Is it possible to leave license plates of another region when registering a car with the traffic police?

From January 1, 2020, new rules for vehicle registration are in effect in Russia, which allow you to save state license plates with a code of another region when registering a car. However, in practice, owners are faced with nuances: refusals from the traffic police, demands to replace license plates, or the need to confirm registration. Let's figure out in what cases the law really allows you to keep your old numbers, and when you have to get new ones - with the current regional code.

Key Point: Saving numbers from another region is possible only if two conditions are met — no changes in the owner’s data (full name, registration address) and technical characteristics of the car. If at least one of these parameters has changed, the inspector has the right to demand the issuance of new signs. For example, when you change your registration or re-equip your car, the chances of keeping your old license plates are sharply reduced.

It is also important to take into account regional characteristics: in some regions of the Russian Federation (for example, Moscow and St. Petersburg), local regulations tighten the requirements. Therefore, even with formal compliance with federal rules, difficulties may arise. Next is a detailed analysis of all scenarios, step-by-step instructions for the traffic police and tips on how to act in case of failure.

Legislative framework: what the traffic police says about license plates in another region

The main document regulating the issue is Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 399 of June 26, 2018 (as amended in 2020). According to paragraph 33 of this order, when registering a vehicle License plates must be replaced only in three cases:

• 🔹 The owner's details have changed (full name, registration address).
• 🔹 Changes have been made to the design of the car (for example, gas equipment has been installed).
• 🔹 License plates have become unusable (damaged, unreadable).

In all other situations the inspector does not have the right to demand replacement of numbers - even if their regional code does not match the place where the car is registered. However, in practice, traffic police officers often refer to internal regulations or “recommendations” to insist on issuing new signs. This is illegal, but such a requirement can only be challenged through a complaint to the head of the unit or to the court.

Separately worth mentioning Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1764 of December 21, 2019, which secured the right of citizens to retain license plates when re-registering a car. The document directly states that the regional code on the signs is not a reason to replace them. An exception is if the owner himself expresses a desire to receive new numbers (for example, with the current region code).

When exactly can you keep old numbers from another region?

Yes four situations, in which the preservation of license plates with someone else's regional code is guaranteed by law:

1. Re-registration of a car to the same owner (for example, after purchasing a used car while retaining the previous owner in the title).
2. Change of place of residence without changing the data in the PTS (if you moved to another region, but did not make changes to the vehicle passport).
3. Recovering lost or damaged numbers — in this case, duplicates will be issued with the same regional code.
4. Registration after deregistration at the request of the owner (for example, after temporary termination of registration).

In all these cases the inspector obliged keep your old plates if you present them in acceptable condition. However, there is a nuance: if the car was deregistered due to disposal or export outside the Russian Federation, it will not be possible to return the previous license plates - they will be canceled automatically.

Case Study: Owner from Kazan (code 16) buys a car in Sochi (code 98) and registers it with the local traffic police. If no changes are made to the PTS (for example, the new owner does not change the registration address), he has the right to keep Sochi license plates. But if the inspector sees that the owner’s passport contains a Kazan registration, he may demand that the signs be replaced - although there is no legal basis for this.

When you have to get new numbers: exceptions and pitfalls

Despite the liberalization of the rules, there are 5 caseswhen saving old numbers is not possible:

Situation	Reason for changing numbers	Base
Change of owner with change of data in PTS	The new owner has a different registration or full name	Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399, paragraph 33
Changing the car design	Installation of gas equipment, color change, engine replacement	Technical regulations of the Customs Union
Lost or stolen numbers	Previous signs are canceled in the traffic police database	Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 605, paragraph 15
Re-registration by court decision	The court ordered the issuance of new numbers (for example, when dividing property)	Code of Civil Procedure of the Russian Federation, art. 213
Rooms are in poor condition	Damage, corrosion, unreadable characters	GOST R 50577-93

A particularly difficult situation arises when moving to Moscow or St. Petersburg. In these regions, local traffic police departments often refuse to store license plates with other codes, citing “internal instructions.” Formally, this is illegal, but you can challenge the refusal only through a complaint to the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the region.

Another pitfall - electronic registration of a car through the State Services portal. When registering remotely, the system automatically assigns license plates with the owner's registration region code. To save your old license plates, you will have to personally visit the traffic police department and write an application to preserve the signs.

Step-by-step instructions: how to save numbers of another region in the traffic police

To minimize the risk of failure, follow this algorithm:

1. Prepare documents:
   • 📄 Owner’s passport (original + copy).
   • 📄 PTS (if the car is not older than 15 years) or STS + registration certificate.
   • 📄 Purchase and sale agreement (if you bought the car).
   • 📄 Old license plates (must be clean and readable).
   • 📄 OSAGO policy (current).

Make an appointment at the traffic police department through Public services or by phone. Select a unit by location actual residence, not registration.

Please indicate in your application, that you ask to keep the previous license plates. Use the wording: "Please keep your current state registration plate [number] when registering".

If the inspector refuses require a written justification with reference to a specific clause of the regulatory act. If the grounds are illegal, file a complaint with the head of the department.

If you are registering a car in another region, but want to keep the numbers, do not show the inspector a passport with registration from another subject of the Russian Federation. It is enough to present a document confirming temporary registration at the place of application (for example, a rental agreement).

What to do if the traffic police refuse to leave your old license plates

If the inspector insists on changing numbers without legal grounds, proceed according to the following plan:

1. Request a written refusal indicating the reason and reference to the normative act. Often at this stage inspectors make concessions.
2. Write a complaint addressed to the head of the traffic police department. In the text refer to:
   • 📜 Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399 (clause 33).
   • 📜 Government Resolution No. 1764.
   • 📜 Article 19.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (arbitrariness).

