The procedure for selling a car in Russia has undergone significant changes in recent years, becoming more transparent and convenient for citizens. One of the key advantages of the modern system is the ability to reserve state registration plate (GRZ) upon alienation of a vehicle. Previously, this required a physical visit to the traffic police, filling out paper applications and long queues, which took a lot of time and nerves. Today, the digitalization of government services makes it possible to initiate this process remotely, without leaving home.
Preserving license plates is not just a whim, but often a necessity for owners who want to keep the “nice” or just familiar combinations of numbers and letters for a new car. State Services Portal acts as a single window through which you can submit an application for assignment of license plates, pay the state fee and sign up for a convenient time at the traffic police department. This significantly simplifies interaction with the bureaucratic apparatus and minimizes the risk of errors when filling out documents.
It is important to understand that the number preservation service itself is free in terms of portal tariffs, however, for issuing new plates and making changes to documents, you will have to pay the fees established by the state. The process requires care when entering vehicle and personal information. Any inaccuracy may lead to refusal to accept the application or the need to repeat the procedure, so preparation should be approached responsibly.
Legislative framework and new rules for 2026-2026
The main document regulating the procedure for registering vehicles and maintaining license plates is Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 399. It was this regulatory act that secured the right of citizens to retain their license plate when selling a car without a mandatory trip to the traffic police to “hand over” the license plates to the archives. Now the numbers are automatically sent for storage to the department’s database for up to one year.
In 2026 and 2026, the rules remain stable, but law enforcement agencies have increased control over whether documents match real data. Electronic PTS (Vehicle Passport) becomes standard, and all actions with license plates are synchronized with a digital database. This means that information about the reserved number is instantly available to any police officer during a check, and is also visible when trying to register a new car.
⚠️ Attention: The storage period for the reserved number is exactly 365 days. If during this period you do not register it for a new car, the combination burns out and goes into the general database for reuse by other citizens. It is not possible to extend the shelf life.
The legislation also clearly separates the concepts of “preservation” and “restoration”. Saving occurs at the time of deregistration (usually upon sale), and restoration occurs when registering a new car. State duties the fees for these actions are fixed and do not depend on the owner's region of registration, although the cost of producing the physical plates themselves may vary depending on the manufacturer chosen.
Check to see if your car is under lien or impound before submitting your application. The presence of restrictions makes any registration actions impossible, including saving numbers.
Required documents to apply online
To successfully complete the procedure through the portal, you must prepare digital copies or originals of certain documents in advance. The basis is passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation the applicant, whose data must be current and coincide with those indicated in the Ministry of Internal Affairs database. If the owner is a legal entity, an electronic digital signature and a power of attorney for the representative will be required.
The key document for the car is STS (Vehicle Registration Certificate) and, if available, a paper PTS. In the case of electronic PTS, the system itself will pull up the data, but the owner is recommended to have an extract from the EPTS on hand to verify the VIN code and body number. You will also need a compulsory motor liability insurance policy valid at the time of filing the application, although formally it is required rather for the subsequent registration of a new car, its presence confirms the legality of using the car.
- 📄 Vehicle passport (original or extract from EPTS)
- 🆔 Vehicle Registration Certificate (TCC)
- 🛂 Car owner’s passport
- 💳 Bank card for paying state fees
It is important that all documents are readable, and photographs (if uploading scans are required) are clear. Sales and purchase agreement (DKP) at the time of submitting an application to preserve the number through State Services is usually not required, since you are submitting an application to change the registration data of the current car before selling it. However, the DCT itself will become the basis for deregistration of the car, so it must be completed correctly.
Step-by-step instructions: how to apply for State Services
The application process on the portal is intuitive, but requires sequential steps. First, you need to log in to your personal account using a verified account. Then in the service catalog you should select the “Transport and Driving” section and find the “Vehicle Registration” service.
In the menu that opens, you need to select the item “Change registration data” and then “Receive STS, PTS or registration plates to replace lost or deteriorating ones” (the wording may change slightly, look for the option related to change of owner data or issuing new numbers). The system will prompt you to fill out an electronic application, where your personal data will be automatically uploaded.
☑️ Check before shipping
When filling out the form, pay special attention to the field where you are asked about the need to issue new license plates. You must select the "Required" or "Keep current numbers for yourself" option. The system will automatically generate an application for assigning new license plates to the vehicle, and the old ones will go into reserve. After filling out all the fields, the application will be sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for verification.
Sequence of actions in the menu:1. Service catalog -> Transport and driving
2. Vehicle registration -> Changing registration data
3. Changing owner data -> Obtaining new numbers
4. Filling out an application -> Payment -> Registration with the traffic police
Cost of service and payment of state duties
The financial side of the issue is one of the main motivators for using electronic services. When submitting an application through the portal Government services Until recently, there was a 30% discount on state fees. However, in 2026, the legislation changed and the discount was abolished. However, paying online remains more convenient and faster.
