I would like to know about cars with RSO (South Ossetia) license plates

A relatively unusual phenomenon that can be observed recently on Russian roads is RSO license plates on cars. They leave experienced road users in a state of slight bewilderment. On the one hand, the numbers are similar to Russian ones, on the other, they have a number of features and differences. Many have come to the conclusion that such numbers belong to some remote region of the country.

Have you ever needed the help of a car lawyer?

Not really

This statement is not true. RSO plates are installed on cars in South Ossetia. After secession from Georgia, the partially unrecognized republic determined this format of state identifiers for its region.

Who owns RSO numbers?

Due to the fact that RSO plates are similar to their Russian counterparts, a number of motorists believe that the unusual registration plates belong to drivers who registered the car in one of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The information is not true.

Attention! If you have any questions, you can chat for free with a lawyer at the bottom of the screen or call Moscow; Saint Petersburg; Free call for all of Russia.

License plates with the RSO region are assigned to vehicles registered in South Ossetia.

During the Soviet era, the country was part of the union. At that time, all cars registered in the state were provided with one form of license plate. The renewal of registration plates in South Ossetia took place in 2006. As a result, the format of the number has changed. Today, cars registered in South Ossetia are provided with registration plates that look like this:

on the left is the state flag;
under the flag are the Latin letters RSO;
In the left center is the car number itself, consisting of letters and numbers.

South Ossetia license plates

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car registration plate of the Republic of South Ossetia of an outdated modelregistration plate with the order of letters and numbers similar to the Russian type 1Cars of the President and the Government of South OssetiaRegistration plate of cars of the Ministry of Defenseregistration plate of cars GSOregistration plate for trailersregistration plate of cars of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of South Ossetiaregistration plate of motorcycles of South OssetiaCar license plate of South Ossetia

Modern South Ossetian license plates, issued since the summer of 2006, are similar to Russian ones in size and font and are built on the same principle - 3 letters, 3 numbers, state code. For use on signs, 12 Cyrillic letters are allowed, which have graphic analogues in the Latin alphabet - A, B, E, K, M, N, O, R, S, T, U and X.

The difference from Russian license plates is that the flag and unofficial code of South Ossetia (RSO - Republic of South Ossetia) is located on the left side. Initially, numbers were issued where the sequence of letters and numbers was similar to the Russian type 12: 2 letters, 3 numbers, 1 letter.

Currently, license plates are issued with combinations similar to Russian type 1 license plates (letter - 3 digits - 2 letters)

Other numbers

1. Trailer numbers

The format of the number is similar to the corresponding Russian number, the window with the flag is located on the left.

2. Motorcycle license plates

The number format is similar to the corresponding Russian number.

3. Numbers of senior government officials

Numbers starting with A are reserved for the President and Government of South Ossetia.

On such plates there is no RSO code under the flag, and the flag itself occupies almost the entire rectangle isolated on the left (as a result of which its proportion differs from the 2:1 used on regular plates), the sequence of letters and numbers is the same as on license plates of the previous format (i.e. e. two letters, three numbers, one letter). Numbers with letters:

MM - police and KGB
LLC - State Security Service of South Ossetia
ХХХ and ХХВ - representation of the republic in St. Petersburg

The car of the President of the Republic of South Ossetia had its own license plates: the front number was the flag of the Republic of South Ossetia in the entire plate of the number plate with the coat of arms of the Republic of South Ossetia painted in the middle, and the rear number contained three numbers 001 and three letters RSO, separated by a flag with the coat of arms printed on it.

Since 2012, the format of the numbers has changed: on the left side of the number in a separate window there is the flag of the Republic of South Ossetia, in the main part of the number three numbers and three letters are placed, separated by the coat of arms of the Republic of South Ossetia.

4. License plates of the Ministry of Defense of South Ossetia

They are similar to the numbers registered with the military formations of the federal executive authorities of Russia, with the only difference that instead of the code of the branch of service and the Russian flag, the flag of South Ossetia is placed on the right.

Since 2012, the format of the numbers has been slightly changed: the flag has been moved to the left side of the number, and the republic code “RSO” is located under the flag.

5. License plates of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of South Ossetia

They have a blue background and white symbols. The flag and abbreviation RSO are located on the left. The numbers use a combination of 3 numbers and 2 letters.

