Is it possible to buy license plates of another region for a car - legal methods and pitfalls

Question about purchasing state registration plates (GRZ) another region worries many car owners - from those moving for permanent residence to those who want to hide their real place of residence or avoid regional restrictions. Since 2020, the rules for issuing license plates in Russia have undergone changes, and now the procedure has become both simpler and stricter. But what does the law actually say? Is it possible buy numbers from another region legally, and what risks are fraught with “gray” schemes?

In this article we will analyze all the nuances: from official methods of obtaining numbers in another constituent entity of the Russian Federation to the consequences of using counterfeit or purchased “left” signs. You will learn how the traffic police license plate distribution system works, what documents are required, and why some car owners are willing to pay for regional numbers to another person. And also alternative options that will help solve the problem without breaking the law.

Spoiler: You literally cannot buy numbers from another region - They are issued only by the traffic police. But there are legal and semi-legal schemes that are worth knowing about.

Why do car owners want license plates from a different region?

The motives for obtaining numbers outside of your place of residence vary - from completely harmless to dubious. Here are the most common reasons:

• 🚗 Moving to another city — if you have not yet managed to change your registration, but are already living in a new place, the numbers of the old region may raise questions from inspectors.
• 📜 Avoiding regional restrictions - for example, in Moscow and St. Petersburg there are rules for non-resident cars (platon, ecological zones).
• 💰 Saving on insurance - in some regions CASCO or OSAGO are cheaper, and owners are trying to “get attached” to them.
• 🔍 Hiding real location - for example, to complicate the search for a car in the traffic police databases.
• 🚨 Bypassing restrictions — for example, if limited entry is introduced for cars with license plates of a certain region (as was the case with Kalmyk license plates in the 2020s).

Some car owners believe that license plates from a different region give the car “status” or help them avoid parking fines. However none of these motives are legitimate grounds to obtain numbers not at the place of registration.

Legislative framework: what does the traffic police say?

From January 1, 2020, it is valid in Russia Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 605, which regulates the issuance of state registration plates. According to this document:

• 📋 Numbers are issued at the place of registration of the vehicle, and not according to the owner's registration.
• 🔄 The car owner can choose your own region for license plates, but only if the car is registered in this region.
• 🚫 Prohibited use numbers that do not correspond to the data in the STS (vehicle registration certificate).

This means that if your car is registered in Moscow region, you cannot legally get numbers for it, for example, Krasnodar region, if you do not re-register the car in this region.

However, there is a loophole: from 2020 you can choose any free license plate from the traffic police database, if he is not busy. That is, you can get a “beautiful” number with a different region code, but only if it not tied to a specific car in the database.

How to legally obtain numbers from another region?

There are two legal ways to get numbers with the code of another subject of the Russian Federation:

1. Re-registration of a car in another region — to do this, you need to temporarily or permanently register at your new place of residence and submit documents to the local traffic police department.
2. Selecting a free license plate — if the traffic police database has an unoccupied number with the required regional code, you can request it when registering or replacing signs.

Let's consider both options in more detail.

1. Re-registration of a car in another region

This is the most reliable, but also the most time-consuming method. You will need:

Original and copy of owner's passport

Vehicle Registration Certificate (CTC)

PTS (vehicle passport)

OSAGO policy (current)

Receipt of payment of the state duty (2,000 rubles for new numbers, 850 rubles for changes to the STS)

Document confirming registration at the new place of residence (temporary or permanent registration)

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The procedure takes from 1 to 3 days, if all documents are in order. New plates will be issued with the region code where you registered the car.

⚠️ Attention: If you re-register a car using a temporary registration, after its expiration you will have to either renew the registration or return the car to its previous license plates.

2. Selecting a free license plate

Since 2020, the traffic police has implemented a system "License plate management", which allows car owners to choose free combinations. You can:

• 🔢 Request any free number from the database (including codes of other regions).
• 🔄 Change old plates to new ones with a different regional code (if they are not tied to the car).

To do this you need:

1. Make an appointment at the traffic police department via State Services portal.
2. Pay the state fee (RUB 2,000 for new numbers).
3. Come to the department with documents and choose a free room from those offered.

⚠️ Attention: Even if you receive numbers with a different area code, STS and PTS The real region of vehicle registration will be indicated. This may raise questions from traffic police inspectors.

