The question of the number of license plates that can be registered for one region arises for many car owners - especially in densely populated areas where the number of cars is growing faster than available combinations. Since 2026, Russia has had updated rules for the formation of license plates, which have expanded the possibilities for registering vehicles, but at the same time retained strict restrictions on regional codes.

Let's figure out exactly how license plates are distributed among the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, what limits are set for each region, and what to do if the free combinations run out. We will also find out why in some areas (for example, in Moscow or the Moscow region) numbers with code 77 or 50 are less common than before, and what alternative solutions are offered by the traffic police.

How license plates are formed in Russia

The standard Russian license plate consists of 7 characters: 3 letters (from the permitted alphabet) and 4 numbers, separated by area code. For example, A123BC 77 or X999XX 196. However, not all letters of the Cyrillic alphabet are used - only those that have analogues in the Latin alphabet are allowed in the numbers: A, B, E, K, M, N, O, R, S, T, U, X.

Key elements of the issue:

  • 🔤 Series (3 letters): The first letter stands for the series, the next two for the combination. For example, KMR or TAX.
  • 🔢 Number (3 digits): from 001 up to 999.
  • 🔤 Last two letters: can repeat the first one or be unique.
  • 📍 Regional code: from 01 (Republic of Adygea) to 99 (reserved for new regions). Codes 1xx and 2xx used for large cities (for example, 125 — Moscow, 178 - St. Petersburg).

Theoretically, for one area code it is possible to generate 12 × 10 × 10 × 10 × 12 × 12 = 1,728,000 unique combinations (subject to letter restrictions). However, in practice this number is smaller due to prohibited combinations (for example, OOO or XXX) and reserve series.

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If you see a number with a letter Z (for example, Z123AV 77), be aware that this is a fake. Letter Z not used in official license plates of the Russian Federation, as it is easily confused with a number 3.

How many numbers can be issued for one area code?

Maximum number of unique numbers for one area code (for example, 77 for Moscow) is about 1.7 million combinations. However, this number is reduced by:

  • 🚫 Prohibited combinations: numbers with repeating letters (AAA, OOO) or numbers (000, 111) are not issued.
  • 🔒 Reserve series: Some combinations are assigned to intelligence services, diplomatic missions and government agencies.
  • 📜 Historical restrictions: some series have been withdrawn from circulation (for example, numbers with code 77 and series LLC were not issued due to associations).

In practice, for one code it is available 1.2–1.5 million numbers. When the limit is exhausted, the traffic police enters additional area codes. For example:

Region Main code Additional codes Approximate number limit
Moscow 77 97, 99, 177, 197, 199, 777 ~10 million
Moscow region 50 90, 150, 190, 750 ~8 million
St. Petersburg 78 98, 178 ~4 million
Krasnodar region 23, 93 123, 193 ~3 million

For comparison: in small regions (for example, the Altai Republic with code 04) one code lasts for decades, since the number of registered cars does not exceed 200–300 thousand.

📊 How many cars are registered in your region?
Up to 500 thousand
From 500 thousand to 1 million
More than 1 million
I don't know

What to do if your region runs out of numbers

When the free combinations for the main regional code run out, the traffic police acts according to the following algorithm:

  1. Entering additional codes. For example, for Moscow after exhaustion 77 were introduced 97, 99, then 177 etc.
  2. Using three-digit codes. From 2020, type codes are allowed 1xx (for example, 125 for Moscow).
  3. Redistribution of reserve series. The traffic police may release combinations previously assigned to departments.
  4. Changing the number format. In the future, a transition to 8 digit numbers (for example, A123BV77), but this has not yet been implemented.

For car owners, this means that when registering a new car in a congested region (for example, in the Moscow region), there is a risk of receiving a number with an “unusual” code - for example, 750 instead of 50. However, legally this number is completely equivalent to the traditional one.

Why are there so many codes in Moscow?

Moscow is the only region where it is used 7 regional codes (77, 97, 99, 177, 197, 199, 777). This is due to the record number of cars: according to the traffic police, by 2026 more than 8 million cars (including motorcycles and trailers).

