Purchasing a vehicle is always associated with many organizational issues, among which the fate of old state registration plates (GRP) is not the least important. Many owners get used to their “thieves” or just a beautiful number and do not want to part with it when switching to a new car. The legislation of the Russian Federation makes it possible to solve this problem, but the procedure requires strict adherence to regulations and time frames.
Process saving license plates became much easier after the introduction of electronic registers and digitalization of Ministry of Internal Affairs services. Now you don’t need to physically take the removed signs to the garage; you just need to fill out the application correctly and wait for the changes to be made to the database. However, there are many nuances, ignoring which can lead to denial of service or loss of the desired combination of numbers and letters.
In this article, we will look in detail at how to legally reserve plates when selling a car, how much it costs, and what deadlines are established for storing reserved plates. You'll learn about the differences in procedures across different regions and see if it's worth the gamble if you plan to change vehicles frequently.
Legislative framework and possibility of preservation
The right of the vehicle owner to retain the state registration number is enshrined in the administrative regulations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. According to the current rules, when selling a car, the owner can initiate the procedure for reserving the GRZ for subsequent installation on another vehicle that belongs to him. This means that transfer of numbers to another person (for example, to the buyer of your car or a relative) directly through the traffic police database is impossible without the formal purchase and sale of a car with these numbers.
The key condition is that the car must be registered with the traffic police. If you are planning a sale, you need to contact the registration department in advance, before signing the purchase and sale agreement (SPA) and the actual transfer of ownership rights. Only in this case the numbers will be “unlinked” from the car being sold and placed in the registry for storage.
There is an important nuance regarding the regional affiliation of codes. If you keep a number with a region code different from the region of your current registration (registration in your passport), you can still keep the marks. However, when registering a new car in another region, questions may arise about code compliance, although legislation is gradually moving away from strictly linking the region code to the owner’s registration, allowing you to keep “beautiful” numbers when changing place of residence.
⚠️ Attention: The procedure for saving license plates is available only to the owner of the vehicle. If the car is registered to a legal entity, the process is initiated by a company representative by proxy, and the numbers are retained by the organization, and not by a specific employee.
It is worth noting that the legislation does not limit the number of times you can save plates, but each time the procedure requires going through a full cycle: deregistration, storage, installation on a new car. This makes the process somewhat bureaucratic, but quite feasible if you have the time and desire.
Step-by-step procedure for removing numbers for storage
In order to successfully reserve a state registration plate, it is necessary to perform a number of sequential actions. The first step is to collect the necessary package of documents. You will need: a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, PTS (vehicle passport), STS (vehicle registration certificate) and the license plates themselves in proper condition. If numbers are damaged, corroded or have defects, they may not be accepted for storage, requiring prior production of duplicates.
Next, you need to make an appointment at any registration and examination unit of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate (MREO). It is important to understand that the connection to your place of residence has been abolished when submitting an application to save your numbers - you can contact any convenient branch. An application for registration actions is filled out on site, where the desire is indicated in the appropriate field keep the state registration plate.
After checking the documents and inspecting the car (in some cases it is required, but often checking the documents is sufficient if there are no suspicions of design changes), the inspector removes the old license plates and STS. In return, you will be given a new STS with new numbers (if you receive them right away) or simply a confirmation of acceptance of the signs for storage. In fact, a record is made in the database that a specific GRZ is reserved for you.
☑️ Documents and actions to save
Physically, plates with numbers in some branches may be left in your hands, but in the database they will be listed as “in storage.” However, the practice varies: in some regions the signs are required to be handed over, in others they are left to the owner. Check this point with the inspector to avoid misunderstandings when trying to install them on a new car.
Shelf life and financial costs
One of the most important issues for car owners is the period for which they can leave the license plates. According to the latest changes in legislation, the shelf life of a state registration plate is 360 days (previously this period was 180 days, then it was increased). This time is counted from the moment the application is submitted to the traffic police.
If during this period you do not have time to purchase a new car and install the saved numbers on it, they will “burn out”. This means that the combination of letters and numbers will return to the general pool of available numbers and can be given to another person. It will be impossible to restore them after 360 days.
The financial side of the issue consists of several government duties. You do not have to pay for the “preservation” service itself, but you do pay for the administrative actions associated with the issuance of new documents. In particular, we are talking about issuing a new STS and making changes to the PTS (if it is paper). If you immediately receive new hardware for an old car, their production is also paid for.
Below is a table with the approximate amounts of state fees that are current at the moment. It is worth considering that rates may be indexed, so before visiting the traffic police it is recommended to check the current amounts.
| Type of service | Cost (RUB) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance of a new STS | 500 | Required when changing numbers |
| Making changes to the PTS | 350 | For paper PTS |
| Issuance of new license plates | 2000 | If the old ones are returned or damaged |
| Saving a number | 0 | There is no separate duty |
⚠️ Attention: Payment of state fees must be made before submitting documents. Payment receipts can be obtained at the traffic police department or generated through the State Services portal, where there is often a discount (although recently the possibility of receiving a discount through the portal has been limited).
Installing saved numbers on a new car
When you have purchased a new (for you) car, it is time to “activate” the reserved number. The procedure is carried out at any traffic police department, regardless of where the car was initially registered. The main condition is that you must be the owner of a new vehicle and have a valid STS and PTS in your name.
