State registration numbers of Kazakhstan are not just metal plates on a car, but a whole layer of information about the vehicle and its owner. Since 2012, the country has had a unified license plate standard, but many car owners are still confused about decoding letters and numbers. And after the 2023 reform, new series appeared that raised even more questions.
In this article we will look at current rules 2026: how to read Kazakh license plates, which regions are encrypted under certain letters, how to check a car by license plate through official databases, and what the penalties are for counterfeiting or hiding license plates. You will also find out what they look like special numbers for diplomats, taxis and electric vehicles, and why some combinations are 10 times more expensive than standard ones on the black market.
If you are planning to buy a car with Kazakhstan license plates or just want to understand the system, this article will help you avoid mistakes. We have collected official data from the Public Service Center and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as the experience of auto lawyers who deal with vehicle registration problems every day.
Structure of Kazakhstan license plates: what the letters and numbers mean
Modern license plates of Kazakhstan consist of 7 characters, distributed in the format X 123 XX 4, where:
- 🔤 First letter (X) - serial number (for example, A, B, K etc.). New series introduced in 2023 T, U, V to expand the number of rooms.
- 🔢 Three digits (123) — a unique vehicle number within the series.
- 🔤🔤 Two letters (XX) — registration region code (for example, AK — Akmola region, AL - Almaty).
- 🔢 Last digit (4) — vehicle type code (passenger cars —
1or4, cargo -2, motorcycles -3etc.).
Example: number B 456 KL 1 deciphered like this:
- Series B - second in a row (after A).
- Unique number
456. - Region KL — Kyzylorda region.
- Digit
1- a passenger car.
Important: from 2020 on the numbers appeared hologram sign in the upper right corner is protection against counterfeiting. Old numbers without a hologram must be replaced upon re-registration.
Kazakhstan region codes on license plates: complete table 2026
The two middle letters on the number indicate region of primary registration of the car. For example, if the car is registered in Astana, the number will have the letters AN or AT. Below is the current table of codes for 2026:
| Code | Region | Example number |
|---|---|---|
| AK, AM, AR | Akmola region | A 123 AK 4 |
| AN, AT, AU | Astana city | B 456 AN 1 |
| AL, LT, LU | Almaty city | K 789 AL 4 |
| AB, AB, AV | Abay region | T 321 AB 2 |
| ZH, ZT, ZU | Zhambyl region | U 654 ZH 1 |
🔍 How to spot a fake number? If in a car with license plates AL (Almaty) there is a sign AK (Akmola), this is a reason to check the documents. You should also be wary if:
- 🚨 There is no hologram on the number (mandatory from 2020).
- 🚨 Letters or numbers are uneven, blurred.
- 🚨 The region code does not match the registration in STS.
⚠️ Attention: Since 2023, a rule has been in force in Kazakhstan: when the owner’s region of residence changes, the car must be re-registered within 30 days. Otherwise, a fine of up to 15 MCI (about 50,000 tenge).
New series of numbers 2023–2026: what has changed
Due to the growth of the vehicle fleet in Kazakhstan, combinations in series have ended by 2023 A–S. Therefore, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan introduced new series:
- 🆕 T, U, V - for passenger cars.
- 🆕 W, X - for trucks and special equipment.
- 🆕 Y, Z — reserve series (not yet widely used).
The design has also changed:
- 🎨 The flag of Kazakhstan is now located on the left (previously on the right).
- 🎨 The font has become clearer, with protective elements against counterfeiting.
- 🎨 For electric vehicles, a green stripe has been introduced at the bottom (similar to European license plates).
💡 Why are some rooms more expensive? On the black market, combinations with repeating numbers are valued (for example, AAA 777) or "beautiful" letters (for example, VIP). Such numbers can be sold for 500,000–2,000,000 tenge, although officially issuing them for a fee is prohibited.
If you are offered a “nice” room for money, check it through the service eGov.kz - often these are fakes or license plates from stolen cars.
How to check a car by license plate: 3 official ways
Before buying a used car with Kazakhstan license plates be sure to check out his story. Here are the legal ways:
- Service eGov.kz
- 📱 Enter the number in the "Vehicle Check" section.
- 📱 The system will show: year of manufacture, VIN, accident history, presence of restrictions.
- 📱 Cost:
1,500 tengeper request.
- Mobile application "Qamqor"
- 📲 Download in App Store or Google Play.
- 📲 Enter the number or VIN - get information about fines and accidents.
- 🏛️ Provide your number and passport - you will be given an extract from the registry.
- 🏛️ Free for the owner, for third parties -
2,000 tenge.
⚠️ What should you be wary of?