Method of obtaining	Legality	Cost	Deadlines	Risks
Re-registration in another region	Legally	2,000–3,000 rub. (state duties)	1–3 days	Registration required, changes to STS
Selecting a free number	Legally	2,000 rub.	1 day	There may be questions from the traffic police
Buying numbers "from hand"	Illegally	5,000–50,000 rub.	1 day	Fine up to 5,000 rubles, confiscation of license plates
Production of fake license plates	Criminal liability	3,000–10,000 rub.	2–5 days	Deprivation of rights, fine up to 80,000 rubles.

Risks of buying license plates second-hand or counterfeit signs

Many car owners are looking for a “simple” way - to buy license plates of another region from third parties. On Avito, in telegram channels and “gray” car services they offer:

• 🔄 “Used license plates” - supposedly taken from another car.
• 🔧 “Custom numbers” - made according to your wishes.
• 📄 “Documents included” - with fake STS or PTS.

But such schemes are fraught with serious consequences:

⚠️ Attention: The use of foreign or fake numbers is classified as administrative violation (Article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation) and is punishable by a fine of up to 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights to 1–3 months. If the numbers are fake, this is already criminal liability (Article 327 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) with a fine of up to 80,000 rubles.

In addition, buying numbers “from hand” can result in:

• 🚨 Seizure of the car - if the numbers are wanted.
• 🔍 Problems when selling a car — the new owner will not be able to re-register the vehicle.
• 💸 Additional costs - for a lawyer, fines, new numbers.

What happens if you buy numbers with a “bad” history?

If the plates you purchased were previously used on a stolen car, a car with unpaid fines, or a vehicle involved in an accident, you automatically become a “suspect” in the eyes of the traffic police. You may be stopped more often, your documents checked more thoroughly, and in the worst case, your car may be detained for a database check.

Alternative options: how to do without changing numbers?

If your goal is to stay legal but still avoid problems with regional restrictions, consider these options:

• 📌 Temporary registration in another region — obtain a residence permit for 3–12 months and re-register the car.
• 🚘 Rent a car with the required license plates - if we are talking about a short trip.
• 💳 Registration of an electronic pass — for entry into cities with restrictions (for example, to Moscow according to new rules in 2026).
• 🔄 Re-registering a car to a relative - if he has a residence permit in the desired region.

For example, if you need Moscow numbers For unhindered entry into the capital, you can:

1. Apply for temporary registration in Moscow (through rental housing or relatives).
2. Re-register the car with the traffic police at a new address.
3. Get new numbers with code 77, 97, 99, 177, 197 or 199.

This will take about a week, but will eliminate the risks associated with buying “left” numbers.

Frequently asked questions about numbers in other regions

Let's look at the most popular questions that car owners have.

❓ Is it possible to drive with license plates from another region if the car is registered in my city?

No, this is a violation. According to clause 2 of the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 605, the numbers must correspond to the region of registration of the vehicle. If the STS indicates 50 (Moscow region), and there are license plates on the car 23 (Krasnodar region), the traffic police inspector has the right to issue a fine.

❓ What happens if you buy license plates secondhand and put them on your car?

This qualifies as driving a vehicle with unreadable or non-standard license plates (Article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). Fine - 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights to 1–3 months. If the numbers are fake, there will be criminal liability under Art. 327 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

❓ Is it possible to order numbers from another region through State Services?

No, through Public services You can only sign up for replacement plates at the traffic police. The choice of a specific license plate occurs at the department if there are free combinations.

❓ How much does it cost to legally replace numbers to another region?

The cost depends on the method:

• Replacing numbers without changing region — 2,000 rub. (state duty).
• Re-registration in another region — 2,000–3,000 rub. (state fees + possible expenses for temporary registration).

❓ Which regional codes are the most “popular” for purchase?

Most often they buy numbers with codes:

• 77, 97, 99 — Moscow (for prestige or bypassing restrictions).
• 78, 98, 178 — St. Petersburg.
• 161, 116 — Republic of Tatarstan (due to loyal registration rules).
• 23, 93, 123 — Krasnodar region (for tourist trips).

However, purchasing such numbers is illegal!

Conclusion: is it worth the risk?

Buying numbers from another region “from hand” or through dubious schemes is always a risk. Even if you are promised “clean” documents, there is no guarantee that:

• 🔍 Numbers are not wanted.
• 📄 They won’t be blocked in a month.
• 🚔 You will not be stopped or fined.

Legal ways - re-registration in another region or selecting a free number at the traffic police department - require time and effort, but save you from problems in the future. If your goal is simply to avoid regional restrictions, consider alternatives: temporary registration, electronic passes or car rental.

Remember: A license plate is not an accessory, but an official document, and any manipulation with it can result in serious consequences.