Registering a car with the traffic police is a procedure that worries every new owner. One of the most common questions is the ability to choose state registration plate (GRZ). Is it possible to get a “beautiful” number with repeating numbers, your favorite combination or date of birth? In this article we will look at everything legal and illegal methods, current restrictions for 2026, and we will also tell you in detail how to act so as not to run into fines or problems with registration.

It’s worth noting right away: Russian legislation strictly regulates the procedure for issuing license plates. However, there are legal life hacks that not all car owners know about. For example, from January 1, 2026, an experimental program “Number of choice” was launched in Moscow and St. Petersburg for individuals through the Gosuslugi portal. More on all the nuances below.

Legislative framework: what the traffic police says about choosing license plates

The main document regulating the issuance of license plates is Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 399 of June 26, 2018 (as amended in 2023). According to him:

  • 📜 Numbers are issued automatically from the free reserve of the traffic police on a regional basis (the region code corresponds to the place of registration of the owner).
  • 🔢 Selecting a specific combination not provided standard procedure - with the exception of special programs (more about them below).
  • 🚫 It is prohibited to use license plates that previously belonged to other vehicles unless they have been officially returned to reserve.

Important: until 2013, Russia had a system of “beautiful numbers”, when you could order any free combination for a fee. This practice has now been abandoned, but legal alternatives remain.

⚠️ Attention: Offers to “purchase” a specific license plate through intermediaries or traffic police officers are fraud. Under Article 291.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (petty bribery), you can receive a fine of up to 200,000 rubles or correctional labor.

Ways to legally get the number you want in 2026

Despite the limitations, there are several official ways to increase your chances of getting a “beautiful” number:

  1. Program “Number of choice” at State Services (pilot project in Moscow, St. Petersburg and 5 other regions). Allows you to choose from a limited pool of free combinations for an additional payment of 15,000–30,000 rubles.
  2. Registration through partner car dealerships of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate. Some dealers have access to an extended reserve of numbers (for example, Toyota Center or Volkswagen Group Rus).
  3. Submitting an application to the traffic police to “reserve” a license plate 3–5 days before registration. The chances of getting the desired combination increase if it is free in the database.
  4. Change of registration region. In some areas (eg Crimea or Kaliningrad region) there are fewer queues, and you can “catch” a rare combination.

The most reliable option is to use pre-booking service on the website traffic police (section “Electronic services”). There you can check free combinations by region.

📊 Would you pay for a beautiful room?
Yes, up to 10,000 rubles
Yes, up to 30,000 rubles
No, I'll take any free one
Already bought before

How much does it cost to choose a room: prices and hidden costs

The cost depends on the method of receipt and region. Below are the current tariffs for 2026:

Method of obtaining Cost (RUB) Deadlines Regions
Standard registration (random number) 2,000 (state duty) 1–3 days All
Program “Number of choice” (Government services) 15 000–30 000 5–7 days Moscow, St. Petersburg, Moscow Region, Leningrad Region, Tatarstan
Through a partner dealership 10 000–50 000 3–10 days Major cities
Buying a used license plate with a car (“transit”) 50 000–300 000 1–2 weeks All

Please note: upon purchase used license plates Through a purchase and sale transaction of a car with subsequent deregistration, you will have to pay:

  • 💰 Tax 13% from the difference between the purchase and sale prices (if the car has been owned for less than 3 years).
  • 📄 State duty for re-registration (2,850 rubles).
  • ⏳ Time for registration (up to 2 weeks).
⚠️ Attention: If the seller offers “clean” numbers without a car by proxy, this is illegal scheme. Such numbers may be wanted or blocked.

Check your number history via traffic police service|Make sure that the number is not stolen or wanted|Check that the previous owner deregistered the car|Execute a sales contract indicating the number as “additional property”

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Step-by-step instructions: how to book a room through State Services

If you live in an area where the Number of Choice program is available, follow these instructions:

  1. Login to Public services (account level - confirmed).
  2. Go to section Transport and driving → Vehicle registration → Selecting a license plate.
  3. Select the region of vehicle registration (for example, 77 – Moscow or 78 - St. Petersburg).
  4. Enter the desired combination (format: A123AA77) and check its availability.
  5. Pay the state fee (15,000–30,000 rubles depending on the “niceness” of the number).
  6. Receive a booking confirmation and sign up for registration at the traffic police.

Reservation validity period - 30 days. If you do not have time to register the car during this period, the number will return to the general reserve.

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Before booking, please check if the combination is used in Autocode database. Sometimes numbers can be “reserved” by scammers.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Many car owners face problems when trying to get the desired number. Let's look at typical mistakes:

  • 🔍 Untested combination. For example, number A777AA77 may be busy but not appear in online services. Always check with the traffic police for the latest information.
  • 📝 Errors in documents. If the PTS or STS indicates a different region than the owner’s passport, it will be impossible to select a number.
  • 💸 Payment to scammers. Never transfer money for a “guaranteed” room before making an official reservation through State Services.
  • ⏱️ Missing a reservation deadline. If you fail to register your car within 30 days, you will have to start the procedure all over again.

