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Long lines formed at Kazakhstan’s special Public Service Centers after a new rule, effective 1 January 2026, let motorists choose their own license plate letter–number combinations for a fee of 10 MRP (43,250 tenge) — a shift aimed at personalizing registrations and improving transparency.

This was reported by the Infohub.kz news agency.

Queues in Aktau and Almaty on 5 January

On 5 January 2026, videos circulating on social media showed crowds at special PSC branches handling vehicle services. Footage from the Aktau center and scenes from Almaty highlighted the surge in demand during the first days of the new option.

What changed on 1 January 2026

According to the internal affairs authorities, vehicle owners can now assemble the digits and letters on their plates, enabling combinations such as 123AZA01, 321ERA02, and 069ARA03. The service costs 10 MRP (43,250 tenge). “Elite” sequences like 001, 002, 212, 333, and 777, as well as identical letter groupings, are not included in the free-choice category and remain unavailable under this service.

Official response: services operating normally

The press service of the state corporation “Government for Citizens” confirmed an increased flow of customers in several regions but said all special PSCs are operating in standard mode. No malfunctions have been recorded in the information systems.

Why it matters

The new procedure gives drivers more control over how their vehicle is identified while formalizing the process to ensure clarity and fairness. The early spike in demand underscores public interest in tailored registrations and the appeal of a transparent, rules-based system.