When you buy a new car at a car dealership or buy a used car, the abbreviation GRZ is often found in the documents. For a newcomer to the world of auto business, this term may seem like a complicated bureaucratic code, but in reality it’s simpler. GRB These are state registration plates, which in everyday life we call simply numbers. They are assigned to the vehicle for its identification on public roads.
Process GHG This is the final stage of registration of the car in the traffic police. Without this procedure, the operation of the car is prohibited by law, and for leaving the road without numbers, a serious fine is provided. The driver must understand the difference between registration and the direct manufacture of a metal plate with numbers.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what is hidden behind the procedure for obtaining GRP, how much it costs this year and what documents will be required. You will learn whether you can save old numbers when buying a new car and what to do if there is an error in the database. Since 2026, the procedure for issuing marks has been standardized, and dealers can no longer issue them independently without the participation of the traffic police.
Decoding of the term and legal status
The abbreviation GRP stands for "State Registration Mark". This is not just a piece of metal with paint, but an official identifier that is entered in the database of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and associated with the VIN code of the car. Legally, obtaining a GRP means the completion of the process of legalizing a vehicle for participation in road traffic.
It is important not to confuse the GRZ with the CTC (Certificate of registration of the CU). STS is a document on paper or in electronic form, confirming ownership and accounting, and GRZ is a physical sign that is attached to the body. Registration It is only valid if both elements are present. The absence of one of them is equal to the absence of registration.
Owners often face a situation when in the contract of sale or in the order-outfit of the car dealership is marked “GRP not received”. This means that the car has not yet passed through the “window” in the traffic police or a specialized center, where it was assigned a unique number number. Until the actual receipt of plates, the car technically exists, but legally has no right to go on the roads.
⚠️ Note: Operating a vehicle with temporary transit numbers after their expiration or after actually receiving permanent GRZs (even if they are not already fixed on the bumper) is an offence.
Procedure for registration in the traffic police and at the dealer
There are two main ways to obtain a GRZ: through direct contact with the traffic police unit or through an accredited dealer. The second option appeared relatively recently and is designed to simplify the life of buyers of new cars, but it has its own financial features.
When applying to the traffic police you submit a package of documents, pay the state fee for issuing signs and for making changes to the PTS. After checking the car by the inspector, you are given metal plates on your hands. This route is often cheaper as you only pay a fixed fee. state dutyestablished by the State.
If you buy a car from an official dealer who has the status of a specialized organization, he can take over the registration. In this case, the documents will indicate that the GRP was received through a dealership. It is convenient, but usually costs more because of the service fee. You get a car with numbers ready to leave.
- 🚗 Submission of an application through the portal of public services significantly reduces the waiting time in the queue in the traffic police department.
- 💰 The cost of the dealer's services for obtaining GRZ may exceed the state duty by 2-3 times.
- 📄 When buying from a dealer, be sure to check whether the cost of GHZ is included in the final price of the car or is set in a separate invoice.
Cost of receipt and state duty
The financial issue of car registration is always relevant. The cost of obtaining GHZ consists of several components. The main payment is the state fee for the issuance of registration plates. Its size is regulated by the Tax Code and is uniform for the whole country, regardless of the region of registration.
Separately, changes to the Passport of the Transport Vehicle (PTS) and the issuance of a new Registration Certificate (CTC) are paid. If you buy a new car, the PTS can be electronic (EPTS), and then the fee is taken only for the issuance of the CTS and the signs themselves. For used cars with paper PTS prices may vary slightly depending on the availability of free space in the document.
The table below shows the current tariffs for registration services related to obtaining GRZ:
| Type of service | The amount of duty (ruble) | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance of GRZ (metal signs) | 2000 | Standard size, type 1 |
| Amendments to the PCA | 350 | If there is a paper PTS |
| Issuance of a new ITS | 500 | Plastic card or electronic card |
| Issuance of GRZ “Transit” | 1600 | For taking cars abroad |
It should be borne in mind that if you order the manufacture of duplicates of GRP instead of lost or fallen into disrepair, tariffs may be different, and this is done by commercial organizations licensed, and not directly by the traffic police.
Pay the state duty on the portal of public services from the mobile application of the bank - often there is a discount, although recently it may not apply, check the current information at the time of payment.
