To provide first-hand information, we contacted the law firm «Safir Consulting Group», and in an interview format we tried to answer questions of interest to motorists.
Autoportal: What can you say about the registration/re-registration of cars in Crimea? What about buying a car in Crimea - how to register it?
Safir Consulting Group: Today, a transition period is in effect on the territory of the Republic of Crimea, which will last until January 1, 2015, according to the Federal Constitutional Law of the Russian Federation dated 21.03.2014 (On the Admission of the Republic of Crimea to the Russian Federation and the Formation of New Subjects within the Russian Federation - the Republic of Crimea and the Federal City of Sevastopol). So, until the end of 2014, car owners have the opportunity to re-register their cars; for this, they need to contact the registration and examination division of the State Traffic Inspectorate, where their vehicles will be re-registered in accordance with Russian legislation, and their registration documents and state registration plates will be replaced with Russian ones.
As reported by Crimean media, the State Council of the Republic of Crimea adopted a resolution «On Issues of Vehicle Registration», which instructs competent authorities to develop a mechanism for the registration and registration of vehicles on the territory of the Republic of Crimea:
- previously purchased under credit agreements and leasing agreements, paid off by buyers or deregistered by the lessor;
- imported into Crimea by official dealers on the basis of cargo customs declarations issued on the territory of Ukraine by official importers after March 21, 2014;
- deregistered on the territory of Ukraine before March 21, 2014 under powers of attorney and not registered by the owner's representatives on the territory of the Republic of Crimea;
- imported and located on the territory of Crimea, purchased by buyers on the territory of Ukraine under powers of attorney issued after March 21, 2014;
- located on the territory of the Republic of Crimea.
That is, more comprehensive issues of vehicle registration will be resolved in the near future.
Autoportal: Gifts and wills. According to our information, Crimean notaries are currently stubbornly refusing to sign any deeds of gift. What should those who want to transfer ownership of a car do?
Safir Consulting Group: This situation is due to the fact that since the beginning of March, Crimean notaries have been denied access to the main registries, making notarization of transactions impossible. Moreover, according to the aforementioned law, during the transition period, the Notary Chamber of the Republic of Crimea and the Notary Chamber of the Federal City of Sevastopol will be established in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation on notaries, after which Russian legislation will be in effect on the peninsula.
Therefore, in the future, car owners will formalize transactions in accordance with Russian legislation.
As for the current situation, it is worth noting that a driver only needs to have a driver's license and a vehicle registration certificate to be able to use the car. However, if it concerns the official registration of ownership rights, it is possible to issue a corresponding power of attorney on the mainland of Ukraine. However, such a power of attorney will have to be reissued when Russian legislation comes into effect in the Republic of Crimea, since Ukrainian legislation will no longer be in force.
Autoportal: What about owners of cars with personalized plates that were obtained in Crimea? Will they have to give them up?
Safir Consulting Group: Previously, owners received personalized plates according to the relevant Procedure approved by the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine dated 30.11.2007 N 466, that is, in accordance with Ukrainian legislation.
To date, the Russian State Traffic Inspectorate has not provided any clarifications regarding the change of personalized license plates. However, it is logical to assume that personalized license plates are also subject to replacement when re-registering a car.
Autoportal: Driver's licenses. Where to undergo training and how to get a license in Crimea today?
Safir Consulting Group: Obtaining a driver's license on the peninsula will henceforth be carried out in accordance with Russian legislation, namely the Rules for Passing Qualification Exams and Issuing Driver's Licenses, approved by Government Decree No. 1396 of December 15, 1999.
In short, to obtain a driver's license, you need to undergo training at a driving school in the volume provided for by the curricula and programs for training drivers of vehicles of the corresponding category; pass the driving test.
Exams, issuance and replacement of driver's licenses are carried out by the State Traffic Inspectorate at the citizen's place of residence or stay.
Conclusions
From all the above, we can conclude that residents of Crimea will now have to forget about personalized plates. In addition, for now they cannot gift or bequeath their own vehicle. As for the registration/re-registration of cars, there are no particular problems or difficulties with this. Likewise with obtaining a driver's license, except for the differing traffic rules of Russia and Ukraine.
