Removing a car from registration while preserving the license plates through State Services: a complete guide

Introduction: why deregister a car while keeping the license plates?

Removing a car from registration while maintaining license plates is a procedure that allows the owner get rid of the car (for example, when selling, recycling or exporting abroad), but at the same time leave behind state registration plates. This is relevant if the numbers have emotional value (for example, a beautiful combination of numbers) or you plan to use them on another car.

Until 2021, saving numbers when deregistering was possible only with a personal visit to the traffic police. Now this procedure can be performed remotely through the State Services portal, which saves time and eliminates queues. However, there are nuances: not all cars are subject to such removal, and for some categories (for example, special equipment or motor transport) the rules are different.

In this article we will look at:

• 📋 Terms for deregistration while maintaining numbers in 2026
• 💻 Step by step instructions via State Services (with screenshots of key steps)
• ⏳ Timing and cost procedures, including state fees
• ⚠️ Common mistakes, due to which they may be refused to save numbers

Conditions for deregistration while maintaining numbers in 2026

Not every car can be deregistered while retaining its license plates. The traffic police establishes strict criteriathat must be observed:

• 🚗 Vehicle type: the procedure is only available for passenger cars, cargo up to 3.5 tons, motorcycles and trailers. For special equipment, buses or trucks over 3.5 tons, preservation of numbers impossible.
• 📄 No restrictions: should not be on the car arrests, collateral or finesblocking registration actions. You can check this through the service car history checks.
• 🔧 Technical condition: if the car disposed of or exported outside the Russian Federation, preservation of numbers is permitted. If the car sold, the new owner must re-register it in his name within 10 days - otherwise you will have to deregister the car without saving numbers.
• 💳 Payment of state duty: for storing numbers, a state fee is charged in the amount of 2,000 rubles (for 2026). If you deregister and get new plates for another vehicle at the same time, the cost may vary.

Important: if the car is wanted or has unpaid traffic police fines, the procedure will be blocked until the problems are resolved. It is also impossible to save numbers if they are damaged or lost - in this case you will have to order new ones.

Step-by-step instructions: how to deregister a car while saving the license plates through State Services

The procedure takes 10–15 minutes provided all documents are available. Follow the algorithm:

1. Log in on the portal State services (account level must be confirmed).
2. Go to section Transport and driving → Vehicle registration → Deregistration.
3. Select an option "With registration plates retained".
4. Fill in the details:
   • 📌 VIN number or body/chassis number
   • 📌 State registration plate (numbers you want to save)
   • 📌 Reason for deregistration (sale, disposal, export abroad)

Pay the state fee 2,000 rubles (there is a 30% discount on the portal when paying online - total 1,400 rubles).

Select remote traffic police department to obtain documents (if required).

Confirm the application and wait for notification of the status (usually 1–3 business days).

Once your application is approved, you will receive a notification in your personal State Services account. If you deregister a car for recycling or export abroad, no additional steps are required. If the car sold, the new owner must re-register it in his name within 10 days - otherwise you will have to contact the traffic police again.

Owner's passport|Vehicle registration certificate (STS)|PTS (vehicle passport)|Receipt for payment of state duty|Power of attorney (if you are acting through a representative)-->

Timing and cost of the procedure in 2026

Review of an application through State Services takes from 1 to 3 working days. In rare cases (for example, in case of technical failures or the need for additional verification), the period may increase to 5 days. If you paid the state fee online, the 30% discount is valid only when choosing electronic document (without visiting the traffic police).

Service	Cost (RUB)	Due date	Notes
Deregistration while maintaining numbers	1,400 (with discount)	1–3 days	30% discount when paying at State Services
Production of new numbers (if the old ones are lost)	2 000	5–7 days	No discount, a visit to the traffic police is required
Re-registration of license plates for another car	800	1 day	Only if numbers are stored for less than 180 days

If you plan to use the saved plates on another vehicle, remember: their shelf life is limited. By law, numbers can be “frozen” for 180 days. If during this time you do not re-register them for a new vehicle, they will be canceled and you will have to order new ones.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Many owners face refusals due to minor technical errors or ignorance of the nuances. Here are the most common problems:

• ❌ Unpaid fines: Even one unpaid fine blocks the procedure. Check them out on the website traffic police or through the service State services.
• ❌ Incorrect VIN or body number: An error in even one digit will result in a refusal. Check the data with PTS or STS.
• ❌ Expired OSAGO policy: Although insurance is not required for deregistration, its absence may raise questions for the inspector during the inspection.
• ❌ Trying to save numbers for special equipment: As mentioned earlier, for tractors, excavators or buses this is impossible.

