How long can you drive without license plates after buying a car at a dealership: deadlines, fines and rules for

You bought a new car from a dealership, but it doesn’t have license plates. Is it possible to immediately go on the road? How long does it take to obtain permanent license plates? These questions concern every new car owner. In 2026, the rules remain strict, but there are nuances that many are not aware of.

According to current legislation, driving without license plates is a violation of traffic rules, but for new cars it is provided grace period. However, it is often confused with the time for registration with the traffic police. Let's figure out what deadlines are established by law, what fines threaten for violation, and how to properly issue temporary license plates to avoid problems with inspectors.

Important: even if you bought a car at a dealership, this does not automatically give you the right to drive without license plates as long as you like. The rules clearly regulate when you can drive a vehicle without registration plates and when you cannot.

How many days can you drive without license plates after purchasing a car at a dealership?

According to paragraph 2 of article 8 of Federal Law No. 283-FZ, the owner of a new car is given 10 days for registration with the traffic police. However, this does not mean that you can drive without license plates for all 10 days. Here are the key points:

✅ First 10 days - this is the deadline for registering a car, but not for driving without license plates. If you have neither permanent nor temporary signs, the traffic police inspector has the right to issue a fine.

✅ Temporary numbers (transit) - the only legal way to travel without permanent signs. They can be obtained at the salon upon purchase or issued independently at the traffic police.

⚠️ Attention: If you did not have time to register your car within 10 days, but are driving with temporary license plates, this is not a violation. A fine is imposed only for absence any registration plates.

Many car owners mistakenly believe that 10 days is a “grace period” for driving without license plates. In fact, this is the deadline for registration, and not for driving a vehicle without registration plates.

What the law says: Traffic rules and the Code of Administrative Offenses about driving without license plates

B Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO) fines for missing numbers are clearly stated:

• 📜 Article 12.2 of the Administrative Code, part 2 — driving a vehicle without state registration plates will result in a fine 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for 1–3 months.
• 🚗 Exception: if installed on the machine temporary transit numbers, no penalty applies.
• ⏳ 10 day period (Article 8 283-FZ) - this is the time for registration, but not for driving without license plates. The inspector can issue a fine even on the 2nd day after purchase if there are no transits.

At the same time, in Traffic regulations (clause 2.1.1) it is said that the driver is required to carry and hand over for inspection registration documents. Without license plates on the car, this step cannot be completed, since the inspector will not be able to verify the data.

⚠️ Attention: If you bought a car at a dealership and are driving without license plates, but at the same time you have PTS with sale mark and purchase and sale agreement, this does not exempt you from the fine. The numbers must be physically installed by car.

How to obtain temporary (transit) numbers in 2026

Temporary plates are a legal way to drive without permanent signs during 20 days (maximum period). They can be obtained in two ways:

1. At the car showroom upon purchase — many dealers offer to arrange transits immediately. The cost is usually included in the service package or is 1,000–2,500 rubles.
2. Independently at the traffic police - for this you need to provide:
   • 📄 Owner's passport
   • 📄 PTS (vehicle passport)
   • 📄 Purchase and sale agreement
   • 💳 Receipt for payment of state duty (800 rubles for transits)

✅ Advantages of transit numbers:

• ✔️ You can drive 20 days no fines
• ✔️ There is no need to rush to register (but it is better to do it within 10 days)
• ✔️ Legally move your car to another region

❌ Disadvantages:

• ❌ Worth the money (if you do not arrange it in the salon)
• ❌ Not all inspectors like transits and can find fault
• ❌ Validity period is limited - then you still need to register

Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation|PTS with a mark of sale|Purchase and sale agreement|Receipt for payment of state duty (800 ₽)|Application for the issuance of transit (sample in the traffic police)-->

Fines for driving without license plates: when can you appeal?

If you are stopped without license plates, the inspector will issue a fine according to Part 2 Art. 12.2 Code of Administrative Offenses — 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights. However, there are cases when a fine can be appealed:

⚠️ Attention: If you have been deprived of your license for driving without license plates, you must appeal the decision within 10 days through the court. There are chances of success if:

• 📸 Do you have evidence (photo/video) that the numbers were installed
• 📝 The inspector filled out the protocol incorrectly (for example, he did not indicate the make of the car)
• ⏳ You were stopped on the last day of the 10-day period for registration, and you presented documents on registration

What to do if you didn’t have time to register your car within 10 days

If 10 days have passed and you have not yet managed to register the car, there are several options:

🔹 Extend transit numbers - can be done once for an additional 20 days. To do this, you need to contact the traffic police with an application and pay the state fee (800 rubles).

🔹 Apply for temporary registration — if you bought a car in another region, you can register it at your place of residence (for 1–2 months).

🔹 Negotiate with the inspector - if you are stopped, you can show your purchase documents and explain the reason for the delay. Some inspectors will cooperate if it is clear that you are not intentionally breaking the law.

⚠️ Attention: If you drive without license plates for more than 10 days and have no transits, there will be a fine 5,000 rubles for each stop. Repeated violations may result in license deprivation for 3 months.

Is it possible to drive without license plates if the car is registered, but the plates are lost?

If the car is already registered with the traffic police, but the license plates lost, stolen or damaged, the rules are different:

• ⏱️ Do you have 3 days to restore numbers (clause 3.1 of Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 605).
• 📋 You need to write an application to the traffic police for the issuance of duplicates (state duty - 2,000 rubles).
• 🚨 If you are stopped during these 3 days, you will not be issued a fine, but they may give you a verbal warning.

If more than 3 days have passed and the numbers have not been restored, the inspector has the right to issue a fine 5,000 rubles or deprive of rights.

✅ How to avoid a fine:

• 📝 Take a certificate from the traffic police stating that you have submitted an application for duplicates.
• 📸 Take photos of damaged/stolen license plates (if possible).
• 🚗 If you are traveling without license plates, keep a copy of your police report about the theft with you.

Frequent mistakes car owners make when driving without license plates

Many drivers think they can avoid a fine if:

• ❌ They will put homemade license plates on your car (fine - 2,500 rubles + confiscation of signs).
• ❌ They will only drive at night or on less traveled roads (fixation cameras work 24/7).
• ❌ They will present the PTS inspector instead of license plates (this does not exempt you from a fine).
• ❌ They will say that they “just bought a car” (10 days is for registration, not for driving without license plates).

✅ Correct Actions:

• 🔧 Apply for transit license plates at the salon or the traffic police department.
• ⏱️ Register the car in the first 10 days.
• 📋 Always carry your PTS, purchase and sale agreement and passport with you.
• 🚗 If you are stopped without license plates, politely explain the situation and show your documents.

⚠️ Attention: Some salons promise to “solve the issue with numbers” for an additional fee. This is often a scam - transit numbers can only be issued legally through the traffic police.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about driving without license plates