The State Duma has taken a significant step in reforming vehicle deregistration by approving in the first reading a bill that would permit current vehicle owners to request immediate deregistration from the traffic police exactly after a sale is completed. This approach, as reported by TASS, aims to streamline the process and reduce friction for people finalizing a vehicle transaction, ensuring the deregistration record reflects the new ownership without unnecessary delay.
Under the proposed changes, the former owner of a vehicle would be able to apply for termination of registration with the registration department of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate as soon as a sale is finalized. The application could be submitted through the State Services portal or upon notarization of the sale, making the transition smoother and faster for both parties involved. This means that rather than waiting for the buyer to complete formalities and for the registration office to catch up, deregistration could occur promptly, removing lingering administrative ties to the vehicle from the seller’s record.
At present, while the new owner receives a 10-day window to register the vehicle, the former owner could still face penalties captured by traffic cameras for violations committed by the new owner during that interval. The bill’s sponsor, Evgeny Moskvichev, who chairs the State Duma Committee on Transport and Transport Infrastructure Development, argues that implementing this measure would relieve drivers from the frustration of dealing with fines incurred after a sale but before the vehicle changes hands on official records. In conversations around the bill, he also suggested that this change aligns with practical driving realities and reduces unnecessary administrative bickering between sellers and buyers when a deal has already been completed. The proposal, if enacted, would place greater emphasis on ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of registration data, ultimately benefiting the overall management of vehicle records and the enforcement ecosystem. (Source: TASS)
There was also discussion indicating that the MTPL policy, commonly required at the time of registration checks, might become optional when presenting at traffic police offices as part of the streamlined deregistration process. Advocates of this change point to the potential for a simpler, more user-friendly experience for motorists, while officials emphasize the need to preserve essential insurance coverage and regulatory oversight. The outcome of these deliberations could influence how insurers coordinate with authorities and how drivers manage their obligations during the immediate post-sale period. As the legislative process continues, stakeholders are watching closely to see whether the proposed deregistration timing and any insurance-related adjustments will harmonize with existing procedures and safeguard against gaps in liability coverage. (Source: TASS)