Combination 555 on license plates has long become a symbol of status, good luck and even superstition among car owners. These three A's don't just make the car stand out in traffic - they attract glances, arouse envy and often become a source of pride. But how much do such numbers actually cost in 2026? Spoiler: prices may vary tenfold depending on the method of receipt.
In this article, we will look at all the legal (and not so legal) ways to purchase plates with triple five: from official traffic police auctions to purchases on the secondary market. You'll find out why numbers 555 in Moscow and St. Petersburg they are many times more expensive than in the regions, what pitfalls await you when re-registering, and how to avoid running into scammers. And also - real stories of owners who paid for such numbers from 50 thousand to 2 million rubles.
Official traffic police auctions: how it works and how much it costs
The most legal way to get beautiful numbers 555 — participate in auctions that are regularly held by the traffic police through the platform gibdd.ru. The so-called "special registration plates" — combinations that were not previously issued or were returned to the fund.
The process looks like this:
- 🔍 Search for lots: A list of available numbers is published on the traffic police website (usually once every 1-2 months). Combinations with
555appear extremely rarely - they are played out in a matter of minutes. - 💰 Starting price: for the Moscow region starts from 300–500 thousand rubles, in the regions - from 100–200 thousand. But the total amount often exceeds 1–1.5 million rubles due to high competition.
- ⏳ Deadlines: After winning the auction, numbers will be issued within 10 working days. They can be placed on any car registered to the winner.
An important nuance: only clean numbers, that is, those that were never used or were returned to the state. This ensures that they do not have a “dark past” (for example, links to stolen cars or debts).
Prices for numbers 555 in the regions: table by city
Cost numbers from 555 depends greatly on the region. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, the demand for beautiful combinations is many times higher, which is why the prices are high. In the regions, you can find more affordable options - especially when it comes to buying “from hand”.
Below are the current prices for 2026 (according to auctions and the secondary market):
| Region | Starting price at auction (₽) | Average purchase price (₽) | Maximum fixed price (₽) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moscow (77, 97, 99, 177, 197, 199) | 400 000 – 600 000 | 800 000 – 1 200 000 | 2,100,000 (2023 auction) |
| St. Petersburg (78, 98, 178) | 300 000 – 500 000 | 600 000 – 900 000 | 1,500,000 (private transaction) |
| Ekaterinburg (66, 96) | 150 000 – 250 000 | 300 000 – 500 000 | 700 000 |
| Novosibirsk (54, 154) | 120 000 – 200 000 | 250 000 – 400 000 | 550 000 |
| Krasnodar (23, 93, 123) | 180 000 – 280 000 | 350 000 – 600 000 | 800 000 |
Please note: prices on the secondary market may be lower than at auctions, but there are risks. For example, the numbers could be "dirty" (tied to stolen cars, debts on fines or loans). Be sure to check the history of such numbers!
Before purchasing numbers with 555 on the secondary market, ask the seller for an extract from the traffic police about the absence of restrictions. This can be done online via traffic police portal by VIN or license plate number.
Buying 555 numbers "from hand": risks and how to avoid them
Many car owners are trying to save money and buy numbers 555 on the secondary market - through Avito, Telegram chats or friends. It may indeed be cheaper, but there are a lot of pitfalls here.
Main risks:
- ⚠️ Link to stolen cars: if the previous owner of the numbers was involved in the theft, new numbers may be blocked.
- ⚠️ Debts due to fines: along with the numbers, all unpaid fines of the previous owner are transferred to you.
- ⚠️ Fraud: They often sell counterfeit numbers or ones that have already been sold to another buyer.
- ⚠️ Problems with re-registration: The traffic police may refuse registration if the license plates were obtained illegally.
How to minimize risks?
- Check the numbers through the service car history checks (enter the license plate number in the search field).
- Conclude a purchase and sale agreement indicating the series and numbers of signs. Without documents, the transaction is considered invalid.
- Pay through the bank with a check - this will confirm that the money has been transferred.
What happens if you buy 555 numbers with a “dark history”?
If the license plates were linked to a stolen car or have unpaid fines, the traffic police may cancel the registration. In the worst case, you will have to return the numbers and get new ones - without a beautiful combination. In addition, if it turns out that you knew about the fraud, problems with the law may arise (Article 327 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - forgery of documents).
How much do 555 numbers cost on the black market (and why is it dangerous)
The Internet is full of sentences like "Buy/sell numbers 555 cheap". Most often we are talking about illegal schemes: forgery of documents, bribes in the traffic police or the use of “gray” databases. Prices here can be temptingly low - from 50 to 150 thousand rubles, but the consequences bite much more strongly.
