Situations when the owner of a vehicle has to change state registration plates (GRP) arise quite often. This may be due to physical damage to the plates, theft, a change in the owner's last name, or simply a desire to get a number with a better area code. The replacement procedure in 2026 has become more standardized, but still requires a careful approach to collecting documents and complying with administrative regulations.
It is necessary to clearly distinguish between two main scenarios: maintaining the current numbers and letters when receiving new metal plates and completely changing the combination of symbols. The first option is relevant in case of loss or damage, the second is if you want to change the binding region or simply “refresh” the appearance of the car. Legislation provides clear deadlines and action algorithms for each case, violation of which may result in fines or refusal of registration.
In this article, we will analyze in detail all stages of the process, the current amounts of state duties and nuances that will help avoid queues and bureaucratic delays. You will find out whether it is possible to obtain license plates on the day of application and what to do if the traffic police department runs out of forms. Careful Study requirements will save you time and nerves when visiting the registration and examination department.
Reasons for replacement and legal regulations
Before going to the traffic police, you need to determine the legal basis for changing license plates. You can’t just change the number to a “beautiful” one or a more prestigious one without changing the owner - the legislation of the Russian Federation strictly regulates this process. The main reasons why replacement is allowed are loss (theft, loss), unreadability (corrosion, mechanical damage making symbols difficult to distinguish) and change of registration data owner.
If the license plate has been stolen, the owner must first contact the police to file a report. You will be given a notification coupon, which is a mandatory document for the traffic police. Without confirmation from law enforcement agencies, changing license plates due to theft is impossible, as this may be regarded as an attempt to hide a stolen car.
⚠️ Attention: Driving with unreadable or modified license plates will result in a fine under Part 4 of Art. 12.2 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. If the numbers have been erased over time, replace them voluntarily before meeting with the traffic police inspector.
In case of a change of surname, name or place of residence (registration), the owner is obliged to make changes to the STS and PTS, which automatically entails the issuance of new license plates with the corresponding region code. Registration actions in this case, they are required within 10 days after receiving a new passport with a registration mark.
Required package of documents
Collecting documents is the stage where hiccups most often occur. In 2026, the list of requirements remains strict, and the absence of even one certificate may result in the application being rejected. The main list includes a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, a vehicle passport (PTS) and a valid vehicle registration certificate (VRC). If the car is pledged or loaned, additional permissions from the bank may be required.
Particular attention should be paid to the MTPL policy. Although formally a new policy is not always required to replace numbers, the data in the insurance must correspond to the current data in the STS. If you change your number due to a change of registration, changes will need to be made to the policy, which is best done in advance through the insurance company.
You will also need to fill out an application in the prescribed form. It can be filled out by hand at the traffic police department or generated electronically through the State Services portal. In the second case, the process is faster, since many fields are filled in automatically based on profile data.
- 📄 Vehicle owner’s passport (original and copy).
- 🚗 Vehicle Passport (PTS) - original.
- 🆔 Vehicle registration certificate (STS) - submitted to the traffic police.
- 🛡️ OSAGO policy (current).
- 📝 Receipt for payment of state duty.
It is important to note that if the owner of the car is a legal entity, you will need a power of attorney for the representative, certified by the seal of the organization, and an extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities. Power of attorney must be valid at the time of submission of documents.
Amount of state fees and payment procedure
The financial side of the issue also requires preparation. The cost of replacing plates is made up of several components, and the total amount depends on whether you need to change only the metal plates or make changes to the documents. In 2026, tariffs were indexed, so it is worth focusing on the current amounts.
If you return old plates and get new ones (full replacement), you will have to pay for the issuance of new plates, changes to the STS and, if there is space, to the PTS. If you change numbers due to a change of registration, but want to keep the old numbers (provided the region code matches), you only pay for the issuance of a new STS and entry into the PTS.
| Type of service | Cost (RUB) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance of new license plates (metal) | 2 000 | Paid upon complete replacement of plates |
| Issuance of a new STS | 500 | Mandatory for any data change |
| Making changes to the PTS | 350 | If there is a place in the paper PTS |
| Issuance of a new PTS | 800 | If you run out of space in the old |
| Saving numbers | 3 000 | For storing numbers for up to 1 year |
Pay the state duty through the State Services portal or in the banking application to avoid queues at the traffic police cash desk and terminal fees.
Payment can be made through Sberbank Online, on the State Services portal or at terminals located in the traffic police buildings. Receipt payment information must be saved in electronic or paper form - inspection staff check the receipt of money in the database, but the presence of a receipt speeds up the process.
