Have you lost or damaged your license plate number and are wondering how much it costs to make a duplicate? Or maybe they are offering you “copies” at a suspiciously low price? In this article we will analyze all legal and illegal ways receiving duplicate numbers, current ones prices for 2026, as well as the risks that counterfeit plates pose. It is important to understand: even outwardly identical numbers can have completely different legal status - from completely legal to criminally punishable.

According to Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 605 from 2018, a duplicate license plate is issued strictly through the traffic police or accredited organizations - but the market is full of “gray” offers. We analyzed data from forums (like Drive2 and Drom.ru), reviews from car owners and official rates to get an honest picture. Spoiler: a legal duplicate will cost you 500–3,000 rubles, but “left” numbers can cost from 5,000 rubles to 50,000 rubles - but with them you risk not only fines, but also a criminal case.

In the article you will find:

  • 🔹 Official prices for duplicates at the traffic police and intermediaries (comparative table)
  • 🔹 Where are illegal copies made? and how to recognize them (photo examples)
  • 🔹 Fines and consequences for fake numbers - from 5,000₽ to deprivation of rights
  • 🔹 Step by step instructionshow to obtain a duplicate legally (with deadlines and documents)

1. Official duplicate numbers: prices in the traffic police and from accredited manufacturers

If you need 100% legal duplicate, it can only be obtained in two ways:

  1. Through the traffic police — submit an application, pay the state fee and receive new numbers with the same letters/numbers.
  2. Through accredited organizations (for example, Gosznak or MFC) - they produce signs commissioned by the traffic police.

Current prices for 2026:

Duplicate type Cost (₽) Production time Where to order
One license plate (metal) 500 1–3 days Traffic police, MFC, Gosznak
Pair of numbers (front + rear) 1 000–1 500 1–5 days Traffic police, accredited centers
Numbers with individual series 3 000–15 000 5–10 days Only through the traffic police
Urgent production (1 day) 2 000–3 000 24 hours Private accredited centers

Important: The state duty for a duplicate is fixed - 500₽ per sign (Article 333.33 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation). But some centers charge an additional fee for “intermediary services” (up to RUB 1,000). Always check whether the state fee is included in the final amount!

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Before ordering a duplicate, check whether your original license plate is listed in the database of stolen cars. You can do this on the website traffic police — if the number is wanted, you will be denied a duplicate until the restrictions are lifted.

2. Illegal duplicates: black market prices and risks

On the Internet and word of mouth you often find sentences like: “We'll make a duplicate number for 2,000₽, you won't be able to tell the difference from the outside!" Such numbers are made at home or using stolen forms. Their main danger is they are not registered in the traffic police database, which means that during the first inspection by the inspector you will face serious problems.

Prices for “left” duplicates vary:

  • 💰 Simple copy (printed on a printer or engraved on metal) - 3 000–8 000₽.
  • 💰 "Professional" fake (with holograms, correct font) - 10 000–20 000₽.
  • 💰 Turnkey rooms (with entry into the database) - 25 000–50 000₽+ (fraud!).

Where are they offered?

  • 📌 Telegram channels (search for “duplicate numbers Moscow/St. Petersburg”).
  • 📌 Forums (Drom.ru, Drive2 - in private messages).
  • 📌 "Masters" in garages (often through friends).
📊Have you ever bought illegal duplicate numbers?
No, only official ones
Yes, one time
Yes, I use it regularly
I think about it
⚠️ Attention! If you are caught with fake license plates, the inspector has the right take the car to the impound lot (Article 27.13 of the Administrative Code). It will be possible to return it only after presenting the original license plates - and this means additional costs for a tow truck (from RUB 3,000) and storage (up to RUB 1,000/day).

Even if you officially ordered a duplicate, it is worth checking its authenticity. Fraudsters sometimes slip fakes instead of originals. Please note:

  1. Quality of metal and paint:
    • 🔍 Original: thick metal 1 mm, the paint is not erased by rubbing with alcohol.
    • 🔍 Fake: thin metal (0.5 mm), the paint is smudged.
  2. Hologram and security elements:
    • 🔍 Original: the hologram changes color when tilted, there is a microtext “RUS”.
    • 🔍 Fake: the hologram is dim or absent, the microtext is blurred.
  • Font and character layout:
    • 🔍 Original: letters and numbers are clear, the same size, with correct character spacing.
    • 🔍 Fake: symbols “float”, different size, crooked lines.
    Example photo of original vs fake

    The original number (left) shows clear microtext “RUS” under a magnifying glass and uniform perforation along the edges. On the fake (right) the edges of the characters are blurred, the hologram is peeling off, and there is no perforation.

