The scheme for registering cars with Kyrgyz license plates has its risks, which many only realize after problems arise. According to experts, the vehicle registration certificate (VRC) for foreigners in Kyrgyzstan depends on the duration of their temporary registration. Once this period expires, the information about the vehicle registration in the traffic police database becomes outdated. As a result, if an inspector notices that the registration has expired, the vehicle may be detained and sent to an impound lot. Thus, savings at the initial stage turn into additional expenses and stress, as reported by Russian media.
Reasons for Interest in Registration in Kyrgyzstan
The reason drivers turn to registering vehicles in Kyrgyzstan is due to lower prices for foreign cars, including Chinese models, compared to Russia. This is related to differences in customs duties. Against the backdrop of rising car prices and increased recycling fees, buyers are seeking alternative methods, leading to the spread of "gray" instructions actively discussed online.
Temporary Registration Scheme
The essence of this method is to register the vehicle in the name of a Russian citizen without resorting to a power of attorney from a local resident:
- The buyer travels to Kyrgyzstan and obtains temporary registration through a local MFC;
- This requires a resident who agrees to register the foreigner at their address. Finding such individuals is not difficult — there are many advertisements online for registration for a month or longer;
- After obtaining temporary registration, an INN and barcode are issued, allowing the car to be registered in the owner's name.
Two Stages of Registration
The registration process is divided into two stages, as explained by market participants:
- First, the vehicle is registered in the name of a Kyrgyz citizen, under whom it was customs cleared;
- Then it is re-registered in the name of a Russian citizen.
After these actions, the driver receives Kyrgyz license plates and can return to Russia.
Checks and Questions from Russian Inspectors
According to motorists' experiences, the traffic police actively check such vehicles. Drivers are stopped, documents are checked, and information about the vehicle may be entered into the database — this allows fines for traffic violations to be issued more effectively. In some cases, inspectors require the driver to provide a written explanation as to why the vehicle is not registered in Russia.
Registration Deadlines: Opinion of an Auto Lawyer
Auto lawyer Lev Voropaev emphasizes that temporary registration in another country does not cancel Russian citizenship. Thus, according to current rules, after entering Russia, the owner has 10 days to register the vehicle with the traffic police. Failure to comply with this procedure entails penalties:
- For the first violation — a fine of 500–800 rubles;
- For a repeated violation — a fine of 5,000 rubles or a suspension of driving rights for up to three months.
The "One Year Driving" Rule — With Reservations
Alexander Khaminskiy, head of the Law and Order Center in Moscow and the region, clarifies that a Russian citizen can import a vehicle registered in an EAEU country (including Kyrgyzstan) for a period of up to one year. However, a key condition is that the individual must have permanent residence in the country where the vehicle is registered. In case of disputes, proof of actual residence abroad will be required through documents regarding the change of residence.
Returning to the Armenian Scenario
Experts draw an analogy with previous experiences when Russians bought cars in Armenia, registered them in their name, received local plates, and returned, saving on duties. However, due to the widespread use of this method, it was restricted by 2020. At that time, the traffic police clarified that if a Russian citizen registered a vehicle in an EAEU country, they had the same 10 days for registration if they did not have permanent residence in the country of registration.
Customs Nuances and Risks of the Scheme
The Russian customs service, responding to journalists' inquiries, stated that the rules for operating vehicles with Kyrgyz license plates are regulated by the traffic police. The customs service also emphasized that one of the conditions for obtaining the VRC, necessary for registration, is the payment of the recycling fee.
Lev Voropaev believes that with the widespread adoption of this scheme, it may face strict measures, leading to risks of losing both the vehicle and the invested funds. Anatoly Semenov, director of the Association of Parallel Imports, shares this view: the dependence of the Kyrgyz VRC on the duration of temporary registration makes the entire scheme extremely vulnerable — just one check can turn a "profitable" purchase into serious problems.
