In Russia, driving a car without the Russian flag on the license plate has been equated to driving a vehicle (ТС) with non-standard license plates. Drivers who do not have the tricolor on their license plate will be required to pay a fine (according to Part 1 of Article 12.2 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation) in the amount of 500 rubles.
This requirement applies to all new registrations and re-registrations of vehicles. At the same time, the rule does not apply to cars that were registered before January 1, 2025. If a driver received a license plate before the beginning of 2025, this will not be a violation.
In Russia, in 2025, GOST "State registration plates of vehicles. Types and basic dimensions. Technical requirements" came into force. The document provides for the image of the national flag in the lower right corner of license plates.
About license plates
In Russia, state registration plates include letters and numbers:
- М 000 ММ — for cars
- ММ 000 — for taxis and buses carrying passengers
- ММ 0000 — for trailers
- 0000 ММ — for motorcycles and tractors
The standard number is white, for diplomats — red, for internal affairs bodies — blue, for the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and its constituent departments — black.