Purchasing a vehicle is always stressful, associated with finding a suitable model, checking its technical condition and bargaining. However, after signing the purchase and sale agreement, the new owner has another important question: what to do with the registration plates? Many car owners, especially those who are selling their previous car, want to keep “beautiful” or just familiar numbers. In 2026 the procedure saving license plates has undergone a number of changes aimed at digitalization and simplification of document flow.
The situation becomes even more interesting if you buy a car second-hand and want to keep the numbers that hang on it, or, conversely, plan to rehang your old signs on your new purchase. The legislation of the Russian Federation allows both scenarios to be implemented, but each of them requires strict compliance with the traffic police regulations. Incorrect sequence of actions can result in desirable letter and number combinations being thrown into the general pool, leaving you with standard characters with an area code that you may not want.
In this article, we will look in detail at how to correctly fill out an application for preservation, how much it costs, and what deadlines are established for the storage of signs by the state. You will learn how the procedure differs for individuals and legal entities, and also receive answers to questions about “mirror” numbers and features of registration through the State Services portal.
Legal framework and new rules for 2026
Regulation of vehicle registration issues in the Russian Federation is carried out on the basis of the Federal Law and relevant orders of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In 2026, the key document remains the Administrative Regulations, which have been significantly updated to integrate with a single digital platform. Saving license plates Now it is possible not only when there is a change of owner, but also when the place of registration of the owner changes, which gives more flexibility.
The most important change was the introduction of mandatory linking of the number to a specific region of registration of the owner. If you want to keep your old numbers, but at the same time changed your registration to another subject of the federation, the system will automatically check the compliance of the region code on the signs. Digital region code on the plates must match the code in the owner’s passport, except in cases where the number was obtained earlier and the law allows its preservation under certain conditions.
⚠️ Attention: If the region code on your old plates does not match the region of your current registration, you will be denied installation on your car, even if you are their owner. In this case, the numbers can be sent for storage, but you will be able to use them only after changing your registration or selling the car to the region of the corresponding code.
It is also worth noting that since 2026, the possibility of obtaining a paper vehicle registration certificate (VRC) at will has been abolished - now it is issued only in electronic form or in the form of a new plastic card. This indirectly affects the procedure for changing numbers, since all data is instantly updated in a single database traffic police.
The procedure for saving license plates when selling a car
If you are selling your vehicle and want to keep the registration plates attached to it for a future purchase, you will need to initiate the process of preserving them until the purchase agreement is signed. The first step is to submit an application to the registration office or through the government services portal. The application indicates a request for assigning new numbers the current car and keeping the old ones with the owner.
After submitting the application, the car must be inspected at the inspection site. Inspector checks compliance VIN code, engine and body numbers given in documents, and also verifies unit numbers. Only after successfully passing the inspection and paying state fees will you be given new registration plates and a new STS. The old numbers will remain in the database with you for a certain period.
☑️ Checklist for saving numbers
The period during which the state stores your numbers is 1 year from the date of their submission. During this period, you can buy a new car (or used) and write an application for the issuance of retained plates when registering. If you do not use your right within a year, the combination will be automatically canceled and returned to circulation for issuance to other citizens.
How to leave license plates when buying a used car
The scenario when you buy a used car and want to keep the numbers that are already installed on it is the simplest and most common. According to current rules, when changing ownership, a vehicle is not required to change state license plates if they meet the requirements (readable, have the correct region code and are not on the wanted list).
When registering such a car with the traffic police, you simply indicate in the application your desire save current numbers. In this case, you do not need to pay a state fee for issuing new registration plates, which allows you to save a significant amount. You only pay for the issuance of a new STS and making changes to the PTS (if it is paper) or recording in the EPTS.
However, there are exceptions when replacement of signs is required even if the buyer wishes to keep them:
- 🚗 License plates are damaged, erased or have defects that prevent them from being read by cameras or visually.
- 📜 The region code on the numbers does not correspond to the region of registration of the new owner (unless the numbers belong to the category saved when changing registration, which is rare).
- 🚫 The signs are listed on the federal wanted list or were listed on a stolen car.
- 🏁 The marks belong to the “AMP” series or other special series not intended for free sale and transfer to private individuals.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to align or paint over erased numbers on the numbers yourself. Such actions are equivalent to counterfeiting state symbols and entail criminal liability. If the numbers are damaged, ask the seller for a replacement before the transaction.
Helpful advice: Before going to the traffic police, take pictures of the license plates from different angles in good lighting. This will help prove their integrity and legibility if the inspector has doubts at the inspection site.
