Selling a car is often accompanied by the question: can I keep my state license plates? For many owners, numbers have sentimental value (for example, “nice” combinations), while others simply don’t want to spend the time decorating new ones. In 2026, the procedure for preserving license plates when selling a car in Russia is possible, but has strict rules and restrictions.
It is important to understand that saving license plates is not an automatic option, but a separate legal procedure that requires a visit to the traffic police department and payment of a state fee. In this article we will analyze all the nuances: from preservation conditions to step-by-step instructions, taking into account the latest changes in legislation. We will also find out what pitfalls may arise and how to avoid them.
Conditions for saving license plates when selling a car
According to Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 399 (current edition 2026), you can save license plates when selling a car only if three key conditions are met:
- 📜 The numbers must be assigned to you as an individual (not for the organization).
- 🚗 The car from which the license plates are removed must be sold or deregistered (not just rented or leased).
- ⏳ The saving procedure must be initiated until the car is registered to the new owner.
If at least one of the conditions is not met, the traffic police will refuse to save the license plates. For example, you cannot save the license plates if the car is transferred under a general power of attorney or remains your property (for example, when gifted to a relative).
In 2026, the maximum storage period for stored numbers is 365 days (previously it was 180 days). If you do not use the plates for another vehicle during this period, they will be cancelled.
Step-by-step instructions: how to keep your numbers in 2026
The procedure for saving numbers consists of 5 stages. Let's look at each in detail:
- Preparation of documents:
You will need:
- 📄 Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.
- 📋 Vehicle Registration Certificate (CTC) or extract from the Unified State Register of Real Estate (if STS is lost).
- 💰 Receipt for payment of state duty (800 rubles for maintaining the numbers + 2000 rubles for new signs for the buyer, if required).
- 📝 Purchase and sale agreement (SPA) in 3 copies.
- Visit to the traffic police department:
You need to contact any traffic police department (not necessarily at the place of registration of the car). Registration is carried out via State Services portal or by phone. When registering, select the service “Saving registration plates when deregistering a vehicle.”
- Filling out the application:
The department will give you an application form (Form No. 1). It must indicate:
- 🔢 Passport details.
- 🚘 Information about the car (VIN, license plate number, make/model).
- 📅 Date of sale.
- 🔄 Reason for preserving the license plates (“Preservation of registration plates upon alienation of the vehicle”).
A traffic police officer will check the documents, check the numbers with the database and issue:
- 📄 Certificate of preservation of registration plates (valid for 1 year).
- 📋 New STS and PTS with a mark of deregistration (for transfer to the buyer).
- Transfer of the car to the buyer:
The buyer must independently register the car with the traffic police within 10 days from the moment of purchase. You are obliged to give him the DCT, STS with a mark of deregistration and the keys.
Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation|Vehicle registration certificate (STS)|Receipt for payment of state duty (800 + 2000 rubles)|Purchase and sale agreement in 3 copies|Application on form No. 1-->
Duration of the procedure: if you have all the documents and free windows at the traffic police - from 1 to 3 hours. If you submit an application through State Services, you can save time by filling out the information in advance.
How much does it cost to keep license plates when selling a car?
The cost of maintaining numbers in 2026 consists of several state fees. Below is a table with current tariffs:
| Service | Cost (RUB) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Saving registration plates | 800 | Paid once upon application |
| Making new signs for the buyer | 2000 | If the buyer wants new numbers (optional) |
| Deregistration of a vehicle | 0 | Free when you save your numbers |
| Issuance of a certificate of preservation of numbers | 0 | Included in the cost of the basic state fee |
| Re-registration of license plates for a new car | 800 | Paid when installing saved numbers on another car |
Total minimum cost of the procedure - 800 rubles (if the buyer agrees to drive with old license plates before re-registration). Maximum - 2800 rubles (if the buyer needs new numbers).
Pay state fees through State Services with a 30% discount. To do this, select the “Electronic Payment” option when submitting your application.
Important: if you decide to install the saved plates on another car within a year, you will have to pay more 800 rubles for re-registration. If you don’t make it in time, the numbers will be canceled and the money will not be returned.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Even if the instructions are strictly followed, owners often make mistakes that lead to traffic police refusal or additional expenses. Let's look at the most common ones:
⚠️ Attention: If you have already deregistered the car without saving numbers, it is impossible to return them. The save procedure must be initiated up to deregistration or simultaneously with it.
- ❌ Trying to save numbers after sale:
Many people think that they can sell the car first and then keep the plates. This is not possible: the save is initialized before transfer of rights to the new owner.
- ❌ Failure to pay state duty for new buyer numbers:
If the buyer wants new plates, and you have not paid the state duty for them (2000 rubles), the traffic police will refuse to preserve the old plates.
- ❌ Errors in filling out the application:
A common mistake is indicating the wrong reason for preservation (for example, “loss of license plates” instead of “retention upon alienation of the vehicle”). This leads to refusal.
