Preponderance of numbers from a car: rules, cost and step-by-step algorithm

The transfer of state registration plates (numbers) from one car to another is a procedure that often raises questions among car owners. Many people mistakenly believe that the numbers are “tied” to the car forever, but in fact they can be saved when selling an old car and installed on a new one. However, there are legal nuances, time restrictions and financial costs that are important to know about in advance.

The process of preponderance is regulated By Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 605 (with the latest changes in 2023) and requires contacting the traffic police. Main rule: plates can only be changed within 365 days from the date of deregistration of the previous car. If you miss this deadline, you will have to scrap the signs and get new ones for a new car. In this article, we will look at how to correctly register an excess, how much it costs, what documents are needed and what pitfalls await car owners.

We will pay special attention to situations where superiority is impossible - for example, if documents for license plates are lost or if new plates have already been issued in your name. We will also consider alternative options: saving the numbers in your personal account of the State Services or registering through the MFC. If you are planning to sell your car and want to keep the “nice” numbers, these instructions will help you avoid mistakes and save time.

Who can change numbers and in what cases is it allowed?

Overweight registration plates are permitted only to individuals — legal organizations and individual entrepreneurs are deprived of this opportunity. Basic conditions for the procedure:

• 🔹 The license plates must be deregistered along with the previous car (not lost or stolen).
• 🔹 No more than has passed since deregistration 1 year (365 days).
• 🔹 You are the owner of both an old and a new car (or have a notarized power of attorney).
• 🔹 New numbers were not issued in your name after the old ones were deregistered.

Important: if you sold the car under a general power of attorney (without deregistration), reassign the numbers it's impossible — they remain behind the old car. The procedure is also not available if:

• 🚫 Numbers have been lost or damaged (needs replacement, not restocking).
• 🚫 You have already received new signs for another vehicle.
• 🚫 The previous car was stolen or disposed of without being deregistered.

Since 2022, there has been a relaxation in the rules: if you deregister a car for sale abroad, you can save the numbers for advantage - previously this was prohibited. However, to do this, you need to provide the traffic police with a purchase and sale agreement with a foreign citizen or organization.

Step-by-step instructions: how to transfer license plates from car to car

The procedure consists of three key stages: deregistration of the license plates along with the old car, saving the signs in your personal account and installing them on the new vehicle. Let's look at each step in detail.

Step 1. Deregistration of the car

Before selling your old car, you must deregister it. This can be done:

• 📱 Via personal account on “State Services” (free, takes 1 day).
• 🏛 B any traffic police department (by appointment).
• 🏦 B MFC (if such a service is available in your region).

When deregistering, please indicate in your application what you want save license plates. You will be given:

• 📄 Certificate of deregistration (with a note about maintaining the numbers).
• 🔢 The registration plates themselves (if you rent the car in person).

Step 2. Registering a new car

When you buy a new car, when registering it with the traffic police, indicate that you want to use the saved numbers. For this you will need:

• 📄 Owner’s passport.
• 📄 PTS of a new car.
• 📄 Purchase and sale agreement (or other document confirming ownership).
• 📄 Certificate of deregistration of the old car (with a note about keeping the license plates).
• 🔢 Saved registration plates (if you rented the car in person).

Step 3. Registration of advantage

At the traffic police you need:

1. Write an application for registration of a new vehicle indicating the saved numbers.
2. Provide all documents (see list above).
3. Pay the state fee (more about tariffs in the next section).
4. Wait for your documents to be verified (usually takes 1–2 hours).
5. Receive a new STS and PTS with a note about the excess of numbers.

Certificate of deregistration of an old car (with a note about keeping the license plates)

Owner's passport

PTS of a new car

Purchase and sale agreement for a new car

Saved registration plates (if any)

Receipt for payment of state duty-->

If you deregistered your car through Gosuslugi, the license plates are stored electronically - you do not need to bring them to the traffic police. The inspector himself will see in the database that the signs are reserved for you.

How much does the excess number cost in 2026?

The cost of the procedure depends on how you register the excess: through State Services or directly to the traffic police. Current tariffs for 2026:

Service	Cost at the traffic police (rub.)	Cost through “Government Services” (RUB)
Deregistration of a car while preserving the license plates	500	350 (with 30% discount)
Registration of a new car with an excess of numbers	2 850	1,995 (with 30% discount)
Manufacturing of new STS	500	350 (with 30% discount)
Making changes to the PTS	350	245 (30% discount)

Total: minimum cost of excess when registering through “State Services” - 2,940 rubles (instead of 4,200 rubles at the traffic police without a discount). If you have already deregistered the car before and paid for it separately, the amount will be less.