6. Diplomatic numbers

The number format is similar to the corresponding Russian number.

At first, instead of the first three digits (country code), the letter code RSO was written, since there was only a Russian representative office in South Ossetia; the window with the flag and country code was missing.

At the moment, numbers are issued almost completely similar to Russian diplomatic ones, only the window is located on the left, and the RSO code is located in the window.

Cars of South Ossetia

During the Soviet Union, South Ossetia was part of Georgia, and the latter was a republic of the USSR. At that time, there were identical license plates throughout the Union.

When the Soviet Union collapsed, a parade of sovereignties of its constituent republics began. There were some bloody skirmishes. Dramatic events also occurred in Georgia.

South Ossetia demanded independence and achieved sovereignty.

That is, it separated from Georgia and declared itself a sovereign country. The construction of a new life did not bypass motor transport. Since 2006, cars registered in this country have had their own license plates.

In addition to car license plates, trailers and motorcycles have analogues in South Ossetia. They are not a traditional rectangular geometric shape, but square. Contains letters at the bottom and numbers at the top. Starts with the letter "A". There are no Latin letters, which is a significant distinguishing feature. Instead, the country's flag is placed.

And these are all the differences from the numbers of the Russian Federation. The rest are as similar to each other as two peas from the same pod.

RSO with the letter "A"

The leaders of South Ossetia travel in vehicles with registration numbers with a capital letter “A”. The numbers have 3 traditional letters, and the flag covers almost the entire area of the registration element.

The personal car of the President of South Ossetia has a distinctive registration number, unlike all the others. The front bumper signs represent the national flag, extending over almost the entire area of the license plate. In the middle is the coat of arms of the republic. The rear number has the numbers 001, three Latin capital letters. Between them there is a flag and a coat of arms.

It is necessary to take into account that the standard of the rooms has undergone significant changes over the past 6 years. The flag of the country is placed on the left in a separate square. The rest of the area is given over to letters and numbers.

Registration numbers of auto diplomats

Since the Republic of South Ossetia is recognized only by the Russian Federation and several other countries, the diplomatic mission’s vehicles are adapted to Russian diplomatic license plates.

The newborn country seeks to demonstrate its blood brotherhood with Russia with automobile registration paraphernalia. And there is nothing wrong with that.

Today, the desire is especially emphasized in the almost one hundred percent identity of the license plates of cars serving Russian diplomats. The rooms differ in a small detail - the location of the window with the code. It is located in the left zone of the state registration plate.

Let us remind you that only the RSO numbers on the car do not match the Russian standard. The difference is that the square with the flag and coat of arms is placed on the left rather than on the right. The resulting post-Soviet countries, like Tajikistan and others that separated from the Russian Federation, adhere to the Russian automobile registration canon.

Numbers indicate regions

Today, specialized websites describe in detail how to find the region in which a vehicle was registered in South Ossetia. Not only the place, but also the applicant of this event.

The search takes place using special forms in which you must enter vehicle license plate information. In response, the site will provide complete information about which region performed the registration act and when the action occurred. A convenient service if you need to urgently find a region.

This concerns obtaining the necessary information on the Russian Federation, South Ossetia, and other foreign territorial locations.

For example, a resident of the Chelyabinsk region needs to urgently find out the region, as well as the numbers of North Ossetia. Using the services of the sites, it is easy to find out that the registration plates of this country contain the dominant Latin letters RSO. Next in the rectangular sector are 2 letters. There are 3 numbers in the middle. The number ends with one letter.

In a word, car registration numbers are not anything complicated. Simple, easy to use, indicating the region.

Recently, cars with strange license plates have begun to appear on the roads of the Russian Federation - in appearance they are quite reminiscent of Russian ones, but at the same time they have a number of differences.

So, on the left side of the license plate there is a white-red-yellow flag, and below it are the Latin letters RSO. In general, this is where the differences end - what follows is a combination of letters and numbers that is quite familiar to Russians.

In this regard, many people are interested in: what region uses such exotic license plates?

In fact, these state registration marks with the designation RSO do not belong to a specific subject of the Russian Federation, but to its neighboring state - the Republic of South Ossetia.