Installing saved numbers on a new car
When you purchase a new car from a dealership or another vehicle, and you have your own license plates in the custody of the traffic police, the procedure for installing them is standard. When submitting documents to register a new car, you declare your desire to appropriate saved registration plates.
The inspector checks the database, makes sure that the storage period for your numbers has not expired and they have not been cancelled. After this, the documents of the new car will indicate exactly those combinations that you saved.
The process looks like this:
- You buy a car and receive a package of documents (DCP, PTS, STS of the previous owner or an acceptance certificate).
- Submit an application for registration, indicating information about the saved numbers.
- You pay the state fee for issuing the STS and recording it in the PTS (the fee for the signs themselves is not charged, since they have already been paid earlier).
- After receiving the documents, you hang your old license plates on the car.
The main advantage of saving license plates is the ability to drive a car with a familiar and favorite combination of symbols, without depending on the randomness of issuance during registration.
Cost of services and state fees
The financial side of the issue plays an important role when deciding whether to change or maintain numbers. In 2026, tariffs were indexed, and the cost of traffic police services is as follows. It is worth noting that prices may vary depending on the type of vehicle and the material used to make the signs (for example, for motorcycles or trailers).
Below is a table with the current amounts of state duties for passenger cars:
| Type of service | Duty amount (RUB) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance of new license plates | 2 000 | When numbers are changed or lost |
| Issuance of a new STS | 1 500 | Plastic card or electronic |
| Making changes to the PTS | 350 | Only for paper PTS |
| Saving numbers (storage) | Free | There is no state duty for the fact of storage |
| Issuing saved numbers | 2 000 | In fact, payment for issuing a sign |
Thus, if you buy a car and leave its license plates, you only pay for the STS and registration in the PTS. If you change numbers to new ones or restore lost ones, 2000 rubles are added to this amount. When you keep your old signs, you pay 2,000 rubles only at the moment of their “activation” on a new car, but do not pay when you put the old ones into storage.
Shelf life and possible risks
As mentioned earlier, the maximum period for keeping numbers with the owner is 1 year. This period begins to run from the moment the application for preservation is submitted. During this time, you must purchase the vehicle and register it. If you don't meet the deadline, the numbers will be burned.
There are other risks to be aware of:
- 📉 Changes in legislation: Regulations may change and sign requirements (such as format or material) may become more stringent, requiring replacement.
- 🔒 Action blocking: If registration restrictions are imposed on the owner (for example, due to debts from bailiffs), he will not be able to save the license plates or put them on a new car.
- 🏢 Liquidation of a legal entity: For legal entities, upon liquidation of the company, the saved numbers are canceled automatically.
What to do if the shelf life expires and the car has not yet been purchased?
The current regulations do not provide for extension of the storage period. The only way out is to register any inexpensive car (for example, an old VAZ) in your name and reassign the numbers to it to extend the ownership cycle, and then remove them again and keep them. However, this will incur additional costs for duties and taxes.
It is also important to take into account the human factor and the condition of the plates themselves. During a year of storage (even if they are in your home, although according to the rules they must be listed in the database, but can physically be in your hands or handed over), the metal can corrode. Before installing on a new car, make sure that they are readable.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to keep the numbers if I change my registration to another region?
No, you can't. According to current rules, registration plates must correspond to the code of the region of registration of the owner. If you change your registration, you will be given new numbers with a new region code, and the old ones (with the old region code) will have to be returned, even if you want to keep them. The exception is cases when the law does not directly require a change of signs, but in practice, when changing the region of registration, a change of numbers is required.
Do I need to take the car to the traffic police to save the license plates if I haven’t turned them in yet?
Yes, definitely. The procedure for saving license plates is inextricably linked with the procedure for replacing license plates on the current car. The inspector must see the car in order to check the unit numbers and issue you new plates, freeing the old ones. You can’t just write a statement without inspecting the car.
What happens if I sell a car with saved license plates?
You cannot sell a car with saved license plates, since they are already listed as “saved” in your database. The car will have new license plates, which will be issued during the preservation procedure. You sell a car with new license plates, while the old ones remain in storage awaiting the next purchase.
Can I buy saved numbers from someone else?
Officially, no. The law prohibits the alienation (sale, gift) of state registration plates separately from the vehicle. The number is tied to a person, not a machine. All schemes for “buying” license plates are based on a chain of fictitious car sales and are risky and semi-legal.
Do I need to pay tax for storing numbers?
No, vehicle tax is paid on vehicle ownership, not on license plates. While the plates are in storage and not assigned to any vehicle, no tax is charged on them. You only pay tax after you register your car with these plates.