Procedure deregistration vehicle ownership often raises many questions among car owners, especially when it comes to the desire to keep the current registration plates. Situations can be different: selling a car, recycling, exporting it abroad, or simply wanting to change the region of registration without changing the hardware on the body. The legislation of the Russian Federation provides such an opportunity, but the process requires a careful approach to details and correct filling out of documents.
You need to clearly understand that saving numbers is not an automatic process, but a separate administrative service that must be initiated before the car is actually deregistered. Errors at this stage can lead to the desired symbols going into the general traffic police pool, and it will be almost impossible to get them back. Therefore, preparation should begin long before the visit to the registration and examination department.
In this article we will analyze in detail all stages of the procedure, current requirements for the technical condition of the car for inspection and financial aspects related to state duties. You will learn how long the saved signs are valid and how to fill out the application correctly to avoid queues and repeated visits to the department.
Legislative basis and conditions of preservation
The legal framework governing the registration of vehicles is based on Order No. 399 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. It is this document that determines the procedure for changing ownership, recycling or exporting a car outside the country. According to current rules, the owner has the right keep state registration plates (GRZ) when deregistering a car, but only subject to the submission of an appropriate application.
It is important to note that the procedure is available only to the owner of the car. If you plan to deregister the car under a purchase and sale agreement, it is the seller who must take care of saving the license plates until the keys and documents are handed over to the buyer. The buyer, in turn, will receive a car without license plates or with transit signs, if the seller has not expressed a desire to keep the current ones.
⚠️ Attention: There is no automatic extension of the storage period for numbers. If you do not install your saved signs on another vehicle within the allotted time, they will be scrapped.
There are several scenarios in which this procedure is possible:
- 🚗 Selling a car to another person with the desire to keep the numbers for themselves.
- 🗑️ Disposal of a vehicle that cannot be restored.
- ✈️ Removal of the car outside the Russian Federation for permanent use.
- 🔄 Change of place of registration of the owner (moving to another region).
Each of these cases has its own nuances in filling out applications, but the principle of preserving license plates remains the same. The key point is to contact the traffic police in a timely manner before completing the deregistration procedure.
Preparing the car and documents for the procedure
Before visiting the traffic police, you must carefully prepare not only a package of documents, but also the car itself. A police officer is required to conduct vehicle inspection, checking the number units with the data in the PTS and STS. If the car is in a condition that does not allow it to reach the inspection site under its own power, a tow truck will be required.
The documentary part also requires attention. You will need the originals of the owner's passport, vehicle passport (PTS) and registration certificate (STS). If the owner is a legal entity, an extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities and a power of attorney for the representative will be required. The absence of any of the originals will result in refusal to accept the application.
☑️ Check before visiting the traffic police
Particular attention should be paid to the appearance of license plates. If they have damage, corrosion, peeling of the reflective film or creases, the inspector has the right to refuse to preserve them. In this case, you will be given new signs, and the old ones will be sent for melting down.
What to do if the numbers are damaged?
If one of the signs is damaged, but the second is in perfect condition, it will not be possible to save the “beautiful” pair. The set is always preserved or changed entirely. You will have to get new signs with a random set of characters.
Step-by-step instructions: submitting an application to the traffic police
The application process can be carried out in two ways: in person through the document acceptance window at the traffic police department or remotely through the State Services portal. The second option significantly saves time, allowing you to choose a convenient date and time for your visit, as well as fill out the electronic application form without manual errors.
During a personal visit, you need to go to the document acceptance window and inform the inspector of your desire to deregister the car while retaining the state registration plates. You will be given an application form, where in the appropriate box you need to put a mark to save the numbers. Be careful: if you forget to check this box, the plates will automatically remain on the car (when sold) or will be disposed of (when scrapped).
After checking the documents and successfully inspecting the car, the inspector will give you:
- 📄 An extract from the vehicle register (instead of the deregistered STS).
- 📝 Vehicle registration card.
- 🔢 State registration plates themselves (physically).
- 📃 Completed PTS form with a mark on deregistration.
It is important to immediately check all issued documents for errors. A typo in one letter or number can create problems when subsequently registering another vehicle using these numbers.
Financial expenses and state fees
The procedure for deregistration and retention of numbers is not free. The car owner will have to pay several government fees. The amount of payments is fixed and established by the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, but it may change, so it is better to check the current amounts immediately before payment.
The main expenses consist of the following items:
- 💰 State duty for issuing new license plates for a preserved car (if you sell a car, it needs new plates, since you take the old ones).
- 💰 State duty for making changes to the PTS.
- 💰 State duty for issuing a new STS (for the buyer, if the car is for sale).