Other license plates with RSO designation

There are several such state registration marks in this Caucasian republic:

for trailers (contain a number in the “bbCCCC” format);
for motorcycles (almost square - numbers at the top, letters at the bottom right, RSO code in the same place - on the left);
owned by the government and government departments.

Source: https://kart.net.ru/juzhnaja-osetija-nomera-mashin/

Where are numbers with the RSO region used?

The appearance of South Ossetia license plates may vary depending on the type of transport they are provided for. If the registration plate is intended for:

Motorcycles, the classic rectangular shape is not used. Instead, the number will be square. Numbers are placed on top. The letters are located at the bottom.
Trailers, the “bbCCCC” format is used, where b are letters and c are numbers.
For other vehicles, the number will be standard. It consists of 3 letters and 3 numbers placed on a rectangular plate. On the left is the flag of South Ossetia, and below it is the designation RSO.

If the car belongs to one of the government departments of South Ossetia, the RSO number may be different. From the appearance of the registration plate one can suspect which state it belongs to. structure refers to the machine. So, if MMM is additionally present on the license plate, the car is owned by the security committee. Department registration plates have a blue background.

Sometimes RSO plates have the letters LLC. This means that the car belongs to the security service. If the vehicle is owned by the Ministry of Defense, the registration plate will have a black background.

RSO region on car license plates: which country, whose license plate and where the car is from

On the roads of the country lately you can see not only different brands of cars, but also license plates. Sometimes you don’t even know which region or country they belong to, for example, the rso region on the numbers. Numbers with this region are quite similar to ordinary Russian numbers, but are they ours? Let's try to figure out in more detail which state or maybe region they belong to.

Whose numbers are these?

It is worth noting that Russian license plates should not be confused with others, although they are often similar. License plates with the inscription RSO are installed on cars in South Ossetia. After the republic separated from Georgia, these license plates were approved by the government. They are still used today.

What is special about license plates?

The format familiar to South Ossetia and Russia for cars is exactly the same. The main difference, which is immediately visible, is the unusual tricolor of the following colors:

Cyrillic letters are used as symbols for numbers; by the way, their analogues are also present in the Latin alphabet.

The letters RSO themselves, together with a flag of three colors, have country code designations. If you decipher the symbols, you get the Republic of South Ossetia.

The registration marks of Ossetia have no other differences from Russian license plates. The room consists of:

Flag of the Republic;
Country code;
Number made up of numbers and letters.

The block containing the flag and country code is located on the left. The country has been using this format of license plates for 14 years.

License plates of Ossetia in Russia

The government of this sunny country has a fairly loyal attitude and laws regarding the registration of vehicles. It is for this reason that many Russian citizens often try to bring cars from Ossetia into the Russian Federation.

But according to our laws, only foreign citizens and those can use such cars. Who has dual citizenship. You can drive a car with an Ossetian license plate on the roads of our country for no more than six months.

After this time, the car must leave the territory of Russia. But there is a slight subtlety here too. After the car crosses the border and the driver receives all the marks about this fact, he can again enter the country.

Next will be a six-month period again.

At the same time, at the moment, that is, for six months, the vehicle is not allowed to be sold, transferred to another person on the basis of a power of attorney, or used for work.

In the case when a Russian citizen is driving a car, this is a violation of the law. In this case, the traffic police inspector has the right to confiscate the vehicle. The procedure for seizing a car is accompanied by the mandatory execution of a protocol.

Entry into the country and exit

It is not so easy to drive cars into the territory of the Russian Federation. To do this, you must go through a number of mandatory procedures. The first thing the driver must do is bring the vehicle to transport control. If it is successfully passed, a border corridor follows.

It is worth considering that at the end of each border corridor there is an inspection hole for inspecting the bottom of the vehicle. Recently, border guards have the right to carry out such an inspection using special mirrors.

To speed up the procedure, you should remember a few rules:

After stopping the vehicle, not only the driver, but also the passengers should get out;
Open all doors;
Open the trunk.

In some situations, border control officers may require all luggage to be removed from the cabin and the vehicle to be subjected to X-ray inspection. This procedure can be carried out if there is a suspicion that there are substances or objects prohibited for import into the Russian Federation in the car.

After the vehicle inspection procedure has been completely completed, you should go through passport control, where all the necessary border crossing marks will be placed, as well as the crossing time and date. To go through passport control, you must present your passport and documents for the vehicle.

