Removing a license plate from a car: when to do it and how to do it correctly

Removing a license plate from a car: when is it required and what risks does it entail?

Removing state registration plates from a car is a procedure that seems simple only at first glance. In practice, it is associated with legal subtleties, fines for violating the rules, and even the risk of being left without a vehicle. In 2026, the procedure for removing license plates will be regulated By Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399 and Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, and errors in registration can lead to problems when selling, disposing of or re-registering a car.

Many owners wonder: is it possible to simply unscrew the license plates and drive without them? The answer is clear - no, this qualifies as driving a vehicle in violation of registration rules (Article 12.2 of the Administrative Code, a fine of 500–800 rubles or deprivation of rights for 1–3 months). Even if the car is in a garage, the plates must be in place until the official deregistration procedure is completed. An exception is cases of theft or damage to signs, but even here, immediate notification to the traffic police is required.

In this article, we will analyze all the legal grounds for removing numbers, a step-by-step algorithm of actions, necessary documents and typical mistakes that lead to fines. Let us separately dwell on the nuances for cars with electronic PTS, credit cars and vehicles subject to recycling.

Legal grounds for removing license plates

State registration plates are not just metal plates, but a document of strict accountability. Their removal is allowed only in a limited number of cases provided for by law. Here is a complete list of reasons:

• 📄 Selling a car — license plates are removed for transfer to the new owner (if he wants to keep them) or for return to the traffic police upon termination of registration.
• ♻️ Vehicle disposal — mandatory removal of license plates before scrapping a car (even if it is not running).
• 🔄 Re-registration — replacement of numbers at the request of the owner (for example, when purchasing a “beautiful” number).
• 🚨 Theft or damage — if the numbers are stolen or they become unreadable, they need to be replaced.
• 📝 Change of ownership without sale (donation, inheritance) - numbers can be reissued or removed.
• 🚗 Car removal outside the Russian Federation — temporary or permanent deregistration.

Important: if you rent rooms for sale, but do not plan to transfer them to the buyer, they must be submitted to the traffic police within 10 days. Otherwise, you will be charged fines for “non-payment of transport tax” and other obligations associated with the car.

⚠️ Attention! Removing license plates from a car that is pledged to the bank requires the written consent of the lender. Without this document, the traffic police will refuse to carry out the procedure.

Step-by-step instructions: how to remove license plates from a car in 2026

The procedure for removing license plates depends on the reason, but the general algorithm looks like this:

1. Preparation of documents — collect a package of papers (list below).
2. Contacting the traffic police - in person or through Public services (if available for your case).
3. Submitting an application — fill out the form provided by the inspector.
4. Removal of numbers - in the presence of a traffic police officer (if required).
5. Receiving documents — certificate of deregistration or new numbers (if replaced).

Let's look at each stage in more detail.

1. What documents are needed

The basic package of documents includes:

• 📋 Owner’s passport (or power of attorney if a representative is acting).
• 🚗 PTS (vehicle passport) - original and copy.
• 📄 Vehicle Registration Certificate (CTC).
• 🔑 Car keys (if it is provided for inspection).
• 💰 Receipt for payment of state duty (if replacement of numbers is required).

Additionally you may need:

• 📝 Purchase and sale agreement (upon sale).
• 📃 Certificate from the bank (if the car is on credit).
• 📑 Disposal documents (if the car is scrapped).

2. Where to contact

Rooms can be rented at:

• 🏛️ Any traffic police department - regardless of the place of registration of the car (from 2021).
• 💻 Through State Services — for some cases (for example, deregistration for disposal).
• 📱 MFC - only for submitting documents, final registration still takes place at the traffic police.

If you are renting rooms when selling, it is more convenient to do this together with the buyer in one window. This will allow you to immediately re-register the car to the new owner and avoid problems with pending fines.

3. How much does the procedure cost?

The cost depends on the reason for renting the rooms:

Reason for withdrawal	State duty (2026)	Deadlines
Deregistration for disposal	350 rub. (for issuing a certificate)	1 day
Replacement of numbers at the request of the owner	2,000 rub. (for new signs) + 850 rub. (for STS)	1–3 days
Removal of numbers upon sale (without replacement)	Free	1 day
Recovering lost/damaged numbers	2,000 rub. (for new signs)	1–5 days

You can pay the state fee through Public services (with a 30% discount) or at the bank. Payment details will be provided to the traffic police.

