The procedure for changing state registration plates, or in common parlance “preponderance”, is one of the most common requests from the traffic police, especially when purchasing a used car. Many drivers are still convinced that a change of owner automatically entails a mandatory replacement of plates, which leads to unnecessary financial expenses and wasted time. In fact, the law allows you to keep the old numbers if they comply with current standards and the regional code that matches the owner’s registration.
However, there are situations when superiority of numbers becomes a necessity or a conscious choice of the owner. This may be due to the desire to get a “beautiful” number, a change in the region of residence, or simply because the old signs have become unusable. Understanding how this process occurs will help you avoid mistakes when filling out documents and queues at the inspection.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions, the necessary documents and financial costs. Important Keep in mind that regulations may change slightly, so updated materials are always useful before visiting the MREO. We will look at the nuances that are often forgotten and help you prepare for the procedure as efficiently as possible.
When do you really need to replace signs?
Before you take action, you need to clearly determine whether you need advantage basically. According to current rules, when selling a car, the new owner has every right to retain the current registration plates. This is possible provided that they are readable, undamaged and comply with the format GOST R 50577-2018.
The situation changes if the buyer and seller are registered in different regions of the country. In this case, the car must receive a new region code corresponding to the registration of the new owner. Replacement is also required if signs are lost, stolen, or damaged to such an extent that they cannot be identified. Sometimes drivers themselves initiate a shift, wanting to get rid of an “unsuccessful” combination of numbers.
⚠️ Attention: If you buy a car with license plates from another region, but are registered in another subject of the Russian Federation, the traffic police is obliged to issue you new plates with your regional code, even if the old ones are in perfect condition.
There is also a replacement procedure at the request of the owner without changing ownership. You can contact the traffic police with a request to replace the signs simply because you don’t like them or you want to install thieves numbers purchased from the previous owner under a sales contract. In this case, the old signs are scrapped, and new ones are issued after paying the state fee.
Preparation of documents for the procedure
The success of the “preponderance of numbers as it happens” operation directly depends on the correctness of the collected package of documents. The absence of even one certificate may result in refusal to accept the application. The main list of papers is standard for any registration actions, but has its own characteristics when changing characters.
First of all you will need Vehicle Passport (PVC). If the document is paper, there must be free space in it to make a new entry. With an electronic PTS, the data is updated in the database, and the owner is issued an extract. It is also necessary to have a valid policy OSAGO, where the new owner is already entered (if there was a change of owner) or current data.
- 📄 Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation (original and copies of main pages).
- 🚗 Vehicle registration certificate (STS) - old sample or new plastic one.
- 📝 Application for changes to registration data (filled out on site or through State Services).
- 💰 Receipts for payment of state duties.
Special attention should be paid to the purchase and sale agreement if the car has just been purchased. In the “Cost” column, it is better to indicate the real amount or one close to the market one, although this is less critical for the overweight procedure than for the tax one. If you are changing the license plates on a car you already own, you do not need a contract; an application for the issuance of new plates to replace the lost ones or at the request of the owner is sufficient.
☑️ Documents for advantage
Financial expenses and state fees
The issue of cost is always acute, and the procedure for replacing registration plates is no exception. The budget consists of several mandatory payments established by the Tax Code of the Russian Federation. Ignoring payment for any of them will result in the system simply not allowing you to complete registration.
The main expense item is the issuance of new metal signs. If you receive them directly from the traffic police, the price is fixed. However, it often happens that the department does not have signs in the required format (for example, for motorcycles or American type), and then you have to order them from private manufacturers, which can cost more.
| Type of service | Cost (RUB) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance of new license plates | 2000 | Standard size |
| Making changes to the STS | 500 | Paper version |
| Making changes to the STS | 1500 | Plastic card (new) |
| Making an entry in the PTS | 350 | Only paper PTS |
| Issuance of transit numbers | 1600 | When taking a car abroad |
When paying through the portal Public services Previously, there was a 30% discount, but it is currently suspended, so you shouldn’t count on savings. The total amount for a standard replacement (new signs + new STS + entry in the PTS) will be about 2850 rubles. If the PTS is electronic, the amount will decrease by 350 rubles.
Keep all receipts for payment of state fees. Some traffic police departments still require paper originals, although the information should be sent automatically. Take a photo of your receipts on your phone as a backup.
Step-by-step instructions: how an advantage occurs
The very process of how it happens superiority of numbers, is technically not much different from a standard car registration. The main difference lies in the final stage, when the inspector hands over new metal plates. The entire algorithm can be divided into logical stages, the completion of which takes from one to several hours, depending on the workload of the MREO.
It all starts with submitting an application. The most convenient way is to apply through the portal Public servicesby selecting the “Vehicle Registration” service and indicating the reason “Change of registration data”. You will be asked to choose a convenient time and a specific traffic police department. This will eliminate the need to stand in line to submit documents.
At the appointed time you arrive at the inspection site. Here the inspector checks the reconciliation of numbered units. He compares the VIN code on the body and the engine number with the data in the title. It is critical that the engine number is legible and free from corrosion, overpainting or overprinting.. If everything is clear, the inspector marks the application, and you can move into the building to submit documents.
- 🚙 Drive the car to the viewing platform, provide access to the VIN code (sometimes you need to open the hood or door).
- 👮 Check the numbers and receive an inspection report (it can be in electronic form).
- 📂 Submit the package of documents to the reception window, wait for the database check (thefts, pledges, restrictions).
- 🆔 After verification, you will receive a new STS, updated PTS and new license plates.
After receiving new signs, they must be immediately attached to the vehicle. Driving onto the road in a car without license plates or with unreadable signs is prohibited and may result in a fine. Make sure that the fastenings are secure and that the numbers are installed in the designated areas according to the vehicle design.
What if a crime is found during inspection?
If, when checking the numbers, it is discovered that the VIN code or engine number has traces of changes, the car will be sent for examination. The owner may be asked to undergo a survey, and the car may be detained until the circumstances are clarified. This is a rare but possible scenario when buying a car second-hand.
Saving old numbers: nuances of the procedure
Many drivers wonder: is it possible to keep the old license plates when selling a car, but “outweigh” them on your new purchase? Such a procedure exists and is called “preservation of registration marks.” It allows you not to lose the desired combination of numbers when changing cars.
To do this, you must submit an application to the traffic police to retain the license plates for the current owner. The validity period of “saved” numbers is 365 days. During this year, you can buy another car and, when registering it, request the installation of exactly these saved signs. If you do not have time to exercise your right within a year, the numbers will go into reserve and will be issued to another citizen.
It is important to understand that you can save numbers only if they meet current standards. If you have old Soviet or early Russian formats that do not match GOST R 50577-2