You deregistered your car, sold it, or simply replaced the license plates with new ones - and now you are holding metal plates with letters and numbers in your hands. It seems that this is an ordinary piece of iron, but in fact old numbers can become a source of problems if handled incorrectly. On the one hand, they cannot simply be thrown into the trash: according to the law, this is considered the loss of registration plates, for which fine up to 2,500 rubles (Part 2 of Article 12.2 of the Administrative Code). On the other hand, storing them for years in the garage is also not always reasonable: they take up space, and if lost, you will have to write an explanatory note to the traffic police.

In this article we will analyze all legal ways to get rid of old numbers - from delivery to the traffic police to sale to collectors, and we will also tell you what documents must be preserved to avoid claims from inspectors. We will pay special attention to the nuances with electronic PTS and machines deregistered for disposal. If you don't want to pay fines or deal with bureaucratic delays, read on.

1. Turn it in to the traffic police: the most reliable (but not always convenient) way

The official procedure for recycling license plates through the State Traffic Inspectorate is 100% legal method, which will save you from any claims in the future. According to Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 605 (clause 35), when replacing or deregistering, the car owner is obliged to hand over the old registration plates to the traffic police if they will not be used on another vehicle. The process takes no more than 10 minutes, but there are some nuances.

To submit your numbers you will need:

  • 📄 Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation (or other identification document).
  • 📋 Vehicle registration certificate (if the car is still registered) or application for deregistration (if the car is scrapped or sold).
  • 🔑 The registration plates themselves (if you have lost one of the numbers, you will have to write an explanatory note).

The procedure is free, but in some regions you may be required to fill out form for notification of loss/surrender of numbers. After accepting the signs, the inspector will give you certificate of delivery — it is better to save it in case of controversial situations. If the numbers were lost, you will have to pay state duty 2,000 rubles for issuing new ones.

⚠️ Attention: If you deregistered your car for recycling, but did not submit the license plates to the traffic police, they can be used by scammers to register another car. In this case, all fines and taxes will come to your name.
📊 Have you already encountered the replacement of license plates?
Yes, I handed over the old ones to the traffic police
Yes, but I kept it for myself
No, I haven't changed it yet
I bought a car with someone else's license plates

The market for "nice" or rare plates has existed for a long time, and some car owners are trying to make money on their old plates. But here it is important to understand: The sale of license plates as such is prohibited (Article 19.22 of the Administrative Code). However, there are loopholes:

  • 🎨 Collection numbers (for example, with repeating numbers 777 or letters AAA) can be sold as souvenirs, but only after official submission to the traffic police and receipt of a certificate.
  • 🔄 Exchange through re-registration: if you buy a car with “nice” license plates, you can agree with the seller to preserve the signs (but this requires registration through the traffic police).
  • 📜 Rooms with history (for example, from Soviet times) are sometimes purchased by collectors, but the transaction must be formalized as a transfer property law, and not the sale of state signs.

Average price for "beautiful" rooms on Avito or specialized forums ranges from 5,000 to 50,000 rubles, but the risks are high: if the buyer uses them illegally, you may be held liable. It is better to sell through trusted platforms, for example, nomera.ru or drom.ru, where there is Moderation.

💡

Before selling, check the numbers through the service traffic police - if they are wanted or tied to stolen cars, the transaction automatically becomes illegal.

3. Recycling through scrap metal collection points: is it possible?

Technically, license plates are made of aluminum and can be returned to scrap metal collection point. However, there is a legal catch: according to paragraph 4 Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399, the destruction of registration plates must be carried out under the control of authorized bodies (that is, the traffic police). If you simply take them to scrap metal, this may be considered willful loss, which entails a fine.

How to do it right:

  1. First, submit your license plates to the traffic police and get a certificate.
  2. Ask the inspector to make a note that the signs subject to disposal.
  3. Only after this, take them to a collection point (it is better to choose a licensed one that works with government agencies).

Price per kilogram of aluminum in 2026 - approx. 120–150 rubles, but for one number you will get no more 50–80 rubles. The benefits are minimal, but the risks are high. If you want to get rid of numbers without hassle, it is better to use other methods.

What happens if you throw the numbers in a regular trash container?

If the garbage disposal is maintained by a management company, and the numbers are found, theoretically you could be fined for illegal handling of registration plates (Article 19.22 of the Administrative Code). In practice, such cases are rare, but if the signs fall into the hands of scammers, problems are guaranteed.

4. Storing old numbers: when is it justified?

Some car owners prefer keep your old numbers - and this is acceptable if you follow the rules:

  • 🔐 Store them in locked cabinet or safeto prevent unauthorized access.
  • 📝 Save copies of documents confirming that the car was deregistered or the plates were replaced for a legal reason (for example, wear and tear).
  • ⏳ Don't store signs anymore 3 years - after this period it is better to dispose of them officially.

