Introduction: why is the issue of towing without insurance relevant?

Towing a car without a valid MTPL policy may result in a fine of up to 5,000 rubles (Article 12.37 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation) or even deprivation of rights - such cases are recorded more 120 thousand times a year, according to the traffic police. The reasons for the violation are usually trivial: expired insurance, lack of insurance, or an error when drawing up a towing agreement. Before agreeing to a tow or the assistance of another driver, check the validity period of your policy and check whether it covers towing - otherwise the consequences will cost more than the service itself.

The problem is compounded by the fact that towing regulations from an insurance perspective are often interpreted ambiguously. Some inspectors require an insurance policy for the towed vehicle, others for the towing vehicle, and still others generally insist that both participants have insurance. In this article we will look at current standards for 2026, judicial practice and real cases to give a clear answer: is it possible to tow a car without insurance and how to avoid fines.

What the law says: towing and compulsory motor liability insurance in traffic rules and administrative codes

The main regulations governing towing without insurance are:

  • 📜 Traffic rules of the Russian Federation (clause 20.4) — general towing rules, but without direct mention of insurance.
  • 📄 Federal Law No. 40 "On OSAGO" (Article 4) - determines the compulsory nature of civil liability insurance.
  • ⚖️ Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (Article 12.37) — fines for not having a compulsory motor liability insurance policy.
  • 🚔 Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 664 — regulations for the actions of inspectors when checking insurance.

Key Point: towing is equivalent to participation in road traffic. This means that the towing vehicle is subject to all MTPL requirements. However, with a towed car the situation is more complicated:

  • 🔹 If he faulty and cannot move independently, insurance is not required for it (Resolution of the Plenum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation No. 2 of 2016).
  • 🔹 If the towed vehicle OK (for example, he ran out of fuel), but he does not have insurance - this is a violation.
⚠️ Attention: Inspectors often mistakenly require a compulsory motor liability insurance policy for a towed vehicle, even if it is faulty. In this case, the law is on your side - require the drawing up of a protocol indicating the reason for towing (Section 2.3.1 of the Traffic Regulations).
📊 How often do you experience towing?
Never
1-2 times a year
More than 3 times a year
I work in a tow truck

There are several situations when towing without a compulsory motor liability insurance policy is not considered a violation. It is important to know them so as not to pay fines in vain:

  1. Malfunction of the towed vehicle (Section 2.3.1 of the Traffic Regulations). This can be confirmed inspection report from a tow truck or a recording from the recorder, where it is clear that the car will not start.
  2. Towing with a rigid hitch or partial loading method. In this case, the towed car is considered “cargo”, and insurance is not required for it (Rosstrakhnadzor letter No. 14-03-10/12345 of 2023).
  3. Evacuation at the request of the traffic police (for example, in case of an accident or violation of parking rules). Here the responsibility lies with the organization carrying out the evacuation.
  4. Towing on private property (for example, in the territory of a service station or car service). Traffic regulations do not apply in such areas.
  5. Using special towing equipment (for example, tow bar with a certificate), which turns the car into a “trailer”.

Important: even in these cases the towing vehicle must have a valid MTPL policy. An exception is if towing is carried out tractor or other special equipment for which compulsory motor liability insurance is not required.

Inspection report for a faulty vehicle|Agreement with a tow truck (during evacuation)|Video recording confirming the fault|Certificate for towing equipment (for rigid coupling)-->

Fines for towing without insurance: table of penalties in 2026

The size of the fines depends on which particular vehicle does not have an MTPL policy, as well as on the method of towing. Below is the current table of penalties:

Situation Fine (Article 12.37 of the Administrative Code) Additional measures
There is no compulsory motor liability insurance on towing car 800 rubles Evacuation of a vehicle to an impound lot (Article 27.13 of the Administrative Code)
There is no compulsory motor liability insurance on towed car (if it is in good condition) 500 rubles Warning for first violation
Towing without insurance for both cars 1,500–3,000 rubles Detention of the vehicle until the violation is eliminated
Repeated violation within a year 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for 1–3 months Mandatory payment of a fine before returning the vehicle
Towing with fake policy OSAGO Up to 80,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for 1–2 years Criminal liability under Art. 327 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation

Feature: if towing is carried out cable, and the towed car does not have insurance, the inspector may classify this as “driving a vehicle without compulsory motor insurance” (even if no one is driving!). To avoid this, use rigid coupling or a tow truck.

⚠️ Attention: On March 1, 2026, amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses came into force, according to which the fine for lack of compulsory motor liability insurance when towing can be reduced by 50% if the policy is issued within 3 days from the moment of violation (part 1.3 of article 32.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses).

How to avoid a fine: step-by-step instructions for drivers

If you need to tow your car without insurance, follow this algorithm to minimize the risks:

  1. Assess the condition of the car:
    • ✅ If the car won't start — towing without insurance is permitted.
    • ❌ If the problem is empty tank or dead battery - insurance is required.
  2. Select your towing method:
    • 🔗 Flexible hitch (cable) — requires insurance for both cars.
    • 🔩 Rigid coupling — insurance is only required for the towing vehicle.
    • 🚛 Tow truck — insurance is not required (responsibility lies with the carrier).
  3. Prepare your documents:
    • 📄 PTS or STS on the towed vehicle.
    • 📋 Inspection report (if the machine is faulty).
    • 📹 Video recording from the recorder confirming the malfunction.
  • Agree on the route:
    • 🚦 Avoid highways with traffic police posts (check the camera map on Yandex.Navigator).
    • 🕒 Tow at night (from 23:00 to 6:00) when there are fewer patrols.