- ❌ Missing the deadline for re-registration by the buyer:
If the buyer does not register the car within 10 days, you may be refused to keep the license plates (since the car is listed as “in limbo”).
To avoid problems, agree on all the details with the buyer in advance:
- 🤝 Will he drive with old license plates or want new ones?
- 📅 Who is responsible for registering with the traffic police (you together or he alone).
- 💳 Who pays state duties (usually the seller pays for preservation, the buyer pays for new numbers).
Is it possible to save plates when selling a car on lease or trade-in?
Selling a car on lease or under a program trade-in has its own nuances. Let's look at both cases:
1. Lease sales
If you are selling a car to a leasing company, keep the numbers it's impossible. Reason: the leasing company becomes the new owner, and the numbers can only be assigned to an individual. The exception is if you are registering lease buyout with subsequent sale to a third party (then the procedure is standard).
2. Trade-in (exchange for a new car)
There are two possible scenarios here:
- 🔄 Exchange in one salon: If you buy a new car from the same dealer where you trade in your old one, you can keep the plates. To do this, the DCP must contain a clause on the preservation of signs, and the dealer must coordinate this with the traffic police.
- 🚗 Exchange in different salons: If you hand over your old car to one dealership and buy a new one from another, the procedure becomes more complicated. You will have to:
- Deregister an old car while keeping the license plates.
- Buy a new car.
- Install saved plates on a new car (within a year).
Important: when trading-in, dealers often offer a “simplified” scheme without saving numbers. Check in advance whether they are ready to complete the procedure according to all the rules.
What should I do if the dealer refuses to store the plates?
If the salon refuses to cooperate, you can:
1. Deregister the car yourself while saving the license plates up to trade-in.
2. Transfer the car to the dealer without license plates (but with a note in the title about preservation).
3. When buying a new car, ask the dealer to install your saved numbers.
Please note: not all salons agree to such an algorithm, as it requires additional actions on their part.
How to install saved license plates on a new car
If you have successfully saved the numbers, they can be installed on another vehicle within 365 days. The procedure includes the following steps:
- Buying a new car:
The new car must be registered in your name (an individual). If the car was purchased for an organization, you will not be able to install the saved license plates.
- Visit to the traffic police department:
You must contact any branch with a package of documents:
- 📄 Passport.
- 📋 Certificate of preservation of numbers.
- 🚗 PTS and STS for a new car.
- 💰 Receipt for payment of state duty (800 rubles).
In the application (form No. 2) indicate:
- 🔢 New car data (VIN, make/model).
- 📌 Numbers of the signs you want to install.
- 📅 Date of saving the numbers.
- Check and installation:
A traffic police officer will check the documents, check the numbers against the database and issue a new STS with your old numbers. The procedure takes about 1–2 hours.
If the new car already has license plates, they will have to be handed over to the traffic police (they will be disposed of). You cannot install saved signs on a car with valid license plates.
Alternative ways to “save” numbers
If for some reason it is impossible to officially save the numbers, the owners resort to alternative methods. Let's look at their pros and cons:
| Method | Pros | Cons | Legality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Re-registration to a relative | The numbers remain with the car, in fact - with you | Requires trust in a relative, problems are possible in case of an accident | Legal but risky |
| Registration of a general power of attorney | The car remains your property, the license plates do not change | The new “owner” can sell the car without your consent | Legal, but controversial from a security point of view |
| Purchasing duplicate numbers | Externally identical numbers | Illegal, fine up to 2500 rubles. (Article 12.2 of the Administrative Code) | Illegal |
| Buying “beautiful” numbers at auction | A legal way to get the desired combination | High cost (from 10,000 to 500,000 rubles) | Legal |
⚠️ Attention: The use of duplicate license plates (even if they are identical in appearance to the original ones) is equated to counterfeiting state signs and is punishable under this article 12.2 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (fine 2,500 rubles or deprivation of rights for 1–3 months).
The most reliable and legal way is to officially save the numbers through the traffic police. Alternative methods may involve legal risks or financial losses.
Official preservation of license plates through the traffic police is the only legal way to retain state marks after selling a car. All other methods are either illegal or involve risks.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to keep the license plates if the car is pledged to the bank?
No. If the car is pledged, it is listed as the property of the bank, and the license plates are assigned to the lender. You can save them only after the loan has been fully repaid and the encumbrance has been removed.
How many times can you save the same numbers?
The legislation does not limit the number of times the same numbers can be stored. The main thing is to keep within 365 days between saves and avoid cancellations.
Is it possible to keep the license plates if the car is stolen?
No. If the car is on the wanted list, any registration actions (including saving license plates) are prohibited until the vehicle is returned to the owner.
What to do if you have lost your license plate retention certificate?
You need to contact the traffic police department where the preservation was registered and write an application for the issuance of a duplicate. The state duty for a duplicate is 350 rubles.
Is it possible to keep the license plates when selling a car abroad?
No. When exporting a car outside the Russian Federation, the license plates must be submitted to the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate and cannot be saved.