⚠️ Attention: If you deregister a car for recycling, but actually selling it “for spare parts”, this can be regarded as fraud. The traffic police has the right to cancel saved numbers and impose a fine up to 5,000 rubles.

Another common mistake is an attempt to save numbers that have already been re-registered to another owner. For example, if you sold a car, but the new owner managed to register it with his license plates, it will be impossible to return the old plates.

What to do after deregistration?

After successfully deregistering the car while keeping the license plates, you need to:

1. Receive email notification from the traffic police (comes to the personal account of the State Services). It will indicate:
   • 📄 Number of the decision on deregistration
   • 📅 Date until which the number storage is valid (180 days)
   • 🚫 Reason for withdrawal (disposal, sale, etc.)

If you sold the car, make sure that the buyer re-registers it in his name. To do this, check the status of the vehicle through the service car history checks.

If you are planning use plates on another car, prepare documents for re-registration:

• 📋 Passport
• 📋 PTS of a new car
• 📋 Receipt for payment of state duty (800 rubles)
• 📋 Old numbers (if you have them on hand)

If within 180 days you didn't use the saved numbers, they are automatically canceled, and you will have to order new ones. It is impossible to restore them after this.

Is it possible to extend the shelf life of numbers?

No, the storage period for numbers (180 days) cannot be extended. If you did not manage to re-register them for another car, you will have to order new ones. The exception is if you submit an application for re-registration 1-2 days before the expiration date, but in this case it is better not to risk it and do everything in advance.

Special cases: disposal, export abroad, loss of documents

The procedure for deregistration while maintaining numbers has nuances depending on the reason:

1. Vehicle disposal

If the car is sent to recycling, you will need:

• 📄 Agreement with the recycling center (must be accredited by the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate).
• 📄 Recycling act (provided by the center).

In this case, the numbers can be saved, but only if the car is not the subject of collateral.

2. Taking the car abroad

To export a car outside the Russian Federation:

• 📄 Sales and purchase agreement (if the car is sold to a foreigner).
• 📄 Customs declaration (issued at the border).

Number plates can be saved, but only if the car will not be used abroad (for example, if it is removed for repair or temporary use).

3. Loss of documents (PTS, STS)

If you are lost PTS or STS, first restore them through the traffic police or MFC. Without these documents deregistration impossible, even through State Services.

⚠️ Attention: If the car was hijacked or is wanted, deregistration while retaining numbers is prohibited. In this case, the license plates are automatically canceled and the car is put on the wanted list.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to keep the license plates if the car is pawned?

No, if the car is pledged to the bank, keep the numbers when deregistering it's impossible. First you need to repay the loan and remove the encumbrance.

How many times can you save the same numbers?

The law does not limit the number of times you can save the same numbers, but you will have to pay a state fee each time 2,000 rubles (or 1,400 rubles with a discount at State Services).

Is it possible to keep the license plates if the car is sold under a general power of attorney?

No, if the car is sold under a general power of attorney (without re-registration), keep the license plates it's impossible. In this case, the car can be deregistered only without saving the signs.

What to do if there is an error in the VIN in the application for State Services?

If you have already submitted an application with an error, you can recall in your personal account and resubmit. If payment has already been made, the money will be returned to your account within 5–7 days.

Is it possible to keep the plates if the car is trade-in?

Yes, but only if the dealer agrees to such a scheme. Usually when trade-in the car is deregistered without retaining the license plates, as the dealer re-registers it in his name.

💡

Saving numbers through State Services is the fastest and cheapest way (1,400 rubles with a discount), but requires careful filling of data. The main thing is to check that there are no fines or restrictions before submitting your application!