- 🚗 The number is in the database, but there is no information about the car - perhaps it is a fake.
- 🚗 There is a record of scrapping in the history, but the car is running - a sign of “broken” numbers.
- 🚗 The owner refuses to provide the VIN for verification.
Check the number through eGov.kz|Check the VIN on the body and in the documents|Make sure there are no restrictions on registration|Ask for the original STS, not a copy-->
Fines for violations of license plates in 2026
There are penalties for fraud with license plates in Kazakhstan serious sanctions - from fines to criminal liability. Here are the current penalties:
| Violation | Fine (MCI) | Additional measures |
|---|---|---|
| Driving without license plates | 20 (≈68,000 tenge) | Evacuation to impound lot |
| Fake numbers | 50 (≈170,000 tenge) | Confiscation of numbers + criminal case |
| Covering the number with dirt/film | 10 (≈34,000 tenge) | Warning for first violation |
| Mismatch between number and documents | 30 (≈102,000 tenge) | Deregistration until elimination |
| Using other people's numbers | 40 (≈136,000 tenge) | Arrest for 5 days |
🔴 The most dangerous violation - riding with fake numbers. According to Article 375 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, this is punishable by:
- 🛑 Fine up to
1,000 MCI(≈3,400,000 tenge). - 🛑 Deprivation of rights for 3 years.
- 🛑 Confiscation of the car (if it is also stolen).
⚠️ Attention: Since 2026, automatic recording cameras have learned to recognize dirty or closed rooms. If the system cannot read at least 3 characters, a fine will come automatically.
Special numbers: diplomats, taxis, electric vehicles
There are several types of numbers in Kazakhstan that stand out from the usual ones:
- 🚖 Taxi: yellow background, black symbols. Series T or TA. Example:
TA 123 KL 1. - 🇺🇳 Diplomats: red symbols on a white background. The first digits are the country code (for example,
1— USA,2- Russia). Example:2 045 CD 1. - ⚡ Electric cars: standard room, but with green stripe below. Example:
E 321 AL 4. - 🚜 Agricultural machinery: green background, white symbols. Series X or XT.
🔹 Is it possible to drive with diplomatic license plates?
- ✅ Yes, if you are a diplomat or an employee of an international organization.
- ❌ No, if you bought a car with such license plates secondhand, this is a violation.
💡 Interesting fact: License plates for electric vehicles were introduced only in 2023. Owners Tesla, BYD and other "electric trains" can receive them free of charge upon re-registration.
What happens if you travel with diplomatic license plates without status?
According to Article 427 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan, this is equivalent to the use of fake documents. Fine - up to 100 MCI (≈340,000 tenge), plus confiscation of numbers and possible criminal charges for fraud. Diploma numbers are checked against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs database, and at the very first stop by the inspector, the fraud will be revealed.
How to change license plate in Kazakhstan: step-by-step instructions 2026
Replacing numbers is required in several cases:
- 🔄 When changing the owner (buying/selling a car).
- 🔄 If numbers are lost or damaged.
- 🔄 When changing your region of residence.
- 🔄 When changing the type of vehicle (for example, converting a truck into a passenger car).
Documents for replacement:
- 📄 Owner’s passport.
- 📄 STS (registration certificate).
- 📄 Purchase and sale agreement (if there is a change of owner).
- 📄 Receipt for payment of state duty (
2,500 tengefor new numbers).
Step by step process:
- Make an appointment at PSC or through eGov.
- Pay the state fee (you can do it online via Kaspi Bank or Halyk Bank).
- Provide documents and old numbers (if any).
- Receive new numbers within
1–3 business days.
⚠️ Attention: If you have lost your numbers, first file a police report about the theft. Without this document, you will be refused to issue duplicates.
Since 2026, replacing license plates when selling a car has become mandatory - even if the buyer is your relative. This rule was introduced to combat “gray” transactions.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Kazakhstan license plates
🔹 Is it possible to drive with Russian license plates in Kazakhstan?
Yes, but only if you are staying in the country temporarily (up to 6 months). For permanent use, you need to re-register the car in Kazakhstan.
🔹 How to find out which region is written on the number?
Use the official table of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (see section above) or check through the service CheckAuto.kz.
🔹 How much does it cost to produce a duplicate number?
State duty - 2,500 tenge for a couple of rooms. If you lose one number, you will have to change both.
🔹 Is it possible to choose a beautiful room for money?
Officially, no. But on the black market such numbers are sold for 200,000–2,000,000 tenge. Risk: counterfeit or problems during re-registration.
🔹 What to do if you bought a car with fake license plates?
Contact the police immediately and file a report. Otherwise, fines and liability will fall on you as the new owner.