What to do with numbers after withdrawal

Once the numbers are taken, you have three options:

1. Transfer to buyer - if he wants to keep his old numbers (allowed since 2013).
2. Hand it over to the traffic police - if the numbers are not transferred to the new owner.
3. Keep it for yourself — if you plan to install them on another car (allowed within 180 days).

If you chose the second or third option, be sure to get it from the traffic police certificate of deregistration (form No. 1). Without this document you will not be able to:

• 🚫 Prove that the car is no longer yours (in case of fines or accidents).
• 🚫 Stop charging transport tax.
• 🚫 Avoid liability for environmental fees (during disposal).

⚠️ Attention! If you removed the license plates for recycling, but did not hand them over to the traffic police, and the car turned out to be not recycled (for example, it was restored and sold), all fines and taxes will remain on you. Check the car status through the service vehicle history checks.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners make mistakes when removing license plates. Here are the most common:

• ❌ They don’t check fines before withdrawing them — if there are unpaid fines on the car, the traffic police may refuse to carry out the procedure.
• ❌ The car is not deregistered upon sale — if the buyer has not re-registered the car, all responsibilities remain with the previous owner.
• ❌ They lose the certificate of deregistration - without it, it is impossible to prove that the car is no longer yours.
• ❌ They do not notify the traffic police about the theft of license plates — if the license plates are stolen, you need to write a statement to the police and traffic police within 24 hours.

To avoid problems:

1. Before renting rooms, check the fines on the website traffic police or through Public services.
2. If you are selling a car, register the transaction through a notary or the traffic police - this will protect you from fraud.
3. Keep the deregistration certificate in a safe place (preferably in electronic form + a paper original).
4. If the numbers are damaged, do not try to “correct” them - this is classified as forgery of documents (Article 327 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

What happens if you don’t rent the rooms when selling?

If you sold the car but did not deregister it, all fines, taxes and even criminal liability (for example, if the new owner causes an accident with victims) will remain with you. To rectify the situation, submit an application to the traffic police to terminate registration due to “lack of legal grounds for owning a vehicle.”

Features for cars with electronic PTS

Since 2021, Russia has been actively implementing electronic PTS (ePTS). If your car was manufactured after 2018, it most likely already has an ePTS. In this case, the procedure for removing numbers has nuances:

• 📱 No need to provide a paper PTS — all data is checked through the system EPTS.
• 🔐 You will need access to your personal account on Public services — ePTS data is stored there.
• ⚡ The procedure is faster — there is no need to wait for documents to be verified.
• 📎 Notarization is not required - an electronic signature is sufficient.

However, there are also pitfalls:

• If the ePTS is not synchronized with the traffic police database, additional time may be required to troubleshoot problems.
• When selling a car with an EPTS, be sure to check that the buyer has access to State services - otherwise he will not be able to re-register the car.

To check whether your car has an ePTS, use the service epts.rf or request information from the traffic police.

💡

Cars with ePTS are deregistered faster, but require mandatory verification of data synchronization in the traffic police system.

Frequently asked questions about removing license plates

Is it possible to remove license plates from a car if it is on credit?

Yes, but only with the written consent of the bank. Without this document, the traffic police will refuse to carry out the procedure. Banks usually agree if the loan is almost repaid or the car is sold with their knowledge.

How long does it take to rent rooms after the sale?

The law does not set strict deadlines, but it is recommended to do this within 10 days. If the buyer has not re-registered the car in his name, you can apply to terminate the registration unilaterally.

Is it possible to drive without license plates if they have been removed for replacement?

No, this is prohibited. If you have removed the plates for replacement, you will be given a temporary registration plate (for 20 days) that needs to be installed on the car.

What to do if your numbers are stolen?

Immediately contact the police (statement of theft) and the traffic police (application for issuing new license plates). You won't be issued a temporary plate, but there will be no fines for driving without plates if you have proof of theft.

Is it possible to return old numbers after cancellation?

Yes, if you handed them over to the traffic police for storage. Shelf life - 180 days. After this, the numbers are destroyed.