The process of leaving Russia occurs in a similar way.

REMEMBER! Each case is individual. It may be better to consult a specialist to avoid time and money costs.

License plates of South Ossetia with the letter A

License plates with the RSO code also come with special markings, for example, with the letter A.

This designation lets you know that one of the main leaders of South Ossetia is traveling on this vehicle. In addition, the size of the flag on the registration mark is also a distinctive sign.

On such license plates, the flag occupies almost the entire block, which is intended for vehicle registration data.

It is worth knowing that the car of the head of the republic has a completely unique registration number; it is hardly possible to confuse it with others. Between the signs, namely letters and numbers in the number, there is the coat of arms of the republic and the affiliation code - RSO.

On what vehicles can you still see RSO?

License plates of South Ossetia with the RSO code can be assigned not only to passenger vehicles, but also to:

Motorcycles;
Trailers;
Cars that are the property of government agencies.

Square-shaped signs are installed on motor vehicles. The upper part of the registration plate is occupied by numbers, below is a letter code.

The signs on trailers also have their own difference - two letters are indicated before the numbers on the sign.

But a registration plate with a blue background is a clear sign that the car belongs to the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. This sign has three letters M. The security service has the following letters on its license plates - LLC, but black plates are issued to the Ministry of Defense for transport.

Conclusion

Today, on the roads, you can often see cars that are registered in South Ossetia.

Russian citizens are unlikely to be able to buy such a car, since by law it must be driven either by a citizen of Ossetia or by someone who has two citizenships.

By the way, we repeat, it is just as impossible to transfer such a car by proxy as it is to use it for commercial purposes.

RSO plates on cars - remote region or another country? updated: April 5, 2021 by: admin

Source: https://lawcars.ru/nomera-rso-na-avtomobilyah-otdalennyj-region-ili-drugaya-strana/

RSO with the letter "A"

The cars of the South Ossetian leadership can also be distinguished from others. Vehicles have a large letter A on their license plate.

The vehicle of the President of South Ossetia has a unique registration plate. The national flag on the number occupies a large area. In the middle there is the coat of arms of the republic. The rear number plate contains the numbers 001, as well as 3 Latin capital letters. Between the groups of symbols there is a flag and a coat of arms.

The Republic of South Ossetia was recognized only by the Russian Federation and several other states. Therefore, the license plates of vehicles of representatives of diplomatic missions are adapted to the rules in force in Russia. This indicates a desire to demonstrate brotherhood with the Russian Federation. The fact is especially emphasized by the almost one hundred percent identity of vehicle license plates used by diplomats. The difference is the presence of a window with the RSO code. It is located on the left side of the registration plate. Additionally, the license plate contains the flag of South Ossetia.

RSO numbers

Currently, license plates are issued with combinations similar to Russian type 1 license plates (letter - 3 digits - 2 letters)

Other numbers

1. Trailer numbers

The format of the number is similar to the corresponding Russian number, the window with the flag is located on the left.

2. Motorcycle license plates

The number format is similar to the corresponding Russian number.

3. Numbers of senior government officials

Numbers starting with A are reserved for the President and Government of South Ossetia.

MM - police and KGB
LLC - State Security Service of South Ossetia
ХХХ and ХХВ - representation of the republic in St. Petersburg

4. License plates of the Ministry of Defense of South Ossetia

Since 2012, the format of the numbers has been slightly changed: the flag has been moved to the left side of the number, and the republic code “RSO” is located under the flag.

5. License plates of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of South Ossetia

They have a blue background and white symbols. The flag and abbreviation RSO are located on the left. The numbers use a combination of 3 numbers and 2 letters.

6. Diplomatic numbers

The number format is similar to the corresponding Russian number.

At the moment, numbers are issued almost completely similar to Russian diplomatic ones, only the window is located on the left, and the RSO code is located in the window.

Is it possible to drive in Russia with RSO license plates?

Russia is part of the Eurasian Economic Union. The participating countries have developed and approved the Customs Code, in accordance with which the import and export of foreign cars into the territory of the EAEU is carried out. The process is regulated by Art. 264 of the Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union. Clause 1 states that foreign persons have the right to import a car into the territory of the Russian Federation for a period of up to 1 year. In this case, a person may be a citizen of a country that is not part of the EAEU. The rule applies only to the import of cars for personal use.