The installation process is as follows: you submit an application for registration actions, indicating that you want to use the previously saved state registration plate. The inspector checks the database, makes sure that the storage period (360 days) has not expired, and that the number is actually reserved for you. After this, the old signs (if they were handed in) are removed from the archive, or you are allowed to use the ones you have in your hands (if they were left).
It is important to ensure that the type of number stored matches the type of the new vehicle. For example, motorcycle license plates cannot be installed on a passenger car, and vice versa. There are also restrictions on the format: square numbers (for Japanese cars) require an appropriate installation location or special frames, which must be taken into account during inspection.
What to do if numbers are lost during storage?
In rare cases, when government agencies lose documents or signs, the responsibility lies with the department. However, if you kept the numbers in your hands and lost them, it will be difficult to restore this particular physical combination - you will have to write an application for the issuance of duplicates or new signs, which can lead to the loss of a “beautiful” combination if it has already gone into circulation.>
After successful verification, you will be given a new STS with your “old-new” number and changes will be made to the PTS. From this moment on, you can again legally operate the car with the desired combination of symbols. Please note that if you bought a car with license plates, you must first remove them (hand them over to the traffic police) before installing your saved ones.
Technical requirements and condition of signs
When handing over license plates for storage and their subsequent installation, traffic police inspectors pay attention to the physical condition of the plates. According to GOST R 50577-2018, state registration plates must be clean, readable and free of damage that impedes identification. If your numbers have through corrosion, peeling of reflective film, creases or abrasion of paint, the inspector has every right to refuse to accept them for storage or installation.
In such a situation, you will be asked to make duplicate numbers. This can be done in specialized organizations that have a license to manufacture gas protection devices. Duplicates must fully match the originals in font, size and material. Use of homemade or unlicensed copies is prohibited and may result in a fine.
Particular attention should be paid to fastenings. If you plan to change numbers frequently, it makes sense to purchase quality frames that will not damage the edges of the sign when removing and installing. Damage to the mounting holes can also become a formal reason for refusal of registration.
It's also worth remembering about regional codes. If you change your region of registration, you usually still have the old numbers with a different region code (provided that they were installed before the change of registration or were saved earlier). However, if you buy a car in another region and want to immediately install your saved plates, make sure that the format of the plate (region code) does not contradict the current rules of transit transportation or temporary registration, although since 2020 the link to the region of registration when issuing plates to the traffic police has softened.
Common problems and ways to solve them
Despite its apparent simplicity, car owners often encounter technical and bureaucratic difficulties. One of the common problems is that the number in the database is “busy”. Sometimes it happens that due to operator errors or delays in updating data, a number is listed as free, although in fact it should be yours, or vice versa. In such cases, a written request is required to the management of the traffic police department to conduct an internal audit.
Another problem is related to the sale of a car “by proxy” or as part of complex trade-in schemes. If the car is pledged to the bank or has a lien attached to it arrest by bailiffs, any registration actions, including saving numbers, will be blocked. First you need to remove restrictions.
There are also cases when, when buying a used car, it turns out that the previous owner did not deregister the car, and the numbers are active in his name, although you already have the car. This creates the risk of receiving fines from cameras in the name of the former owner. Therefore, when purchasing, always check the status of the numbers and the fact of deregistration.
The solution to most problems is careful preparation of documents and preliminary verification of the car and owner through online services of the traffic police and collateral registries. It would be a good idea to make copies of all submitted applications with an acceptance mark.
Comparison of options: leave or get new ones
Is the game worth the candle? The decision to keep the numbers depends on your personal attachment to the combination and practicality. On the one hand, a beautiful number can be an element of image or simply pleasing to the eye. On the other hand, the procedure requires time, trips to the traffic police and small financial costs.
If you change your car every 3-5 years, it may be easier to get new random plates each time. But if you often change cars or the number has sentimental value for you (for example, year of birth, name, significant date), then the storage service is indispensable. In addition, “thieves” plates on the secondary market can cost hundreds of thousands of rubles, so the opportunity to keep them for free (paying only state fees) looks very attractive.
It is also important to consider the psychological aspect. A familiar license plate reduces stress when driving a new, still unfamiliar car. You are not distracted by memorizing a new combination of symbols, which is especially important in the first days of operation.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to sell a saved license plate separately from the car?
No, Russian legislation prohibits the sale of state registration plates as an independent asset. The number can only be transferred along with the car on which it is installed, or retained by the owner. Any schemes for “selling license plates” are semi-legal and are based on the temporary sale of a car with a license plate, which carries risks for both parties.
What happens if I don’t have time to put license plates on my car within 360 days?
If the storage period expires, your number will automatically become available. You will no longer have a priority right to it. You will only be able to purchase it in the general manner if you accidentally get it during registration, which is extremely unlikely for popular combinations.
Do I need to take the car to the traffic police to save the license plates?
In most cases, an inspection of the vehicle (verification of VIN numbers and units) while maintaining the numbers is not required if the owner or the main characteristics do not change. However, the rules may vary depending on the specific department and internal instructions at the time of application. Submitting documents by the owner is often sufficient.
Is it possible to save the number if the car is stolen or wanted?
No, if registration restrictions are imposed on the car (theft, search, arrest), any operations with license plates are impossible until these restrictions are lifted.