A state number with beautiful combinations of numbers or letters (for example, A111AA 777) are sold on the secondary market at prices from 50 000 to 500 000 rubles - depending on the region and the uniqueness of the room. However, buying someone else’s numbers through re-registration of the PTS is associated with legal risks: if the previous owner did not remove the car from the register or there are debts on fines, the problems will pass to you. Before you pay for a “beautiful” number, check its history through the service. GABD or Autocode This will prevent you from buying a “problem” number with restrictions.
Since 2023, new rules for issuing license plates have been in force in Russia: now they can be obtained only when registering a car or replacing old plates. Purchase of numbers "from hand" is possible only through the official re-registration of the vehicle, which requires changes in the PTS and registration actions. If the seller offers "clean" numbers without reference to the car - it is 100% fraud, since since 2013 all the numbers are tied to a specific vehicle.
In this article, we will analyze how to legally buy a state number for a car, what documents will be required, how much it will cost and what to pay attention to so as not to run into a fake or legal problems. We will also talk about alternative ways to get a beautiful room without buying - through participation in traffic police auctions or a choice of free combinations.
1. Can I legally buy a car number?
From the point of view of the law Buying a car separate from the car is not possible.. All license plates are strictly linked to the vehicle and are issued only when registered. There are two ways to get a “beautiful” number:
- 🔄 Re-registration of the car with the necessary numbers Buy a car with the number you like, and then sell it without the number (they stay with you).
- 🏛️ Participation in the auctions of traffic police Some regions hold auctions for the sale of “beautiful” rooms (for example, MIMM777).
Important: If the seller offers “clean” numbers without a car or promises to “inscribe” them in your documents – this is fraud. Since 2013, all numbers are recorded in the traffic police database and are tied to the VIN of the car. Any manipulation of numbers without re-registration of the vehicle is criminally punishable (Article I. 327 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation "Fake documents".
The only legal way is to buy a car with the right numbers and then save them when selling the car. To do this, when deregistering in the traffic police, you need to write a statement on the preservation of numbers. However, this option will be expensive: the price of cars with "beautiful" numbers can be overstated by 200-500 thousand rubles.
If you need a specific number (such as your date of birth), check its availability through the service. GABD. It may not have been issued yet and can be obtained free of charge when registered.
2. How much does it cost to buy a license plate for a car?
The cost of state registrations in the secondary market depends on several factors:
- 📍 Region - Moscow numbers (
77,99,177,777and St. Petersburg78,98) series are more expensive. - 🔢 Number/letter combination "Mirror" (A111AA), "Troika" (AAA333) or "zero" (A000AA) numbers are valued higher.
- 🚗 Type of TC - passenger car numbers (
1at the beginning) cheaper than for motorcycles (4) or trucks (2).
Prices for popular combinations (according to the data) Avito and Drom.ru 2026:
| Type of number | Example | Price, rub. |
|---|---|---|
| Simple "beautiful" | A123AA 77 | 50 000 – 150 000 |
| "Mirror." | M777MM 99 | 200 000 – 400 000 |
| "Troika" | O333OO 777 | 300 000 – 600 000 |
| Low-numbered region | A001AAA02 | 100 000 – 250 000 |
| With a unique series | MIMM777 77 | 500 000 – 1 000 000+ |
Additional costs when buying rooms through re-registration of the car:
- 📝 State duty for the preservation of numbers - 2,000 rubles. (when the car is removed from the register).
- 🔄 Re-registration of TC - up to 5,000 rubles. (depending on the region).
- 🛡️ OSAGO insurance - from 3,000 rubles. (at the time of re-registration).
3. Step by step: how to buy a state number legally
If you decide to buy a room through a re-registration of the car, follow this algorithm:
- Find a seller. - Look for ads on Avito, Drom.ru or specialized forums (e.g., Numera.ru). Pay attention to the reviews and history of car ownership.
- Check the room history Ask the seller for a VIN and check it through DIBD or Autocode. Make sure that:
- 🚨 There are no restrictions on registration activities.
- 💰 No unpaid fines.
- 🔄 The car is not in pledge or leasing.
- Sign a contract of sale - specify in it a condition on the preservation of numbers for the buyer. Example of wording:
"The buyer retains the state registration plates [number] when removing the vehicle from the register". - Remove the car from the register with the preservation of numbers - submit a statement to the traffic police (personally or through Public services). It will require:
- 📄 Passport.
- 📄 A contract of sale.
- 📄 PTS and CTS.
- 💳 Receipt on payment of the state duty (2000 rubles).
☑️ What to check before buying a state number
⚠️ Attention: If the seller offers to “bypass” the traffic police and just hand over the numbers to you without re-registration – this is fraud. Such numbers will be listed with the former owner, and you will be fined for driving with someone else's signs (a fine of 5,000 rubles). on the 12.2 Administrative Code.
4. Alternative ways to get a beautiful state number
Buying rooms through re-registration of the car is not the only option. Let’s look at the legal alternatives:
- 🏆 Auctions of the traffic police Some regions (for example, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar Territory) hold auctions for the sale of “beautiful” rooms. The starting price is from 10 000 rubles, but popular combinations go for 200-300 thousand. rub. Follow the announcements on the site GABD.
