In a move that could reshape the market for personalized vehicle numbers, Anton Tkachev, a senior member of Russia’s State Duma Information Policy Committee, urged Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to authorize auctions for selling “beautiful” license plates through the State Services portal. The proposal, reported by RIA News, envisions auctions as the legitimate channel to acquire plate numbers that are aesthetically appealing because of their character combinations, rather than relying on unofficial means that sometimes exploit demand for distinctive plates.
The deputy suggested that government action should not stop at permitting auctions alone. He called for a concrete provision that would enable owners who acquire a “nice” combination to recoup their investment by selling it if the buyer later finds the number unnecessary or falls out of the market. This approach, he argued, would help integrate a previously informal market into a regulated framework, reducing the share of shadow transactions and providing clarity for both buyers and sellers. The concept hinges on creating clear auction rules, transparent pricing, and robust verification to ensure that the process remains fair and auditable across different regions and agencies.
At present, Tkachev noted, the legal framework does not authorize obtaining a license plate with a particular symbolic sequence through formal channels, which drives demand toward unofficial services. By shifting distribution to a state-managed auction system, the country could curb illicit market activity, establish consistent valuation methods, and align personalized plate incentives with public administration standards. This perspective comes as authorities continually refine road-use regulations and vehicle-related procedures. In related development, updates to the Rules of the Road are under consideration, including further reforms to testing and driver licensing processes, to reflect contemporary safety and administrative needs while maintaining integrity across the system.