The State Duma has put off voting on a bill in its first reading, choosing an indefinite date for further discussion. The measure, if enacted, would enable car owners to approach traffic police and request immediate deregistration of a vehicle following a sale. This development is reported by TASS, referencing a source within the chamber’s apparatus.
According to the proposed legislation, the seller can contact the registration department of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate to terminate the vehicle’s registration right after the sale is finalized, either through the official State Services portal or upon notarization of the transaction. This change would streamline the deregistration process and reduce delays that often occur when ownership transfers are completed, potentially cutting out extra steps for sellers who want to complete the process quickly and ensure the vehicle is no longer legally tied to them.
At present, the law envisions a 10-day window during which the new owner must complete registration. During this transitional period, the previous owner could still be liable for fines captured by cameras for violations committed by the new operator. Proponents of the bill, including Evgeniy Moskvichev, chairman of the State Duma Committee on the Development of Transport and Transport Infrastructure, argue that implementing this measure would protect sellers from having to appeal or dispute certain penalties issued after the transfer. The bill also contemplates removing the requirement to present a mandatory motor insurance policy (MTPL) when registering a car, a change that could simplify the registration process for both buyers and sellers and reduce administrative friction in vehicle ownership transitions.
Questions about how such changes will affect the broader system of vehicle registration, enforcement, and insurance remain. Analysts note that the proposed deregistration pathway would need to coordinate with regional bodies to prevent any ambiguous ownership status and ensure that the vehicle’s records reflect the sale promptly. If the bill advances, it could set a precedent for quicker, more transparent transitions of vehicle ownership, potentially reducing the opportunities for delays or disputes to arise after a sale. Observers also point out that any shift away from requiring MTPL documentation at the point of registration would require careful consideration of risk management and consumer protection, ensuring that buyers still obtain appropriate coverage while avoiding unnecessary administrative bottlenecks. (TASS)