If a traffic police inspector has seized state registration plates from your car, Driving without license plates is strictly prohibited - this is a direct violation of paragraph 2 Basic provisions for the approval of vehicles for operation (Resolution No. 1090). Even a temporary absence of license plates is equivalent to driving a vehicle with unreadable or missing registration plates, which entails a fine of 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for 1–3 months (Article 12.2 of the Administrative Code). However, there are legal ways to travel in a car without license plates, such as obtaining a temporary permit or using a tow truck.
Number plates are confiscated for various reasons: from technical faults (for example, tinting is higher than normal) to administrative violations (unpaid fines, lack of compulsory motor insurance). Depending on the basis for the seizure, your further actions will also change. The main rule: as soon as the license plates are removed, the car is automatically considered unsuitable for driving on public roads - any trip without special permission is equivalent to driving a faulty vehicle.
In this article, we will look at the penalties for driving without license plates after seizure, how to obtain a temporary driving permit, and what to do if you urgently need to move your car. We will also explain why even a short trip “to the garage” can result in evacuation to an impound lot and additional costs of 10,000+ rubles.
Why numbers are confiscated: main reasons
The traffic police has the right to remove registration plates from a car in several cases, and each of them requires different actions on the part of the owner. Here are the most common reasons for withdrawal:
- 📜 Lack of a valid MTPL policy — if the insurance is expired or there is no insurance at all, the inspector can remove the license plates on the spot (Part 2 of Article 12.37 of the Administrative Code).
- 🔧 Technical problems, in which operation is prohibited: non-working brakes, steering, chips on the windshield in the driver’s viewing area (Appendix to the Traffic Regulations, clause 7.4).
- 🚫 Vehicle design inconsistency - for example, gas equipment has been installed without registration with the traffic police or the suspension has been changed.
- 💰 Unpaid fines over 10,000 rubles - from 2022 this is the basis for the seizure of license plates (Federal Law No. 437).
- 🔄 Fake or altered numbers — if the inspector suspects that the signs are not original, they are removed for inspection.
In most cases, the confiscation of numbers is accompanied by the drawing up of a protocol on an administrative violation. Important: if the numbers were removed due to a malfunction, you will be given 10 days to fix the problem (clause 3 of article 27.13 of the Administrative Code). If the defect is not corrected during this time, the car may be towed.
Fines for driving without license plates after seizure: what the Code of Administrative Offenses says
Driving a car without registration plates after their removal is classified as Part 2 of Article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The punishment depends on the circumstances:
| Violation | Fine | Additional measures |
|---|---|---|
| Driving without license plates (primary violation) | 5,000 rubles | — |
| Repeated violation within a year | Deprivation of rights for 1–3 months or a fine of 5,000 rubles (if recorded by a camera) | Evacuation to impound lot |
| Deliberate hiding of numbers (for example, folded corner) | 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for 1–3 months | Confiscation of numbers |
| Driving with fake license plates | Up to 80,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for 6–12 months | Criminal liability (Article 327 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) |
It is important to understand that even one trip without license plates to your home or service station is equivalent to a full violation. Traffic police inspectors actively patrol the roads, and security cameras automatically recognize the absence of signs. If you are stopped, you will not be able to avoid a fine - the only way out, if the license plates are confiscated for a technical reason, is to get temporary traffic permit (we'll talk about it below).
⚠️ Attention: If you have been deprived of your license for driving without license plates, you cannot drive the car even with a temporary permit. In this case, the vehicle must be driven by another driver with a valid driving license.
How to legally drive without license plates: temporary permit
The only legal way to drive a car without registration plates is to obtain temporary traffic permit (form No. 3). It is issued in the following cases:
- 🔧 If the numbers were confiscated due to technical malfunctionthat you are responsible for repairing (for example, a cracked windshield).
- 📄 If you re-register the car and expect new numbers.
- 🔄 If signs lost or damaged (for example, after an accident).
To obtain permission you need:
1. Vehicle owner’s passport
2. Vehicle registration certificate (VRC)
3. Protocol on seizure of numbers (if applicable)
4. Application on the traffic police form
5. Receipt for payment of state duty (800 rubles in 2026) -->
Temporary permit is valid 20 days — this time should be enough to eliminate the reason for the withdrawal of numbers. If the problem is not resolved, the permit can be extended for another 20 days, but no more than twice. Important: the permit is valid only on the territory of the Russian Federation and does not replace compulsory motor liability insurance - insurance must be taken out in any case.
If you urgently need to move your car to a service station or garage, but there is no temporary permit, the only legal option is transportation by tow truck. The cost of evacuation on average is 3,000–8,000 rubles, depending on the distance, but this is cheaper than a fine of 5,000 rubles + evacuation to the impound lot (another 3,000–5,000 rubles).