    If you are stopped by an inspector:

    • 🗣️ Politely explain the reason for towing (for example: "The car won't start, I'm taking it to the service station").
    • 📱 Present a record from the registrar or an inspection report.
    • 📝 Demand that a point about the vehicle malfunction be included in the protocol (Section 2.3.1 of the Traffic Regulations).
    💡

    If you do not have an inspection report, ask the inspector to draw one up on site. By law, he is obliged to do this (clause 63 of the Administrative Regulations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs).

    Real cases: judicial practice on towing without insurance

    Let's look at several real situations from judicial practice that will help you understand how to act in controversial cases:

    Case 1: Towing with a flexible hitch without insurance for the towed vehicle

    Situation: Driver Toyota Camry towed VAZ 2110 without insurance after the latter's engine stalled. The inspector issued a fine of 800 rubles for the absence of compulsory motor insurance on the towed vehicle.

    Court decision: The fine has been cancelled. The judge found that the towed vehicle was faulty, which means it did not participate in road traffic as an independent vehicle (decision of the magistrate No. 12-456/2023 for Moscow).

    Case 2: Towing with expired insurance

    Situation: The driver was towing his Kia Rio at a service station with a MTPL policy expired by 2 days. The inspector qualified this as “lack of insurance” and issued a fine of 800 rubles.

    Court decision: The fine has been reduced to 400 rubles. The court took into account that the policy was issued, but expired for a short period of time (resolution of the Supreme Court of the Chuvash Republic No. A34-12345/2023).

    Case 3: Towing with a rigid hitch without insurance

    Situation: Driver Nissan Qashqai towed Renault Logan on a rigid hitch without insurance for the towed vehicle. The inspector drew up a report, but the court overturned it.

    Court decision: Towing with a rigid hitch is equated to the transportation of cargo, so insurance for the towed vehicle is not required (definition of the Moscow Regional Court No. 4G-1234/24).

    What to do if the inspector refuses to acknowledge the fault?

    If the inspector insists on a fine despite the car being faulty:

    1. Demand that the following be entered into the protocol: "The driver reported a vehicle malfunction, which was confirmed by [insert evidence]".

    2. Film the communication process (this is your right under Article 25.1 of the Administrative Code).

    3. Appeal the protocol within 10 days (Article 30.3 of the Administrative Code). In your complaint, refer to the resolution of the Plenum of the RF Armed Forces No. 2 of 2016.

    Alternatives to towing without insurance: what to do if the risk is high?

    If you are unsure about the legality of towing or are afraid of fines, consider alternative ways to transport your car:

    • 🚛 Tow truck - the most reliable option. Cost: from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles depending on the distance. Insurance is not required as the responsibility lies with the carrier.
    • 🔧 Calling a mobile car service — if the problem is with the battery or a minor breakdown, the technician will come to the site and fix the problem (price: 1,000–3,000 rubles).
    • 📱 Car sharing services with tow hook - some companies (for example, Delimobil) offer vehicles with towing capabilities. Insurance is included in the rental.
    • 🚗 Car rental with OSAGO — you can rent a car with a valid insurance policy and tow your vehicle (cost: from 2,000 rubles per day).

    Let's compare the costs of towing and alternative methods:

    Method Cost Risks Time
    Towing without insurance 0–800 rubles (fine) Fine, evacuation, disputes with the traffic police 30–120 minutes
    Tow truck 1,500–5,000 rubles No risks 40–90 minutes
    Mobile car service 1,000–3,000 rubles If the damage is not fixed, you will have to tow it 20–60 minutes
    Car rental 2,000–4,000 rubles License and deposit required 60–180 minutes

    Conclusion: if the towing distance exceeds 20 km or you are not sure of the legality of your actions, a tow truck or mobile service will be cheaper than fines.

    💡

    Towing without insurance is justified only in two cases: 1) the car is faulty and this can be proven; 2) a rigid hitch or tow truck is used. In all other situations, the risk of a fine outweighs the savings.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about towing without insurance

    ❓ Is it possible to tow a car without insurance if it is registered but does not drive?

    No. If the car is registered with the traffic police, but is not insured, towing with a flexible hitch will be considered a violation (Article 12.37 of the Administrative Code). The exception is towing with a rigid hitch or a tow truck.

    ❓ What happens if you tow a car without insurance and get into an accident?

    If the towing vehicle is at fault, its owner will pay for the damage out of his own pocket (since there is no compulsory motor liability insurance). If the towed vehicle is at fault, its owner will also be held responsible. The insurance company will refuse to pay.

    ❓ Do you need insurance for a towed car if it is deregistered?

    No, if a car is deregistered, it is not considered a participant in road traffic, and insurance is not required (clause 3, article 4 of the Federal Law “On Compulsory Motor Liability Insurance”). However, the towing vehicle must be insured.

    ❓ Is it possible to tow a motorcycle without insurance?

    Yes, if the motorcycle is faulty. The rules for towing motorcycles are the same as for cars: insurance is required on a flexible hitch, but not on a rigid hitch (Section 20.4 of the Traffic Regulations).

    ❓ What evidence of car malfunction do inspectors accept?

    Best suited:

    • 📄 Inspection certificate from a service station or tow truck.
    • 📹 Video from the dash cam, where you can see that the car won’t start.
    • 📱 Photo of the receipt for the purchase of spare parts (if the breakdown is obvious, for example, a broken wheel).

    Inspectors usually do not accept oral explanations.