However, paragraph 31 of Order No. 399 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation dated June 26, 2021 states that in case of importing a car for a period of more than 6 months, it is necessary to obtain Russian license plates. Therefore, the period during which driving with South Ossetian license plates is permissible is six months. After this, you will need to contact the traffic police and carry out the replacement procedure.

When driving a car with RSO license plates on the territory of the Russian Federation, in addition to rights and registration documents, a person must have in his hands the papers provided for by customs legislation and confirming the fact of temporary import. A similar rule follows from clause 2.2 of the Traffic Regulations of the Russian Federation. The same legal act states that the vehicle must have registration plates of the state in which the car is registered. This means that there is no need for mandatory replacement.

When the period for which a car was temporarily imported from South Ossetia has expired, the period can be extended. The rule follows from the provisions of Art. 264 Labor Code of the EAEU. An extension is permissible for the same period for which the original import was carried out. The extension procedure is carried out by representative offices of the customs service. You must contact the nearest office of the organization. The procedure for extending the period is carried out upon the application of the person who imported the car with RSO license plates. A similar rule is reflected in paragraph 2 of Art. 264 of the Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Importing a car to Russia from South Ossetia

The import of cars of the Euro 5 category is allowed into Russia. The new standard was established by the decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission No. 78 of October 14, 2015.

A car with RSO license plates can be imported from South Ossetia to the Russian Federation temporarily or on a permanent basis. If a car is temporarily imported for personal use, Article 264 of the EAEU Labor Code comes into force. Foreigners have the right to import a car for up to 1 year. However, the legislation does not oblige you to pay import taxes and customs duties. After a one-year period of stay of a car with RSO plates, there is the possibility of extending the period. However, a number of strict rules apply to cars imported temporarily:

violation of the terms of temporary stay is punishable by fines under Article 16.18 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation;
You cannot make purchase and sale transactions, donations, or transfer the car by proxy (Clause 6, Article 264 of the EAEU Labor Code);
for violation, the car can be confiscated (Article 16.18 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).

Cars imported into the territory of the Russian Federation from abroad on an ongoing basis are subject to customs declaration (Article 203 of the Federal Law “On Customs Regulation in the Russian Federation”). You will have to pay a state fee to perform the manipulation. Its size in the Russian Federation is regulated by Federal Law No. 311 of November 27, 2010 and the Decision of the Eurasian Economic Commission on certain issues related to goods for personal use No. 107 of December 20, 2021. The procedure for calculating state duty is complex. The following are taken into account:

car age;
cost of the vehicle;
engine capacity.

Importing a car from North Ossetia with RSO plates for permanent use will require large expenses, but a citizen will be able to fully dispose of the car in the territory of the Russian Federation. The vehicle can be sold, donated, transferred for use to a third party, and other procedures can be performed in relation to the vehicle.

How to reissue RSO numbers?

If a person plans to bring a car with RSO license plates into the territory of the Russian Federation for a period of more than six months, it is necessary to obtain Russian registration plates (clause 31 of Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation No. 399 of June 26, 2018). To complete the procedure, you will need to contact the traffic police department. If the car is owned by a foreign citizen or a stateless person temporarily staying on the territory of the Russian Federation, you need to contact the department of the institution at the address specified in the notification of arrival (clause 27 of Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation No. 399 of June 26, 2018). Russians who bought a car in North Ossetia and imported it into the state can contact any traffic police department. In order for new numbers to be provided, you will need to prepare a package of documents. The list will include:

completed application;
citizen's passport;
insurance policy;
customs documentation;
documents confirming the existence of ownership rights;
PTS.

Foreigners are additionally required to provide a passport of their state or other identification document (clause 15.2.3 of Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation No. 605 of August 7, 2013). The provision of services requires payment of a state fee. The amount of payment is regulated by Art. 333.33 Tax Code of the Russian Federation. RUB 2,000 is charged for issuing registration plates. Having received the citizen’s application, the traffic police officer will check the documentation package. Then the vehicle with RSO plates will be inspected. If no violations are found, the applicant will be provided with a number and updated documents for the car.