Submit a complaint through the State Services portal or in person to the traffic police office. The review period is 30 days.

If the answer is no - go to court. Claims against the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate regarding vehicle registration are considered in a simplified manner (without state duty).

Example of a successful challenge: owner from Ekaterinburg (code 66) bought a car in Krasnodar (code 23) and tried to keep the Krasnodar license plates. The local traffic police refused him, citing “regional regulations.” After a complaint to the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Sverdlovsk Region, the decision was canceled and the car was registered with the old license plates.

Important: if you decide to sue, collect evidence:

• 📸 Photos of old license plates (proof of their good condition).
• 📄 A copy of the application with a request to preserve the signs.
• 🎥 Video recording of a conversation with the inspector (if he refuses verbally).

Sample complaint about refusal to save numbers

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Dear [full name of the head of the unit]!

I, [your full name], [date] contacted [name of traffic police department] to register a vehicle [make, model, VIN]. Inspector [full name] refused to retain the current state registration plates [number], citing [indicate the reason for the refusal].

Please note that according to Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 399 dated June 26, 2018 (clause 33), replacement of license plates during registration is not required if the owner’s data or the design of the vehicle have not changed. At the time of contact:

- The owner of the car has not changed (my full name is indicated on the title).

- The design of the vehicle has not undergone any changes.

- License plates are in satisfactory condition.

Based on the above, I request:

1. Cancel the refusal to save license plates [number].

2. Register the car while maintaining the current signs.

3. Take action against inspector [full name] for unlawful actions.

I am attaching to the complaint:

- A copy of your passport.

- A copy of the PTS/STS.

- Photos of license plates.

Please consider the complaint within the time limit established by law and report the results to [your address] or email [email].

[Date] [Signature]

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Fines and risks: what happens if you drive with old license plates illegally

If you saved numbers from another region in violation of the rules (for example, you hid a change in data in the PTS), you may be fined under several articles of the Code of Administrative Offenses:

• 🚨 Part 1 art. 12.2 Code of Administrative Offenses — management of vehicles with unreadable or non-standard license plates. Penalty: 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for 1–3 months.
• 🚨 Part 2 Art. 12.1 Code of Administrative Offenses — driving without registration (if the license plates do not match the data in the traffic police database). Penalty: 500–800 rubles.
• 🚨 Article 19.23 of the Code of Administrative Offenses — forgery of documents (if you provided false information to the traffic police). Fine: up to 80,000 rubles.

However, in practice, fines are rarely issued - only if a traffic police inspector discovers a discrepancy between the license plates on the car and the data in the traffic police database. To check if your numbers match the current registration, use car check service on the traffic police website. If the system shows that the car was registered with other signs, they will have to be replaced.

Another risk - problems with MTPL. Insurance companies may refuse to pay for an accident if the license plates on the car do not match the data in the policy. Therefore, after registration, be sure to check that the current registration plates are indicated in the electronic MTPL.

Regional features: where is it easier to save numbers, and where is it more difficult?

The practice of saving numbers from another region varies greatly depending on the subject of the Russian Federation. Here's a quick overview:

Region	Features	Risk of failure
Moscow and Moscow region	Moscow numbers are often required, even if the law does not provide for this. Refusals are disputed through the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Moscow.	High
St. Petersburg and Leningrad region	Similar to Moscow, but the courts often side with car owners.	High
Krasnodar region, Sochi	Loyal to tourists and temporary residents. They often allow you to save numbers.	Low
Tatarstan, Bashkortostan	Follow federal rules, but may require proof of temporary registration.	Medium
Far East (Primorye, Khabarovsk)	Minimal checks. The main thing is that the numbers are readable.	Low

B Moscow and St. Petersburg inspectors often justify the refusal by the fact that “numbers with someone else’s code complicate the search for a car in the database.” This is not true, since all data is stored in a single traffic police system, but such a decision can only be challenged through a complaint.

B southern regions (Krasnodar region, Crimea) and on Far East they are more loyal to keeping rooms - especially if the owner can confirm temporary registration or present a rental agreement. B Tatarstan and Bashkortostan it is important that the address in the PTS coincides with the place of registration - even if it is a temporary registration.

Frequently asked questions about saving numbers in another region

Is it possible to leave license plates from another region when buying a used car?

Yes, if the new owner does not change the data in the PTS (for example, leaves the previous registration address). If you make changes to the vehicle passport (for example, indicate your address), the inspector has the right to demand new license plates.

What should I do if my old numbers are lost but I want to keep my area code?

In this case, you can order duplicate numbers with the same area code. To do this, submit an application to the traffic police indicating the reason (“loss”) and attach documents for the car. If the region code is no longer used (for example, 77 for Moscow replaced by 97, 99, 177 etc.), you won’t be able to get a duplicate.

Is it possible to register a car with license plates of another region through State Services?

No. When registering remotely, the system automatically assigns license plates with a region code based on the owner's place of registration. To keep your old license plates, you will have to visit the traffic police in person.

Will there be problems with OSAGO if the numbers are left over from another region?

There will be no problems if the MTPL policy contains current registration plates. After registration, check the data in the electronic policy on the website RSA and update the information if necessary.

Is it possible to save numbers with a code? 77 (old Moscow), if they are issuing now 97, 99 etc?

Yes, if the numbers were issued before 2013 (when the code 77 was still in effect). The main thing is that they are in good condition and not listed as stolen. New numbers with code 77 They don’t issue them, but you can keep the old ones.