How to check how many numbers are left in your area

The traffic police does not publish official statistics on the balance of available license plates, but there are indirect methods of assessment:

  1. Analysis of issued series. If in your region they started issuing numbers with a new code (for example, instead of 50 appeared 150), this is a signal of a lack of combinations.
  2. Request to the traffic police. You can send a formal request via traffic police portal or the MFC with a request to provide data on the occupancy of the room stock.
  3. Auction monitoring. On sites like Avito or Drom.ru you can track which numbers are sold as “beautiful” - this indirectly indicates a shortage.

There are also unofficial services (for example, Numberologist or AutoCode), which analyze the traffic police databases and predict the exhaustion of series. However, their data is not always accurate.

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If you are planning to buy a car in a region with a shortage of license plates (Moscow, Moscow region, Krasnodar Territory), be prepared for the fact that the new license plate may have a “non-standard” code (for example, 199 instead of 77).

Is it possible to choose or keep the old number when moving?

Since 2026, the following rules have been in force in Russia:

  • 🔄 Retaining number when selling: if you are selling a car, you can keep the number for yourself on 180 days (previously it was 365 days). To do this, you need to submit an application to the traffic police and pay the state fee (2,000 ₽).
  • 🚗 Transferring a license plate to a new car: If you have a saved number, it can be transferred to another vehicle within 6 months.
  • 📍 Change region: When moving to another subject of the Russian Federation, you can keep the number, but the regional code will change. For example, when moving from Moscow (77) in Sochi (23) number A123BC 77 will become A123BC 23.

Important: You cannot select a specific combination when registering a new car — numbers are issued automatically from free stock. Exception - beautiful rooms, which can be purchased at auctions (for example, through Public services or specialized sites).

Submit an application to the traffic police or through State Services|Pay the state fee of 2,000 ₽|Deregister the car within 10 days|Use the number for a new car within 180 days-->

Common mistakes and myths about registration numbers

There are many misconceptions associated with license plates. Let's look at the most common ones:

⚠️ Attention: Numbers with code 82 (Crimea) or 92 (Sevastopol) are not "temporary" - they are full-fledged and act on an equal basis with the rest. The myth about their “inferiority” is associated with the history of the peninsula’s annexation to the Russian Federation in 2014.

Myth 1: “Numbers with code 1xx are temporary”

In fact, three-digit codes (for example, 125 for Moscow) are full-fledged regional designations introduced to expand the number of rooms. They do not expire and do not differ from two-digit ones.

Myth 2: “You can register a car in another region to get a “nice” license plate”

Technically this is possible, but prohibited by law. According to paragraph 3 of Art. 4 of Federal Law No. 283-FZ, the car must be registered at the owner’s place of residence. For violation - a fine of up to 2,000 rubles.

Myth 3: “The letters on the number mean something specific”

No, letter series (AAA, MRO etc.) do not carry any semantic load. They are generated automatically in order of priority. The exception is special series for taxis (TAX), diplomatic corps (D at the beginning) or military (MO).

How many regional codes are there in Russia?

As of 2026, it is used in Russia 106 area codes (from 01 up to 99, as well as three-digit 1xx and 2xx). The full list can be viewed at traffic police website.

Is it possible to find out how many cars are registered in my region?

Yes, you can get approximate statistics:

Exact data on the balance of available rooms is not published.

What happens if the region runs out of all possible combinations of numbers?

In this case, the traffic police:

  1. Will enter a new area code (for example, 150 for the Moscow region after 50).
  2. Can go to 8 digit numbers (this has not yet been implemented, but has been discussed since 2020).
  3. Will release reserve series (for example, previously assigned to departments).

For car owners, this means that new license plates will be issued with a different regional code, but legally they will remain valid.

Is it possible to drive with a license plate whose regional code has been erased?

No. According to paragraph 2 Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399, the license plate is considered unreadable if:

  • At least one letter or number is not visible.
  • The region code has been erased or damaged.
  • The sign is bent or cracked.

Driving with an unreadable license plate will result in a fine. 500 ₽ (Part 1 of Article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation) or warning.

Why are numbers issued in some regions with the code of another subject?

This is due to:

  • Uniting regions. For example, after the merger of the Perm region and the Komi-Permyak Autonomous Okrug in 2005, the code was used 59.
  • Shortage of combinations. For example, in the Moscow region, in addition to 50 are used 90, 150 etc.
  • Administrative features. For example, code 777 assigned to Moscow, but actually issued in the Moscow region.