The Luhansk People's Republic initiated a system of vehicle registration plates in May 2016."Об утверждении образцов и описаний регистрационных документов, государственных номерных знаков на транспортные средства, водительского удостоверения, временного талона на право управления транспортными средствами и требований к ним", Council of Ministers of the Luhansk People's Republic, 24 May 2016 . Retrieved 2025-07-27. The plates were recognized as valid in the Russian Federation, alongside those of the Donetsk People's Republic, in February 2017.Reporting by Maria Kiselyova in Moscow, additional reporting by Pavel Polityuk in Kiev; Editing by Adrian Croft, "Putin orders Russia to recognize documents issued in rebel-held east Ukraine", Reuters, 18 February 2017. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
On 21 December 2022 the terms of license plate issuance changed. Russian plates were first issued on that day with the Code 181, after The Luhansk People’s Republic ostensibly became a part of Russia on September 30, 2022 following the unification referendum. Residents with LPR or Ukrainian vehicle registration completed before 14 December 2022 were required to re-register by 1 January 2026 with no extra costs."First LPR residents get Russian driver’s license, vehicle registration plates", lug-info.ru, 21 December 2022. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
See also Vehicle registration plates of Russia Vehicle registration plates of Ukraine Vehicle registration plates of the DPR
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