- 🇷🇺 Correct location of the flag and region code.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that there is a manufacturer's marking on the back of the license plate. The absence of a manufacturer's code is a sign of illegal production, and such a number may be confiscated at the first inspection.
You can set the numbers yourself. This will require standard fasteners. After installation, it is recommended to take photos of the car from the front and back for your archive. This will help prove the integrity of the license plates in case of disputes on the road in the future.
Key point: Obtaining a new STS is a mandatory step. Driving with new license plates and an old Certificate of Registration is equivalent to the absence of documents, since the data in them does not match.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can only one damaged license plate be replaced?
No, the law requires replacement of the kit. Even if only one sign (front or rear) is damaged, you will be issued two new plates. It is not always required to hand over the old surviving plate, but getting a set of two identical plates is a mandatory rule to ensure uniformity.
What to do if your license plate is stolen and it’s too far to go to the police?
According to the current rules, you can file a theft report through the State Services portal or call the duty station to record the call. However, to obtain a notification ticket, which may be required by the traffic police, a personal visit to the department at the scene of the incident is still the most reliable way, although in some regions electronic reporting of crimes is possible.
Do I need to change plates when selling a car?
By default, when a car is sold to a new owner, new license plates are issued. However, if the seller wants to keep his number, he must write a statement to preserve the license plate until the time of sale. The buyer can keep the old license plates if they are in good condition, or ask for new ones by paying a state fee.
How long does it take for the traffic police to store license plates?
The retention period for a reserved license plate is 1 year from the date of application. If during this period you do not apply to install a license plate on your car, it will be transferred to a free pool and may go to another citizen. The shelf life cannot be extended.
Is it possible to make a duplicate number without documents?
Officially, no. Licensed license plate production facilities are required to require an STS or a certificate of license plate retention. Making a duplicate without documents is possible only in illegal workshops, but using such a duplicate carries risks: the number may not be entered into the database or may be declared a joke, which will lead to problems with the law.