- 🎲 Random selection when registering When registering a new car, you will be offered 3 random combinations. You can refuse and try to get the number later (sometimes you come across good options).
- 🔄 Exchange of numbers with another owner - if you have a standard number, and someone has a "beautiful", you can exchange through the traffic police (paying a state duty of 2,000 rubles). for re-registration.
The advantage of traffic police auctions is the guarantee of legality and the absence of risks with the history of the number. For example, in 2023 at the auction in Moscow number AAA777 I was paid for 1.2 million rubles, and MMM999 - for 850,000. rub. Participation in the auction is only available to individuals registered in the same region as the room.
How to participate in the auction of traffic police?
1. Register on the website GABD or public services. 2. Pay the deposit (usually 5-10% of the starting price). 3. Apply for participation in the selected auction. 4. Make a bet at the appointed time (the auction is held online). 5. If you win, pay the full cost and get a number in the traffic police.
5. Risks of buying state rooms: what to pay attention to
When buying rooms in the secondary market, you may encounter the following problems:
- 🚔 Numbers wanted. If the previous owner committed an offence and fled, the numbers may be in the wanted database. Check through. DIBD.
- 💸 Unpaid fines - the debts on fines pass to the new owner of the rooms. Check the history through fine-service.
- 📛 Fake numbers. Fraudsters may sell copies or numbers from other machines. Always demand the original PTS and CTS.
- 🔒 Restrictions on registration activities If the car is under bail or arrest, you will not be able to keep the numbers.
How to minimize the risks:
- Check the history of the room through Autocode or GABD.
- Require the seller a full package of documents (PTS, CTS, contract of sale).
- Make a transaction through a notary or in the presence of a lawyer.
- Pay for the purchase by non-cash payment (to keep the history of payment).
⚠️ Attention: If after buying the numbers you find that they are listed for another car, immediately contact the traffic police. Use of other people's numbers is punishable by a fine of 5,000 rubles. or deprivation of rights for 1-3 months (art. 12.2 Administrative Code.
6. Can I sell the state number back?
Yes, you can sell the saved numbers, but only through re-registration The new owner. For this:
- Find a buyer who is ready to buy a car with your license plates.
- Sign a contract of sale with the condition of saving the numbers for the buyer.
- Remove the car from the register in the traffic police, indicating in the statement that the numbers remain with the buyer.
The cost of your rooms for resale will depend on:
- 📈 Demand for combination Mirror or triple numbers are always more expensive.
- 📍 Region Moscow and St. Petersburg rooms are selling faster.
- 🕒 Term of tenure If the numbers are new (issued less than a year ago), their price is higher.
Example: number K777KK 77, bought for 200 000 rubles., after 2 years you can sell for 250-300 000 rubles., if it remained in demand. However, keep in mind that with each re-registration, the price of rooms increases due to additional costs for state duties and insurance.
Sale of license plates is always a re-registration of the car. Without a car, the numbers have no legal force and cannot be sold.
7. Frequent mistakes when buying a license plate
Even experienced car owners make mistakes when buying rooms. Here are the most common:
- 📄 Buying without history check Many people don’t check numbers for penalties or restrictions and then run into problems.
- 💰 Payment in cash without receipt If the seller disappears, it will be difficult to prove the fact of transferring the money.
- 🔄 Ignoring re-registration - some try to "re-glue" the numbers without contacting the traffic police, which leads to fines.
- 🚗 Purchase of rooms with a car pledged These numbers cannot be saved when re-registered.
How to avoid mistakes:
Always check:
- Room history through GABD or Autocode.
- authenticity of the PTS (must be original, without corrections).
No debts due to fines (through fine-service).
Legal purity of the transaction (better through a notary).
FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions
🔹 Can I buy a license plate without a car?
No, that's impossible. All registration numbers are tied to the vehicle and are issued only when registered. Buying clean rooms without a car is a scam.
🔹 How much does it cost to save the numbers when selling a car?
State duty for the preservation of numbers when removing the car from the register - 2,000 rubles. Additionally, payment for re-registration of a new vehicle (up to 5 000 rubles) may be required.
🔹 Can I return the numbers if they are “problematic”?
If the numbers are wanted or have unpaid fines, you can:
- Contact the traffic police to cancel the registration.
- To sue the seller (if the contract had a condition about the "purity" of the numbers).
However, it will be difficult to return the money – it is better to check the numbers carefully before buying.
🔹 What rooms can not be bought or sold?
It is forbidden to sell:
- Numbers of special vehicles (ambulance, police, Ministry of Emergency Situations).
- Numbers with symbols that do not correspond to the GOST (for example, with Latin letters instead of Cyrillic).
- The numbers are wanted.
- Numbers linked to stolen or arrested vehicles.
🔹 Can I order a personal number?
There is no service for ordering personal numbers in Russia (as in some European countries). The only legal way to get the desired combination is to participate in traffic police auctions or search for it on the secondary market.