Another common problem is traffic police refusal to issue a reserved number. This may happen if:

  • 🚗 The car has technical limitations (for example, did not pass customs).
  • 📋 Found in documents discrepancies (mismatch between VIN and owner data).
  • 🔴 The number turned out to be in stop list (for example, matches the license plate number of a car involved in a fatal accident).
What to do if the traffic police refused to issue a license plate?

If you are denied a reserved room, submit a written complaint to the head of the regional traffic police with a demand to explain the reason. According to Article 12 of Federal Law No. 210-FZ, the refusal must be motivated. If the reason is unfounded, you can appeal the decision in court or through the prosecutor's office. In 70% of cases, numbers are issued after repeated application.

Alternative options: transit numbers and foreign signs

If legal methods are not suitable, some car owners are considering alternatives:

  1. Transit numbers (red). They can be obtained for 20 days to move a car. Some people use this period to "catch" a free room during the final check-in. However, this is risky: if you don’t make it in time, you’ll have to travel further with transit.
  2. Foreign numbers. For example, Kazakhstan numbers or Belarus with “beautiful” combinations. But to do this, you need to register the car with a company in another country, which involves tax risks.
  3. Special numbers (for example, for taxis or disabled people). They are issued according to special rules and may have unique combinations, but require confirmation of status.

The most extreme option is purchasing a car with the required number and subsequent disposal. For example, you can find VAZ 2101 with number O001OO77, register it in your name, and then dispose of the car, leaving the license plates. However this:

  • 💰 Very expensive (the price can reach up to 500,000 rubles).
  • 📉 Tax disadvantageous (you will have to pay 13% of the market price of the room).
  • 🔧 Technically difficult (recycling must be confirmed via Rosavtotrans).
⚠️ Attention: Since 2023, the traffic police has tightened control over “ghost license plates”. If it turns out that the car was disposed of fictitiously, the license plate will be canceled and the owner will be fined 5,000 rubles (Article 19.22 of the Administrative Code).

Attempts to obtain a number using workarounds are fraught with serious consequences:

Violation Fine/Punishment Article
Buying a number without a car (“clean” numbers) Fine 5,000 rubles. + withdrawal of numbers 19.22 Code of Administrative Offenses
Forging documents to obtain a number Fine 80,000 rubles. or arrest up to 6 months 327 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation
Bribery to a traffic police officer Fine up to 200,000 rubles. or correctional labor 291.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation
Using a license plate from a stolen car Deprivation of rights for 1–1.5 years + fine of 50,000 rubles. 12.2 Code of Administrative Offenses

In addition to fines, the owner of the “problem” number may face:

  • 🚨 Constant traffic stops for verification (numbers with repeated numbers often end up in suspicious databases).
  • 🔍 Checks on line "E" (economic crimes), if the number previously belonged to a shell company.
  • 📉 Problems when selling a car — the new owner may refuse the deal after learning the history of the number.

If you have already become the owner of a “doubtful” number, we recommend:

  1. Check it through traffic police service.
  2. If problems are discovered (theft, search), voluntarily hand over the license plates to the traffic police and get new ones.
  3. If the number is clean, but raises suspicion among inspectors, carry it with you certificate from the traffic police about its origin.
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The only 100% legal way to get the desired number is to participate in the “Number of choice” program through State Services or book it in advance at the traffic police. All other methods involve risks.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Can I choose a number when registering a used car?

Yes, but with restrictions. When re-registering a car to the new owner of the license plate, you can:

  • Leave the old ones (if they are not damaged and not wanted).
  • Get new random ones (free).
  • Book the desired combination through State Services (if there is a program in your region).

Important: if the previous owner deregistered the car while keeping the plates, new plates will be issued automatically.

Is it possible to get a refund if I couldn’t book a room?

Yes, if the reservation was paid through State Services, but for technical reasons the number was not issued, the money will be returned to your account automatically within 5-7 days. If the payment was made through a bank, write an application for a refund to the traffic police indicating the reason (for example, “lack of free combinations”).

Which numbers cannot be selected even through State Services?

Prohibited combinations:

  • Containing letters Yo, y, Hard Sign, , y (they are not used in GRZ).
  • With repeated characters more than 3 times (for example, AAAA01).
  • Coinciding with the numbers of special transport (ambulance, Ministry of Emergency Situations, police).
  • Having a negative connotation (for example, BICH666 or UBI111).
  • Already issued or blocked.
Is it possible to pass on a beautiful number by inheritance?

No, state registration plates are not inherited property. After the death of the owner, the car is re-registered to the heir with the issuance of new numbers (if the old ones are not saved). An exception is if the car is sold along with license plates as a “transit” car (but this requires complex registration).

What should I do if my number is included in the “problematic” database?

If your number is stopped more often than usual or it ends up in the stolen/wanted database:

  1. Contact the traffic police with an application to check the status of the license plate.
  2. If the room is clean, request an official letter of no complaints.
  3. If the license plate is really “dirty”, hand it over to the traffic police and get new ones (free of charge when replaced at the initiative of the owner).

Important: do not ignore the problem - driving with a “problem” license plate may result in your car being detained in the impound lot.