How scammers work:
- 🕵️ Fake PTS: you are given license plates associated with a non-existent car. At the first traffic police check, everything will be revealed.
- 🔄 Interchange of numbers: crime workshops are altering the numbers on old signs. This is criminally punishable (Article 326 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
- 💸 Bribes: They promise to “resolve the issue” for money, but after payment they disappear or issue false documents.
In 2023, 12 criminal cases were opened in Moscow for the sale of counterfeit numbers with “beautiful” combinations. The average term is up to 2 years in prison.
⚠️ Attention: If you are offered numbers 555 without participating in an auction and at a price below 200 thousand rubles, this is almost certainly a scam. The traffic police has not issued fancy license plates “through pull” since 2013, when the electronic auction system was introduced.
How to legally get 555 numbers without an auction: alternative methods
If you have no desire or budget to participate in auctions, there are several legal ways to get numbers starting from 555, albeit not immediately:
1. Waiting for free combinations
In some regions (for example, in new constituent entities of the Russian Federation or sparsely populated areas) there are still undistributed numbers with 555. You can submit an application to the traffic police to receive a sign with the desired combination. The chances are slim, but sometimes you get lucky.
2. Buying a car with ready-made license plates
Some owners sell cars with nice license plates. For example, on Avito you can find ads like "Selling BMW X5 with numbers A555AA 77". The price of the car will be inflated by the cost of the plates (usually +300–500 thousand), but it is still cheaper than buying them separately.
3. Exchange of numbers through the traffic police
If you already have a car with ordinary license plates, you can try to exchange them for beautiful ones through MREO. To do this you need:
- Write a statement about your desire to change numbers.
- Pay the state fee (2,000 rubles).
- If there is a free combination 555 in the database, they will give it to you.
This method has a drawback: in popular regions (Moscow, St. Petersburg) there are no longer free 555, and in the rest you will have to wait for months.
Check the history of the license plates through the traffic police|Make sure that the seller is the owner of the license plates (compare with the PTS)|Request a sales contract indicating the license plate number|Pay through the bank and keep the receipt-->
Is it worth overpaying for 555 numbers: pros and cons
Beautiful rooms are not only status, but also additional troubles. Before spending hundreds of thousands, weigh the pros and cons.
Pros of numbers 555:
- 🚗 Recognition: your car will be remembered (useful for business or personal brand).
- 💰 Investment: over time, rooms may increase in price (especially Moscow and St. Petersburg).
- 🎲 Superstitions: many believe that 555 brings good luck (although this is subjective).
Cons:
- 🚨 Attention traffic police: Cars with nice license plates are more likely to be stopped for inspection.
- 💸 Expensive insurance: Some insurance companies increase CASCO for cars with “elite” license plates.
- 🔄 Difficulties when selling: if you decide to sell a car without license plates, they will have to be deregistered (and this is an additional expense).
According to the experience of the owners, numbers 555 are justified only if:
- You plan to use the car for a long time (5+ years).
- Reputation or image is important to you (for example, you are a businessman or blogger).
- Are you ready for additional roadside checks?
555 numbers are not just an accessory, but a long-term investment. If you are not ready to spend 500+ thousand rubles and put up with increased attention on the road, it is better to consider other beautiful combinations (for example, 777, 888 or mirror numbers).
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about 555 numbers
Is it possible to put 555 plates on any car?
Yes, but only if you own them. The numbers are tied to the person, not the car. You can transfer them to any of your cars by submitting an application to the traffic police.
What happens if I buy plates 555 and then sell the car?
You can keep the numbers for yourself by deregistering them before selling the car. To do this, you need to write an application to the traffic police and pay the state fee (2,000 rubles). The buyer will receive new license plates for the car separately.
Is it true that numbers 555 bring good luck?
This superstition has no evidence. However, many owners note that with such numbers they are less likely to be fined (perhaps because inspectors also believe in omens). But they definitely attract attention on the road!
Is it possible to order 555 numbers through friends at the traffic police?
No, that's impossible. Since 2013, all beautiful numbers are sold only through auctions. Any offer to “resolve the issue” for a bribe is a fraud.
How long does it take to re-register 555 numbers?
If you win the auction - up to 10 business days. If you buy on the secondary market - from 1 to 5 days (depending on the speed of checking documents at the traffic police).