Step-by-step instructions: replacement through State Services
The most convenient way to submit an application is to use the unified government services portal. This allows you to book the exact time of your visit and avoid live queues. The process begins with authorization in your personal account and selecting the “Vehicle Registration” service.
Next, you need to select the “Change of registration data” category and indicate the reason, for example, “Loss or theft of documents/numbers” or “Change of residence.” The system will automatically load your data and vehicle data. All you have to do is choose a convenient traffic police department and time of visit.
☑️ Checklist before visiting the traffic police
At the appointed time, you arrive at the department with a package of documents and a car. The car must be presented to the inspection platform for verification of VIN numbers and component parts. The inspector checks that there are no signs of illegal interference in the design and that the body numbers correspond to the documents.
Algorithm of actions on the site:
1. Drive up to the inspection area.
2. Open the hood and trunk at the request of the inspector.
3. Provide access to the VIN code on the body.
4. Receive an inspection report signed by the inspector.
After a successful inspection, you submit your documents to the admission window. Old numbers (if you have them) must be returned. In return, you will be given new signs, a new STS and a mark in the PTS. The entire process, if there is a recording, usually takes no more than an hour.
Changing region and saving numbers
One of the most common questions is whether it is possible to keep your old numbers when moving to another region. According to current rules, the region code on the license plate must correspond to the region of registration of the owner in the passport. If you are registered in Moscow, and your car has license plates from the Krasnodar Territory, you will be given new plates with code 77, 97 or 99.
However, there is a mechanism for “saving numbers”. If you want to keep the current combination of letters and numbers (for example, to transfer to another car in the future or simply out of personal preference), you can write an application to retain the GRZ. In this case, the old plates are removed, new ones are assigned to the car (with the correct region code), and the old ones are sent to storage in the traffic police for up to 1 year.
⚠️ Attention: Saved numbers cannot be “transferred” to another car immediately. First, they must be registered to the donor car, and only then, upon sale or deregistration, can they be transferred to a new car.
The storage service is paid and requires separate payment. If you do not use your saved numbers within a year, they will be discarded and you will lose the right to restore them. This is an important nuance that owners often forget about.
Is it possible to buy a “beautiful” number officially?
Officially, auctions for the sale of “thieves’ license plates” are not held in Russia. All offers to purchase such license plates are an illegal scheme through the purchase and sale of a donor car, which carries risks for the buyer.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
When replacing license plates, owners often make mistakes that lead to repeated visits to the traffic police. One of the most common is an attempt to hand over numbers that are on the wanted list. If your plates were stolen and criminals used them on a stolen car, this fact may come up when you hand them over to the police.
Another mistake is the lack of insurance or its inadequacy. If the MTPL expires on the day of application, the system may not allow the application to pass. Problems also arise when there are unpaid fines, although formally they are not grounds for refusal, but can delay the procedure.
- ❌ Attempting to fix damage to the license plate yourself using paint or varnish.
- ❌ Submitting an application without an appointment, which leads to a long wait.
- ❌ Lack of copies of documents (although they are often made on the spot, it is better to have your own).
- ❌ The color of the car in the PTS does not match the real one (for example, after repainting).
If you find an error in the new documents already at the department, point it out immediately. Correcting typos "retrospectively" will require writing explanatory notes and may take several days. Data verification employee and owner on site is key.
Always check the VIN code and engine number in the new STS and PTS before leaving the document issuance window. Correcting the error after the fact will be much more difficult.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to change plates without the owner's personal presence?
Yes, this is possible by proxy. The power of attorney must be notarized, and it must clearly state the right of the representative to perform registration actions, including obtaining license plates and documents. The representative provides his passport and original power of attorney.
What to do if the traffic police said that the license plates are not available?
This happens rarely, but it does happen. In this case, you will be given a new STS with new numbers, but you will receive the metal plates themselves later. You cannot drive with a printed STS and without license plates (or with old ones, if they have been returned). You must be given a temporary permit or given a deadline to pick up the signs.
Do I need to undergo a technical inspection to change plates?
For passenger cars owned by individuals and used for personal needs, a diagnostic card (technical inspection) is not required for registration and replacement of license plates. This rule applies regardless of the age of the car.
Is it possible to rent out numbers through the MFC?
MFCs accept applications for many automotive services, but the issuance of metal license plates themselves and changes to the traffic police database usually occur only in specialized traffic police departments. You can only submit documents through the MFC, but the replacement procedure itself will not be completed there.