Pay fees through the State Services portal using a bank card. This gives a 30% discount from the standard cost, which allows you to significantly save the procedure budget.
It is worth noting that if you deregister a car for disposal or export abroad, the issuance of new license plates for the removed car is not required, since it will no longer be used on the roads of the Russian Federation. In this case, you only pay for preserving the signs (if such a fee is introduced separately) and making changes to the documents, but the main cost item - printing new numbers - is eliminated.
Validity periods and storage of saved numbers
One of the most important issues is the period during which the saved numbers can be used. According to the latest changes in legislation, the validity period of a decision to maintain a state protection license is 360 days (previously this period was 180 days). This period begins to be calculated from the day the vehicle is deregistered.
During this year, you have every right to install the saved signs on any other vehicle that you own. This could be a new car from a showroom, a used car purchased later, or even a motorcycle (provided the type of vehicle matches, although motorcycles have their own number formats).
⚠️ Attention: Saved numbers cannot be transferred to another person, even a close relative. They are assigned exclusively to the owner who submitted the application. Selling or donating “beautiful” numbers is prohibited by law.
If within 360 days you have not managed to register a car with these numbers, the decision is canceled and the combination of symbols is returned to the general traffic police pool for subsequent issuance to other citizens. It is impossible to extend this period, so plan to purchase a new car in advance.
Comparison table for deregistration procedures
To better understand the differences in the procedure depending on the reason for withdrawal, consider a comparative table of key parameters. This will help you navigate the requirements faster.
| Parameter | Car sales | Disposal | Export abroad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car inspection | Required | Not required (if you have a disposal certificate) | Required |
| Saving numbers | Possible upon request | Possible upon request | Possible upon request |
| New license plates | Needed (for buyer) | Not needed | Transit or not needed |
| Shelf life of GRZ | 360 days | 360 days | 360 days |
As can be seen from the table, the main difference is the need for inspection and issuance of new numbers. When recycling, the process is simplified as much as possible, since the car ceases to exist as an object of use.
Common mistakes and ways to avoid them
Many car owners encounter problems due to simple carelessness. One of the most common mistakes is trying to save numbers that don't match. GOST R 50577-2018. If the inspector identifies a discrepancy in the type or size of the sign (for example, an attempt to maintain a US number or a non-standard size), the procedure will be denied.
Another common mistake is late submission of an application. Some try to arrange for the retention of license plates after the sale of the car or after the car has been inspected and the documents have been collected. At this moment it is too late to change anything: the status of the procedure is already recorded in the database.
The main rule: An application to preserve numbers is submitted ONLY at the time of submitting documents for deregistration. You cannot submit an application later or separately from this procedure.
It is also worth mentioning the risk of losing numbers due to technical problems. If you have removed the license plates from your car and keep them at home, keep an eye on their condition. Rust or mechanical damage received during storage may be grounds for refusal to install them on a new car at the next registration.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to keep the plates if I sold the car under a purchase and sale agreement, but did not deregister it?
No, in the modern registration system the seller does not deregister the car. This is done by the buyer when registering. If you want to keep the plates, you must deregister the car BEFORE the sale (having received new plates for it) or negotiate with the buyer, but legally the initiative must come from you before the car is transferred.
What should I do if I didn’t have time to put license plates on a new car within 360 days?
Unfortunately, in this case the combination of symbols is burned out. It is impossible to restore them or extend their storage period. You will have to register the car with random numbers or try to redeem the desired combination through the assignment procedure, if it is available in your region.
Do I need to take the car to the traffic police to keep the license plates when selling?
Yes, the vehicle must be presented for inspection so that the inspector can record current condition and verify the VIN number. Without inspection, the procedure for deregistration and preservation of signs is impossible.
Is it possible to save numbers if they are “transit”?
Transit license plates are issued for a limited period for moving a vehicle. It is impossible to save them as permanent registration plates, since they are not a permanent type of license plate. When deregistered, you will be given regular permanent numbers or the previous permanent numbers will be retained, if any.
Is it possible to keep the plates if the car is on loan or collateral?
You can save numbers, but only if you are the owner. However, it will not be possible to deregister the car (for example, for export abroad) without the permission of the mortgage bank. For sale, the procedure is standard, but the plates will remain on the car until the loan is repaid, unless the bank allows them to be replaced.
In conclusion, it is worth emphasizing that the procedure for preserving state registration plates is a convenient tool for those who value their license plates. Strict adherence to the instructions, proper preparation of documents and understanding of the deadlines will allow you to go through this process without any problems and use your favorite combination of numbers and letters on your new car.