Retention of numbers and re-receipt
Many car owners are wondering: can you keep the old numbers when selling a car? The legislation of the Russian Federation allows you to keep the owner a combination of numbers and letters on the GRP. To do this, you need to apply to the traffic police for the preservation of registration marks.
The procedure is as follows: you hand over the old numbers for storage in the traffic police, get new signs (for a fee), and the old car is sold with or without new numbers. The scoring will remain in your account for the period of time. 360 days. During this time, you can install them on another car you purchase or already own.
If a new car is not purchased within a year, the numbers are disposed of and the right to use them is burned. Receiving a re-receipt of a GHZ in case of loss or theft requires writing an explanatory and undergoing a recovery procedure, which may take time and require the provision of a vehicle for inspection.
⚠️ Note: Number plates with mechanical damage, corrosion or unreadable symbols are not subject to preservation. The traffic police will refuse to accept such GRPs for storage, requiring first to make their duplicates.
Problems with scrap collection and blocking of GRP
One of the most painful topics of recent years is the connection between the payment of the recycling fee and the possibility of obtaining a GRZ. If a mistake was made during customs clearance of the car or in the manufacturer's data, or if the preferential scrap collection was issued with violations, customs may impose a claim for additional payment.
Until the repayment of the debt on the scrap collection, registration actions with the car can be suspended. This means that you will not be able to physically get a GRZ or re-register the car for yourself. In the database of traffic police there is a mark about the presence of restrictions.
Often this problem is faced by buyers of cars imported from abroad by private individuals, or buyers of new cars where the dealer incorrectly issued documents. In such cases GHG It is not possible to resolve the financial issue with the customs authorities.
- 📉 Checking the status of the scrap collection is possible through the electronic services of the FCS or by contacting customs with a VIN code.
- 🚫 Without a certificate of payment of the scrap fee (or mark in the EPP), the traffic police will refuse to issue numbers.
- ⚖️ Judicial practice shows that the obligation of additional payment often falls on the current owner, even if the importer made mistakes.
What if the slug was not given because of the slug?
It is necessary to request a written refusal to the traffic police indicating the reason. This document should be addressed to customs for clarification of the status of the scrap collection. If the error is on the side of customs, file a complaint.
Electronic GRZ and the future of registration
Technology is not in place, and the concept of electronic license plates (EGRZ) is periodically discussed at the level of ministries. The idea is to replace the metal plate with a digital identifier readable by cameras and sensors. However, for the moment GHG They remain an obligatory attribute.
The introduction of electronic PTS (EPTS) has already become a reality, which simplifies the process of transferring data about the owner. It is expected that in the future the process of obtaining GRZ will be completely digital: ordering through the application, delivery by courier or printing on a 3D printer with protective elements at the points of issue.
In the meantime, we are in a transitional period, when paper and electronic documents coexist, and the GRP still needs to be obtained in the form of a metal plate. It is important to keep an eye on the news as regulations may change, introducing new types of signs for electric vehicles or motorcycles.
☑️ Are you ready to receive the GRZ?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I get a smelter in any region of Russia?
Yes, since 2019, the binding to the region of the owner’s residence permit has been abolished. You can get a number with a code of any region where there is a free number resource, regardless of your residence permit. However, the region code on the GRZ should correspond to the region of registration of the car in the traffic police.
How long are the transit numbers valid?
Transit registration plates are issued for a period of 30 days. They are designed to drive the car to the place of permanent registration or follow to the place of disposal. Extending their validity period is usually impossible.
What if there is a mistake in the GRZ (not a letter)?
If an error is made in the manufacture of marks (factory defect), they must be replaced free of charge within a short period of time when applying to the organization that issued them. If the sign is damaged during operation, this is a reason for making a duplicate at your own expense.
Do I have to rent out old numbers when buying a new car?
Not if you don't want to keep them. When you buy a new car, you get new GHZs. Old numbers remain on your previous car that you sell, or are rented to the traffic police if the car is scrapped, or are saved for you on application.
Obtaining a GRZ is a mandatory legal procedure, without which the car is not entitled to be on public roads, and ignoring the rules can lead to fines and problems with the law.