Additional costs may arise if:

• 🔧 Numbers need to be replaced due to damage (from 2,000 rubles for a new set).
• 📝 It is necessary to restore lost documents (for example, a certificate of deregistration).
• 🚗 A new car requires a preliminary inspection (if it is older than 3 years or with foreign registration).

Please note: if you missed the 365 day deadline, restore your right to override it's impossible — you will have to get new numbers and pay the full cost of registration (from 5,000 rubles).

Time frame: how long does the procedure take?

The processing time depends on the method of submitting documents and the workload of the traffic police. Average terms in 2026:

• 📱 Through "State Services":
  • Deregistration - 1 working day (sometimes immediately).
  • Registration of a new car - from 1 to 3 days (depending on the registration in the traffic police).
• 🏛 Directly to the traffic police:
  • Deregistration and overweight in one visit - 2–4 hours (if there is no queue).
  • When registering for a specific time - up to 1 hour.
• 🏦 Via MFC:
  • Deregistration - 3–5 working days (documents are transferred to the traffic police).
  • Registration of a new car - 5–7 working days.

The fastest option is combined:

1. Deregister a car through State Services (1 day).
2. Sign up with the traffic police to register a new car (1-2 days after removal).
3. Arrive at the appointed time with documents and receive new STS with rearranged numbers.

⚠️ Attention: If you deregister a car on Friday and buy a new car on Monday, keep in mind that these are weekends included within 365 days. That is, in fact, you have 363 days left to win.

If you sell a car and buy a new one on the same day, you can arrange everything for one visit to the traffic police:

1. First, deregister the old car (while keeping the license plates).
2. Immediately submit documents for registration of a new vehicle with an advantage.

In this case, the procedure will take 2–3 hours (taking into account expectations).

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even with the apparent simplicity of the procedure, many car owners make mistakes that lead to the refusal of an advantage or the loss of license plates. Let's look at the most common ones:

1. Missing the deadline of 365 days

This is the most common reason for refusal. Many people forget that the term is counting not from the date of sale of the car, but from the date of deregistration. For example, if you deregistered a car on January 10, 2023, then you need to change the numbers before January 10, 2026 inclusive.

2. Obtaining new numbers before the advantage

If you registered a new car and received other signs for it, the preponderance of the old ones becomes impossible. In this case, you will either have to travel with new license plates, or scrap them and get another set.

3. Loss of documents for numbers

If you have lost your de-registration certificate or the license plates themselves, restore them to replace them it's impossible. In this case, you will have to get new numbers. An exception is if the numbers are stored electronically at State Services (this option has been available since 2023).

4. Buying a car with “problem” license plates

If the previous owner of a new car deregistered it while keeping the license plates, and then sold you the car without plates, reassign your plates it's impossible. First you need to get new registration plates for this vehicle, and only then (if you scrap them) you can rehang your old ones.

5. Errors in documents

Common typos that lead to rejection:

• 🔠 Mismatch between the VIN number in the PTS and the purchase and sale agreement.
• 🔠 Errors in the owner’s passport data.
• 🔠 Lack of a mark on the preservation of numbers in the deregistration certificate.

What to do if the traffic police refused to give you an advantage?

If you are refused, request a written justification with reference to a specific paragraph of Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 605. Frequent reasons for refusals:

1. 365 days expired — it is impossible to restore the right to advantage, you can only issue new numbers.
2. Numbers are listed as lost - if there is a note about loss in the traffic police database, an application for restoration will be required (but excess is no longer allowed).
3. Other numbers were issued in your name — if after deregistration of the old car you received signs for another vehicle, the excess is prohibited.

If the refusal seems unreasonable, you can appeal it through portal "Government services" or contact a higher traffic police department. In 20% of cases, refusals are overturned upon reconsideration.

⚠️ Attention: If you sell a car under a general power of attorney (without deregistration), the new owner can dispose of the car along with your license plates. In this case, it will be impossible to restore the signs - they will be scrapped as part of the vehicle.

Alternative methods: maintaining numbers without advantage

If you are not planning to buy a new car in the near future, but want to keep the plates, there are several options:

1. Storing numbers in your personal account “Gosuslug”

From 2023, when a car is deregistered through the portal, the license plates will be automatically saved electronically. They do not need to be physically picked up - they will be “linked” to your account. Shelf life is the same 365 days, but there is no risk of losing or damaging signs.