    You can check the authenticity of the duplicate using traffic police service — enter the vehicle number and VIN. If the data doesn't match, it's a fake.

    4. Step-by-step instructions: how to obtain duplicate numbers legally

    To get a legal duplicate, follow this algorithm:

    1. Step 1: Prepare your documents:
      • 📄 Passport of the car owner.
      • 📄 Vehicle Registration Certificate (CTC).
      • 📄 Vehicle Passport (PTS).
      • 📄 Application (a sample will be provided on the spot).
    2. Step 2. Pay the state fee:
      • 💳 Via Public services (with a 30% discount) or at the bank.
      • 💳 Payment details can be obtained from the traffic police or on the website Gosznak.
  • Step 3. Submit documents:
    • 🏛️ To any traffic police department (by appointment).
    • 🏛️ At the MFC (if such a service is available in your region).

    ☑️ What to check before submitting documents

    Done: 0 / 4

    The production time for a duplicate is from 1 to 5 business days. For urgent orders (through private accredited centers), you can get numbers for 24 hours, but the price will rise to 2,000–3,000 rubles.

    5. Fines and punishments for fake duplicate numbers

    The use of illegal duplicates is punishable under two articles:

    1. Administrative liability (CAO):
      • 📋 St. 12.2 part 2 — fine 5,000₽ or deprivation of rights for 1–3 months for fake numbers.
      • 📋 St. 12.1 part 2 — fine 1,500–2,000₽ for the absence of at least one number.
  • Criminal liability (Criminal Code of the Russian Federation):
    • 📋 St. 327 — up to 2 years imprisonment for forgery or use of deliberately false documents (if the numbers are entered into the database).

    Case studies (according to Autocode):

    • 🚗 In 2023 in Moscow, a driver with fake license plates was fined 30 000₽ + disqualified for 6 months.
    • 🚗 In Krasnodar, the owner was threatened with a criminal case for “duplicates” with other people’s data, but he got off with a fine of 50 000₽.
    ⚠️ Attention! If you bought a car with duplicate license plates, be sure to check them through traffic police service. There have been cases when the previous owner hid the theft, and the new license plates were fake. In this case, the car may be confiscated, and you may be held liable for dishonest purchase.

    6. Alternatives to duplicates: temporary numbers and re-registration

    If you urgently need to travel, but the duplicate is not ready yet, consider these options:

    • 🆔 Temporary transit numbers - are worth 1 600₽ (for 20 days), are registered with the traffic police.
    • 🔄 Re-registration of a car with new license plates — if the original numbers are lost irretrievably, you can get new ones (cost — 2 000₽).
    • 🚘 Tow truck or taxi — if the car cannot be operated without license plates (for example, in case of an accident).

    Temporary numbers are issued for up to 20 days and allow you to drive legally while a duplicate is being prepared. Their main disadvantage is that you cannot travel outside the issuing region.

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    If you have lost both license plates, apply for temporary transit plates immediately - it’s cheaper than paying fines for driving without license plates (from RUB 5,000 for each trip).

    7. Frequently asked questions about duplicate numbers

    ❓ Is it possible to make a duplicate number if the original is stolen?

    No. If the number is listed in the stolen database, the traffic police will refuse to issue a duplicate until the search is lifted. You must first contact the police to report the theft and wait for the results of the inspection.

    ❓ How long does a duplicate license plate last?

    Duplicate has unlimited validity period — it completely replaces the original number. However, if you find the old number, you will not be able to use it: only a duplicate will remain in the traffic police database.

    ❓ Is it possible to order a duplicate online without visiting the traffic police?

    Partially. You can pay the state fee via Public services and make an appointment with the traffic police online, but you will still have to receive a duplicate in person. Some accredited centers (eg Gosznak) offer delivery of rooms by courier, but this is a paid service (from 500₽).

    ❓ What to do if the duplicate is lost again?

    You will have to apply to the traffic police again and pay the state fee. The number of duplicates is not limited, but frequent requests may arouse suspicion among inspectors (for example, if you lose numbers once a month).

    ❓ Is it possible to drive with one number plate if the second one is on a duplicate?

    No. According to clause 2 of the Basic Provisions of the Traffic Regulations, must be installed on the machine both license plates (front and rear). For missing one number - a fine 1 500₽ or warning.