What to do if your license plates are confiscated for unpaid fines
From 2022, the traffic police has the right to remove registration plates from cars whose owners have unpaid fines in excess of 10,000 rubles (Federal Law No. 437). In this case, the algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Check all fines on the website traffic police or through Public services. Sometimes the database contains erroneous or expired decisions.
- Pay your debts — after paying off the fines, the numbers must be returned within 1 business day (in practice it can take up to 3 days).
- Get a certificate of no debt at the traffic police department or through Public services and present it to the inspector when returning the numbers.
If you do not agree with the fines, you can appeal them within 10 days from the date of receipt of the decision. To do this, you need to file a complaint with the court or a higher traffic police official. But: Until the fines are paid or cancelled, the numbers will not be returned to you.
⚠️ Attention: If you ignore the requirement to pay fines, in addition to confiscation of your license plates, you may be subject to special restrictions (for example, a ban on traveling abroad) or may be subject to bailiffs.
What to do if the fines are paid, but the numbers are not returned?
If, after paying fines, inspectors refuse to return registration plates, file a complaint addressed to the head of the local police department or the prosecutor's office. In your complaint please indicate:
- Date and place of withdrawal of numbers
- Numbers of receipts for payment of fines
- Full name and position of the inspector who refused the return
- Requirement to return signs within 3 days
Attach copies of receipts and seizure protocol. Usually after a complaint the issue is resolved within a week.
Is it possible to drive without a front or rear license plate?
No, even the absence of one registration plate is equivalent to the complete absence of license plates. According to paragraph 2 Basic provisions for the approval of vehicles for operation, the car must be equipped two registration plates (front and rear), if provided for by the design. The only exceptions are motorcycles and trailers - their number is attached only to the back.
If, for example, your rear license plate was stolen or it was damaged, you must:
- Immediately notify the traffic police of the loss/damage of the sign.
- Obtain a temporary traffic permit (for 5 days to make a duplicate).
- Order a new number from MREO - the cost of producing a duplicate in 2026 is 2,000 rubles (state duty).
Driving with one number plate is punishable in the same way as the complete absence of signs - a fine of 5,000 rubles. Security cameras easily recognize the absence of a front or rear license plate, so it’s not worth the risk.
What happens if you ignore the confiscation of numbers?
If you continue to drive without license plates after they have been confiscated, the consequences may be more serious than just a fine:
- 🚔 Evacuation to impound lot — the car will be taken away if the inspector considers that you create a danger for other road users. The cost of evacuation + storage is from 5,000 to 15,000 rubles.
- 📉 Increasing the cost of compulsory motor liability insurance — insurance companies consider fines for missing license plates as a gross violation, which can increase the CBM coefficient.
- 🚨 Car arrest — if you systematically ignore the requirements of the traffic police, the court may seize the vehicle until the violations are eliminated.
- 🔍 Checks on line "A" — with repeated violations, your car may be added to the database of “especially dangerous” vehicles, which will lead to frequent stops for inspection.
Also, if you get caught driving without license plates twice a year, you may be deprived of your license for up to 3 months. And if you drove a car while intoxicated without license plates, the imprisonment will be 1.5–2 years.
If you urgently need to move a car without license plates, use the services of a tow truck or rent a trailer for towing. This will cost less than a fine + evacuation to the impound lot.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about driving without license plates
Is it possible to drive without license plates if they are being re-issued?
No. If you remove plates to re-register a car (for example, when selling or changing ownership), you are required to obtain temporary traffic permit or transport the car on a tow truck. Driving without license plates even “for a day or two” is classified as a violation.
What to do if the license plates are confiscated for tinting?
You are given 10 days to eliminate the violation (remove tint). During this period, you can obtain a temporary driving permit. If you do not remove the tint, the license plates will not be returned, and the car may be towed.
Can license plates be confiscated for an overdue inspection?
No, license plates will not be confiscated for an overdue inspection, but you can be fined 2,000 rubles (Article 12.1 of the Administrative Code). However, if you do not have a valid MTPL along with the expired maintenance, this is already grounds for confiscating the signs.
How long are seized license plates kept by the traffic police?
Seized registration plates are stored in the traffic police 30 days. If during this time you have not eliminated the reason for the seizure (for example, you have not paid fines or have not removed the tint), the numbers may be destroyed. In this case, you will have to order duplicates.
Is it possible to return numbers if they were taken by mistake?
Yes. If you believe that the license plates were seized unlawfully (for example, the inspector made a mistake with the reason), you can appeal the decision within 10 days. To do this, file a complaint with the court or a higher traffic police official. While your complaint is being processed, you can request temporary permission to travel.
Driving without license plates after seizure is always a violation, which is punishable by a fine of 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights. The only legal way to get around is with a temporary permit or a tow truck. Don't take risks: fines, evacuation and problems with returning numbers will cost more than legal methods of transportation.