2. Registration through the MFC

In some regions (for example, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan), MFCs accept documents for maintaining numbers. Benefits:

• 🕒 You can sign up for a convenient time without queues.
• 📍 Proximity to home (there is a MFC in every district).

Disadvantages:

• ⏳ Longer processing time (up to 7 days).
• 💰 There is no discount on state duty (unlike “State Services”).

3. Re-registration to a relative

If you don’t have time to buy a new car, but want to keep the license plates, you can temporarily re-register them in the name of a close relative (spouse, parents, children). To do this:

1. Deregister a car while keeping the license plates.
2. Issue a power of attorney for a relative (notarized).
3. Re-register the saved numbers in his name (within 365 days).

When you are ready to buy a new car, a relative can transfer the plates back to you.

4. Buying “beautiful” numbers through an auction

If your numbers cannot be saved, you can try to purchase other “beautiful” signs through traffic police auction. Cost varies from 5,000 to 500,000 rubles depending on the combination. For example, numbers with repeating digits (A111AA 77) or letters (AAAAAA 77) are in greatest demand.

What happens if you don’t change the numbers on time?

If you did not manage to change the numbers within 365 days, the consequences depend on your further actions:

1. Numbers are automatically canceled

After expiration signs burn out - they can neither be outweighed nor restored. In the traffic police database they are marked as “invalid”, and if you try to use them on a new car you will be refused.

2. You will have to get new numbers

When you register a new car, you will be given different registration plates. Cost:

• 💰 Production of a new set of numbers - 2,000 rubles.
• 💰 State registration fee - 2,850 rubles (or 1,995 rubles with a discount on “State Services”).

3. Risk of fine for old numbers

If you try to use expired license plates on a new car, this is equivalent to driving without registration plates. Fine under Part 2 of Article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses:

• 📋 For individuals - 5,000 rubles.
• 📋 For repeated violation - deprivation of rights for 1–3 months.

4. Problems when selling a car

If you sell a car with license plates that you do not have time to change, the new owner will not be able to register it. He will have to:

1. Scrap numbers.
2. Create new signs.
3. Spend extra time and money.

This may be a reason to terminate the deal or reduce the price.

⚠️ Attention: If you deregistered a car while keeping the license plates, but did not transfer them to a new car, and then sold the old vehicle under a general power of attorney, the new owner can dispose of the car along with your license plates. In this case, it will be impossible to restore the signs - they will be melted down as part of scrap metal.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about number preponderance

Is it possible to change license plates from car to car if the old car was leased?

No. The license plates issued for leased cars belong to the leasing company. After purchasing the car, you receive new registration plates, and the old ones are handed over to the traffic police. An advantage in this case is impossible.

What should I do if the plates are damaged (bent, scratched, faded)?

If the numbers are preserved, but have defects, they can be re-uploaded, but only on the condition that:

• 🔹 Numbers and letters are clearly readable.
• 🔹 There are no signs of forgery or alteration of symbols.
• 🔹 Damage does not interfere with identification (for example, a chip of paint does not affect the numbers).

If the traffic police inspector considers that the plates are unsuitable, you will have to order a duplicate (cost: 2,000 rubles).

Is it possible to transfer license plates from a car to a motorcycle or trailer?

No. Overweight is allowed only between cars one category (for example, cars - to cars, trucks - to trucks). License plates cannot be installed on:

• 🏍 Motorcycles, mopeds, scooters.
• 🚛 Trailers (even if they are passenger cars).
• 🚜 Agricultural or special equipment.

Separate registration plates are issued for these vehicles.

What should I do if I lost my deregistration certificate, but kept the numbers?

In this case, an advantage is impossible. You need:

1. Contact the traffic police with a statement about the loss of the document.
2. Receive a duplicate certificate (cost - 350 rubles).
3. If the database does not have a record of saving the numbers, they will have to be scrapped.

Without a certificate, the inspector will not be able to confirm that the numbers were stored legally.

Is it possible to change the number plates if a new car is purchased in another region?

Yes, the region where you buy a new car does not matter. The main thing is to:

• 🔹 You were the owner (or had a power of attorney).
• 🔹 The numbers were saved for 365 days.
• 🔹 The new car did not have previously issued registration plates in your name.

In this case, the numbers can be reassigned with the code of any region (not necessarily the one where you are registered). For example, if you had numbers A123BC 77 (Moscow), they can be installed on a car purchased in St. Petersburg (78) or Kazan (16).