When storage is justified:

  • 🔄 You plan to put license plates on your other car (for example, if they personalized).
  • 🎭 Signs have sentimental value (for example, the first numbers of your car).
  • 📊 You run a car-related business and need backup numbers for test drives.

The danger of this approach is that if the license plates are stolen or lost, you will have to write a statement to the traffic police about the loss. In addition, inspectors may demand to explain why you kept the signs without notifying the state traffic police. To avoid problems, it is better to get it from the traffic police in advance storage permission (it is issued upon application).

5. Transfer of numbers to another owner: design nuances

If you are selling a car, but want to keep the old plates (for example, because they personalized or have a special meaning), this is possible - but only if strict rules are followed. According to paragraph 42 Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 605, the owner has the right to retain the registration plates provided:

  • 📋 The buyer agrees to the issuance of new license plates for the car.
  • 🔄 You submit application for preservation of signs at the traffic police before re-registering the car to the new owner.
  • 💰 You pay the state duty for the production of new signs for the buyer (2,000 rubles).

The procedure looks like this:

  1. You and the buyer come to the traffic police and write a joint statement.
  2. The inspector checks the documents and issues new numbers to the buyer.
  3. Your old signs remain with you, but a note about them is made in the traffic police database suspension.

Important: if you do not put these numbers on your other car within 6 months, they will have to be handed over to the traffic police or disposed of. Also note that When selling a car while keeping the plates, the buyer can request a discount since he will have to pay for new plates.

Application for preservation of signs (form issued by the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate)|Passport of the seller and buyer|Vehicle registration certificate|Car purchase and sale agreement-->

6. What to do if numbers are lost or stolen

If you have lost your old numbers or they have been stolen, you must urgently notify the traffic police — otherwise you risk getting fines for other people’s offenses. Algorithm of actions:

  1. Write a statement of loss in any traffic police department (not necessarily at the place of registration).
  2. Pay the state fee for issuing new license plates (2,000 rubles) or duplicates (1,500 rubles, if the car was not sold).
  3. If your license plates have been stolen, file a report with police (this will help avoid problems if the signs are used for criminal purposes).

The deadline for consideration of the application is until 30 days. At this time, inspectors will check whether your license plates are on the wanted list. If you fail to report the loss and the tags are found on another vehicle, you may be fined 2,500 rubles for failure to notify about changes in registration data (Part 1 of Article 19.22 of the Administrative Code).

⚠️ Attention: If you deregistered a car for recycling, but did not hand over the plates, and then they were stolen, it will be impossible to restore them. In this case, you will have to write an explanatory note and pay a fine for the loss.

Incorrect handling of old numbers can result not only in fines, but also in more serious problems. The table below shows the main violations and penalties for them:

Violation Fine/punishment Regulatory act
Failure to submit license plates to the traffic police after deregistration 1,500–2,500 rubles Part 2 art. 12.2 Code of Administrative Offenses
Selling rooms without registration Fine up to 2,000 rubles or confiscation Art. 19.22 Code of Administrative Offenses
Using someone else's numbers (if yours were stolen) 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for 1–3 months Part 4 art. 12.2 Code of Administrative Offenses
Failure to report lost numbers 1,000–1,500 rubles Part 1 art. 19.22 Code of Administrative Offenses
Destruction of license plates without permission from the traffic police Warning or fine 500 rubles Part 1 art. 19.1 Code of Administrative Offenses

The most dangerous situation is when your old numbers are used for registration of stolen cars or doubles. In this case, you will have to prove your innocence, and this may take months. To minimize risks, always take the traffic police certificate of surrender of rooms and keep it no less 3 years.

💡

Even if you are not guilty of offenses committed with your old license plates, it will be difficult to prove this without documents from the traffic police. Always record the fact of handing over or recycling signs!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about old numbers

Is it possible to put old license plates on your other car?

Yes, but only if:

  • The car is registered to you.
  • You will submit an application to the traffic police about porting numbers.
  • Old signs are not listed as wanted or lost.

The procedure is free, but may take up to 5 days.

What to do if you bought a car with someone else's license plates?

Urgently re-register it with the traffic police! If the previous owner did not officially surrender the license plates, all fines for them will be in his name, but in the event of an accident or inspection, problems will arise with you. It is better to ask the seller for a certificate of surrender of old signs or to issue new ones.

Is it possible to make a souvenir (for example, a key holder) from old numbers?

Yes, but only after official submission to the traffic police. If you simply cut off the fasteners and hang the number on the wall, this could be considered illegal possession of registration plates. It is better to get a recycling certificate and then use the metal for crafts.

How long does it take to return the plates after selling the car?

The law does not set strict deadlines, but it is recommended to do so within 10 days after deregistration. If numbers are stolen or lost during this time, you may be fined for late notification.

What happens if you throw numbers into a metal container?

In theory, you could be fined for illegal disposal (Article 19.1 of the Administrative Code), but in practice such cases are rare. The main risk is if someone else finds the numbers and uses them for fraudulent purposes. It's better to hand them in officially.