When You Must Report an Accident to the California DMV
You must report an accident to the California DMV if you were involved in a crash that caused injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more. The DMV does not investigate accidents — they maintain a record for your driving history and insurance purposes. If the damage is under $1,000, you do not need to file a report with the DMV, though you may still want to report it to your insurance company.
The accident report requirement applies whether you were at fault or not. If you hit another vehicle, a parked car, property, or a person, and the damage meets the threshold, you have a legal obligation to report it. Failing to report a reportable accident can result in a suspended license and fines.
You have 10 days from the date of the accident to submit your report to the DMV. This important date is firm — submitting after 10 days may still result in license suspension even if you eventually file.
Key Takeaways
- Report accidents to the California DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured, anyone died, or property damage reached $1,000 or more.
- You can file the report online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office — online is fastest and requires no appointment.
- You will need the other driver's name, address, phone number, driver's license number, vehicle information, and insurance details.
- If the other driver left the scene or you hit a parked car with no owner present, file a hit-and-run report with local police first, then submit that report number to the DMV.
- Reporting the accident to the DMV is separate from filing an insurance claim — you must do both if you want coverage for damages.
How to File Your Accident Report Online
The fastest way to report an accident is through the California DMV website using their online accident report form. Go to dmv.ca.gov, select "Report an Accident," and follow the prompts. You will need your driver's license number, the date and location of the accident, and details about the other vehicle and driver. The online form takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
After you submit the form online, you will receive a confirmation number. Save this number — it proves you filed within the 10-day window. The DMV will process your report and may contact you if they need additional information. You do not need to print or mail anything if you file online.
Filing by Mail or In Person
If you prefer to file by mail, read the SR 1 form (Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California) from the DMV website or pick one up at any DMV office. Fill out all sections completely, including your information, the other driver's information, vehicle details, and a description of how the accident happened. Mail the completed form to the DMV address listed on the form itself.
Mail takes longer than online filing, so send your form as soon as possible after the accident. Use certified mail with return receipt if you want proof of delivery. The DMV must receive your form within 10 days of the accident, not 10 days after you mail it.
You can also file in person at any California DMV office. Bring your completed SR 1 form, your driver's license, and any supporting documents. Walk-in service is available, but you may wait 30 minutes to an hour depending on the office. Filing in person gives you when ready proof that you submitted your report.
Information You Will Need to Provide
Before you start your report, gather the following information about the other vehicle and driver: full name, street address, phone number, date of birth, driver's license number and state of issue, vehicle make and model, vehicle color, license plate number, and vehicle identification number (VIN). You will also need the name and phone number of their insurance company and their policy number if you have it.
If there were passengers in either vehicle, note their names and whether anyone was injured. Write down the exact location of the accident — street names, cross streets, or landmarks — and the date and time it occurred. If a police officer responded to the scene, include the police report number and the name of the agency that filed it.
If you do not have all this information because the other driver refused to provide it or left the scene, write down what you do know and explain what you could not obtain. The DMV will still process your report.
What to Do If the Other Driver Left the Scene
If the other driver left the accident scene without providing information, you must file a hit-and-run report with the local police department where the accident occurred within 24 hours. Provide the police with a description of the other vehicle, the direction it was heading, and any part of the license plate number you saw. The police will give you a report number.
After you have the police report number, file your accident report with the DMV using the same process described above. Include the police report number in your DMV filing. If you hit a parked car and cannot locate the owner, you must still report it to police and then to the DMV within the 10-day window.
Reporting an Accident You Caused
You must report an accident to the DMV even if you were at fault. The report itself does not determine fault — that is decided by insurance companies and courts. Your job is to notify the DMV that the accident happened and provide the facts as you saw them. Be honest and complete in your description, but you do not need to admit fault or apologize in the report.
Reporting the accident promptly actually protects you. Waiting beyond the 10-day important date or failing to report altogether can result in license suspension, which is a separate penalty from any insurance or legal consequences. Report it, then let your insurance company and any legal process handle the question of who was responsible.
After You Submit Your Report
The DMV will review your report and may contact you by phone or mail if they need clarification or additional documents. Keep your confirmation number or receipt in a safe place. The DMV typically processes reports within 30 days, though complex cases may take longer.
Your accident report becomes part of your driving record and may be visible to insurance companies and potential employers who run background checks. It does not automatically raise your insurance rates — your insurance company makes that decision based on their own investigation — but it does create an official record of the incident.
If you receive a notice from the DMV saying your license will be suspended because you did not report the accident, contact the DMV when ready. You may still be able to file a late report and avoid suspension if you can show good cause for the delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report the accident if the other driver and I agreed not to involve insurance?
Yes. The DMV reporting requirement is separate from insurance. If the damage is $1,000 or more, you must report it to the DMV within 10 days regardless of what you and the other driver agreed to. Failing to report can suspend your license.
What happens if I miss the 10-day important date?
The DMV may suspend your driver's license. You can still file a late report and request a hearing to explain the delay, but suspension is the default penalty. File as soon as you realize you missed the important date and contact the DMV to ask about reinstatement.
Can I report the accident through my insurance company instead of the DMV?
No. Reporting to your insurance company does not satisfy the DMV requirement. You must file a separate report with the DMV. Your insurance company will not do this for you.
Do I need a police report to file with the DMV?
No. You can file an accident report with the DMV without a police report. However, if police responded to the scene, include the police report number in your DMV filing. If the other driver left the scene, you must file a police report first.
Will reporting the accident increase my insurance rates?
Reporting to the DMV does not automatically increase your rates. Your insurance company decides rate changes based on their own investigation and your driving history. However, the accident will be on record, and your insurer may see it when they review your file.