When and how to report an accident to California DMV
You must report a car accident to the California Department of Motor Vehicles if someone was injured or killed, or if property damage exceeded $1,000. You do this by submitting Form SR 1 (Official Traffic Accident Report) within 10 days of the accident. If you miss the 10-day window, you can still file, but waiting longer makes it harder to gather accurate information and witness statements.
The form goes to the DMV office that covers the county where the accident happened. You can mail it, deliver it in person, or file it online through the California DMV website. Online filing is fastest — you upload the form and any supporting documents, and you get a confirmation number when ready.
If the accident involved a hit-and-run, you report it to the police first, then submit Form SR 1 to the DMV along with the police report number. The DMV uses these reports to track accident patterns and to flag drivers with multiple incidents.
Key Takeaways
- You must file Form SR 1 with the California DMV within 10 days if the accident caused injury, death, or property damage over $1,000.
- The form goes to the DMV office in the county where the accident occurred, and you can submit it by mail, in person, or online.
- If you do not report a required accident, the DMV may suspend your driver's license and you may face fines.
- For hit-and-run accidents, file a police report first and include the report number when you submit Form SR 1 to the DMV.
- Gathering witness names, contact information, and insurance details at the scene makes filing the report faster and more accurate.
What information you need to gather at the scene
Before you leave the accident scene, collect the names, phone numbers, and addresses of all other drivers involved. Get their driver's license numbers, vehicle identification numbers (VINs), license plate numbers, and insurance company names and policy numbers. Take photos of the vehicle damage, the accident location, road conditions, and traffic signs or signals nearby.
Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident. Ask them if they are willing to provide a statement to the DMV. If police respond to the scene, get the officer's name, badge number, and the police report number — you will need this for Form SR 1.
If you are injured or in shock, do not worry about collecting every detail. Your safety comes first. You can obtain the police report later and use it to fill in gaps on the DMV form.
How to complete Form SR 1
Form SR 1 has sections for your information, the other driver's information, vehicle details, the accident location and time, a description of what happened, and injury or damage details. Be factual and specific — describe what you saw and did, not what you think caused the accident or who was at fault. The DMV is not determining liability; it is recording what occurred.
List all occupants of your vehicle, including passengers, and note whether anyone was injured. Describe the accident in the space provided: for example, "I was stopped at a red light on Main Street when the other vehicle struck my rear bumper." Include the weather, road surface, and lighting conditions if they were relevant.
If you do not have all the information when you file, leave those sections blank or write "unknown." Submitting the form on time is more important than waiting to gather every detail. You can contact the DMV later if you find missing information.
Consequences of not reporting an accident
If you do not file Form SR 1 when required, the DMV may suspend your driver's license for up to four years. You may also face fines. The suspension stays on your record even after it ends, and it can affect your ability to renew your license or obtain insurance.
Insurance companies also track accident reports. If you do not report an accident to the DMV and your insurance company finds out, they may deny a claim or cancel your policy. Some insurers require you to report accidents within a certain timeframe as part of your policy terms.
If you are unsure whether your accident meets the reporting threshold, file the form anyway. It is safer to report and have it on record than to guess and face penalties later.
Where to file Form SR 1 in your county
The California DMV has regional offices in each county. You can find the address and hours for your county office on the DMV website. Most offices accept Form SR 1 by mail, in person, or online. Online filing through the DMV website is available 24 hours a day and does not require a trip to an office.
If you mail the form, send it to the DMV office in the county where the accident happened, not your home county. Include copies of any supporting documents — police report, photos, witness statements — but keep the originals for your records. Mail typically takes 5 to 10 business days to arrive, so account for that when calculating the 10-day filing important date.
If you file in person, bring the completed form and your driver's license. Some offices have drop boxes where you can leave documents after hours. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether an appointment is needed.
What happens after you file
Once the DMV receives Form SR 1, they record the accident in their system. You will receive a confirmation that the form was filed. The DMV does not investigate the accident or determine fault — that is the job of insurance companies and courts if a lawsuit occurs.
The accident report becomes part of your driving record and is visible to insurance companies, employers who check driving records, and law enforcement. It stays on your record for three years for most purposes, though some insurers may look back further.
If the accident involved a citation or criminal charges, those are separate from the DMV report. A police citation does not automatically appear on your DMV record, but a conviction does. If you receive a ticket, you can contest it in traffic court independently of the DMV filing.
Accidents involving uninsured or hit-and-run drivers
If the other driver was uninsured or left the scene, report the accident to police when ready. Provide the police with as much information as you have — the other vehicle's description, license plate if you saw it, direction of travel, and any witness information. The police report becomes part of your DMV filing.
When you submit Form SR 1, note that the other driver was uninsured or that it was a hit-and-run. Include the police report number. The DMV may suspend the other driver's license if they can identify them. If you cannot identify the hit-and-run driver, your own insurance may cover the damage under your uninsured motorist or collision coverage, depending on your policy.
Some states have uninsured motorist funds that may help cover damages in hit-and-run cases. California does not have a state fund, but you can pursue a claim through your own insurance or through small claims court if the other driver is later identified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report an accident if the other driver and I agreed to handle it ourselves?
If the accident caused injury, death, or property damage over $1,000, yes — you must report it to the DMV regardless of any agreement with the other driver. The 10-day filing requirement is a legal obligation, not optional. Handling payment between yourselves does not replace the DMV report.
What if I was not at fault for the accident?
You still file Form SR 1. The form is a factual record of what happened, not a information of fault. Describe what you saw and did. Insurance companies and courts determine liability based on the facts, police reports, and witness statements — not on the DMV form.
Can I file Form SR 1 online if I do not have a computer?
Yes. You can mail the form or bring it to a DMV office in person. Many public libraries also offer free computer access if you need to file online. Mailing takes longer, so plan ahead if you are close to the 10-day important date.
How long does it take to get a copy of my accident report from the DMV?
You can request a copy of your accident report online or by mail. Online requests typically process within a few business days. By mail, allow 10 to 15 business days. There is usually a small fee for copies. You can also view your driving record, which includes accident information, through the DMV website.
Will reporting an accident to the DMV affect my insurance rates?
The DMV report itself does not determine your rates — your insurance company does. However, insurance companies use accident reports as one factor when calculating premiums. Whether your rates increase depends on your policy, your insurer's practices, and whether you were found at fault. Contact your insurance agent to understand how this accident may affect your specific policy.