The cost consists of several components. First of all, this is the issuance of new registration plates (if you change them to new ones, leaving the old ones in the archive) and making changes to the STS and PTS. If you simply save the number, but do not change it right now (which is technically difficult to implement without issuing new hardware to replace the old ones at the time of sale), then only making changes is paid.
| Type of service | Cost (RUB) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance of new license plates (metal) | 2 000 | Paid when changing numbers |
| Making changes to the STS | 500 | Required when changing numbers |
| Making changes to the PTS (paper) | 350 | If you have a paper passport |
| Issuance of a new PTS | 800 | If you run out of space in the old |
You can pay fees by credit card directly on the portal, through SBP or from your mobile phone balance. The payment receipt is automatically saved in your personal account and is available for printing or showing to a traffic police officer in electronic form. Payment receipt is a mandatory document to complete the procedure.
What to do if the payment has not gone through?
If the money has been written off, but the status of the application has not changed, do not rush to pay again. Wait 24 hours - the State Services system and the treasury may synchronize with a delay. If after 24 hours the status is “Waiting for payment”, contact the portal’s technical support with a screenshot of the transaction.
Visit to the traffic police: registration and receipt of documents
Submitting an application online does not exempt you from visiting the registration and examination department, but makes it much shorter. You choose a convenient time and a specific traffic police department while filling out the form on the portal. It is not necessary to arrive strictly at the time indicated on the ticket - you should be accepted through the electronic queue, even if you are late within reason.
On the appointed day, you must appear at the traffic police in the car whose license plate you are changing (saving). The car must be presented for inspection so that the inspector can check VIN code, engine and body number with data in documents. This is a critical step: if the numbers on the body are not legible or there are signs of corrosion/interference, additional examination may be required.
- 🚗 The car must be clean so that the inspector can read the markings
- 📝 Printed application (you don’t have to print it, it’s in the database)
- 💳 Receipts for payment of state fees
- 🆔 Passport and original documents for the car
After a successful inspection and verification of documents, you will be given new numbers (which you may immediately hand over if the purpose was only for reservation, but technically the procedure requires the issuance of new ones), a new STS and a mark in the PTS. The old numbers (those that you saved) are now listed in the database for you. It is important to check all the data on freshly issued documents without leaving the window.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to remove old license plates yourself before visiting the traffic police. Dismantled license plates must be handed over to the inspector or installed on the car for inspection, depending on the internal regulations of a particular department. Please check this point when registering.
How to restore a saved number to a new car
When you purchase a new car (or decide to return the old license plate to your current car), the restoration procedure will be reversed. Again, an application for vehicle registration is submitted through the State Services portal, but in the section on numbers, the option “Enter a previously assigned registration plate” is selected. The system will ask you to enter the saved combination.
A check will automatically occur: whether the storage period is still valid (365 days) and whether the number is busy. If everything is in order, the application will be accepted. You will be assigned a time to visit the traffic police, where after paying state fees for issuing plates and making changes to documents, you will receive the desired numbers in your hands. Recovery process also requires a new vehicle inspection.
It is worth noting that the region on the saved number must match the region of registration of the owner. If you have changed your registration, the region code on the number may become irrelevant for installation on a new car registered in another constituent entity of the Russian Federation, although the rules allow some exceptions while maintaining the “native” number of the owner.
Keeping the plate gives you the right to use this combination on any vehicle you own for a year, but the region of the plate must match your current registration at the place of residence.
Is it possible to keep the number if the car is stolen or arrested?
No, that's impossible. Any registration actions, including changing license plates and saving state licenses, are blocked if there are prohibitions from bailiffs, customs authorities, or if the car is on the wanted list. First you need to remove all restrictions.
What happens if I sell my car without saving the license plate?
When selling under a purchase and sale agreement (SPA), the plates automatically remain on the car and pass to the new owner, unless you specifically initiated the procedure for preserving/replacing them before the transaction. To keep the number for yourself, you need to “burn bridges” - get new numbers for your car before selling it, sending the old ones to the archives.
Do I need to change my PTS while keeping my number?
If the PTS is paper and there is no space for entries, it will be replaced with a new one. If there are places, they will simply put a mark on the issuance of new licenses. In the case of EPTS, all changes are recorded electronically, and the paper statement is updated upon request.
Is it possible to save a number through the MFC?
MFCs act as intermediaries and accept documents, but the service itself of assigning and storing numbers, as well as issuing hardware, is carried out only by the traffic police. To save the number, a visit to the traffic police (even by appointment through State Services) is required, since an inspection of the vehicle is required.