DMV Form REG 256 is California's official form for reporting a vehicle accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles

Form REG 256, also called the "Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California," is the document you file with the California DMV when you are involved in a vehicle accident that meets certain reporting requirements. The form tells the DMV what happened, who was involved, and the damage or injuries that resulted. California law requires you to report accidents to the DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured or killed, or if property damage exceeded $1,000 (or $500 if the other vehicle was uninsured).

You do not file this form with a police officer or insurance company — you send it directly to the California DMV. The form exists separately from a police report, though you may have filed one at the scene. The DMV uses the information to track accident patterns and to flag drivers with serious violations or repeated incidents.

Filing REG 256 is a legal requirement, not optional. Failing to report a may have access to accident can result in license suspension or other penalties. However, the form itself is straightforward to complete if you gather the right information beforehand.

Key Takeaways

  • You must file Form REG 256 with the California DMV within 10 days of an accident if anyone was injured, killed, or if property damage exceeded $1,000 (or $500 if the other vehicle was uninsured).
  • The form requires details about the accident location, date, time, vehicles involved, drivers, passengers, and a description of what happened.
  • You can obtain the form from the California DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office, and you submit it by mail to the address listed on the form.
  • Failure to report a may have access to accident within the 10-day window can lead to license suspension or other DMV penalties.
  • Filing REG 256 is separate from filing an insurance claim or a police report, though all three may be part of your accident response.

When you are required to file Form REG 256

California law requires you to report an accident to the DMV if any of these conditions are true: someone was injured or killed, or property damage exceeded $1,000. If the other vehicle was uninsured, the threshold drops to $500 in property damage. You measure property damage as the total cost to repair or replace all vehicles and property involved, not just your own vehicle.

The 10-day clock starts on the date of the accident. If you miss the important date, the DMV may suspend your driving privilege. Even if you filed a police report at the scene, that does not satisfy the DMV reporting requirement — you must file REG 256 separately. Some accidents are reported by law enforcement directly to the DMV, but you should not assume this happened; filing the form yourself ensures the DMV has your account of events.

If you were not at fault, you still must file if the accident meets the threshold. Being at fault or not at fault does not change the reporting requirement.

What information you need to complete the form

Before you sit down to fill out REG 256, gather the following information: the date, time, and exact location of the accident; your name, address, driver's license number, and vehicle information (make, model, year, license plate, VIN); the other driver's name, address, phone number, driver's license number, and vehicle information; the names and contact details of any passengers in either vehicle; the name and phone number of any witnesses; and a description of how the accident occurred.

You will also need to describe any injuries or deaths, the extent of property damage to each vehicle, and whether a police report was filed (and if so, the report number and the agency that filed it). If you have photos of the accident scene or vehicle damage, keep those separate — they are not part of the form itself, but they support your account if the DMV has questions.

If you do not have all this information at the time you file, you can still submit the form with what you have and note that information is pending. However, the more complete your submission, the less likely the DMV will contact you for clarification.

How to obtain Form REG 256

You can read Form REG 256 from the California DMV website at dmv.ca.gov. Search for "REG 256" in the forms section, and you will find a PDF you can print at home. Alternatively, you can visit any California DMV office in person and ask for the form — staff will provide a printed copy at no cost.

You can also request the form by mail by contacting the DMV directly, though this takes longer than downloading or visiting an office. The form is free; no one should charge you for it. If a website or service claims to sell you Form REG 256 or to file it on your behalf for a fee, that is a scam — the form is always free from the DMV.

The form is a single page, printed on both sides. Make sure you have the current version; the DMV updates forms periodically, and using an outdated version may delay processing.

How to fill out and submit Form REG 256

Print the form and read the instructions on the back before you begin. Fill in all sections legibly in black or blue ink, or type the information if your printer allows. Do not leave blank sections unless the instructions say a field is optional. If a question does not explore to your accident, write "N/A" rather than leaving it blank.

Sign and date the form. Your signature certifies that the information you provided is true and correct. Submit the completed form by mail to the address printed on the form itself — this address varies by region, so check your copy carefully. Do not submit it to a police department or insurance company; the DMV is the only recipient.

Keep a copy for your records before you mail it. Send it by regular mail or certified mail (certified mail gives you proof of delivery, which is useful if the DMV later claims they did not receive it). The DMV typically processes the form within a few weeks, though this varies by volume.

What happens after you file the form

The DMV will review your report and add it to your driving record. If the accident involved a serious injury or death, or if there are discrepancies between your report and a police report, the DMV may contact you for more information. In most cases, filing the form satisfies your legal obligation, and you will not hear from the DMV again unless there is a problem.

Filing REG 256 does not determine fault, assign liability, or affect your insurance rates — those are handled by your insurance company and, if necessary, by a court. The DMV report is a factual record for administrative purposes. However, if you fail to file or file late, the DMV may suspend your driving privilege regardless of fault or insurance coverage.

If the DMV contacts you after you file, respond promptly and honestly. Do not ignore DMV correspondence, as it often relates to license suspension or other enforcement actions.

Scam alerts and common mistakes

Do not pay anyone to file Form REG 256 for you. The form is free, and filing it yourself takes 15 to 20 minutes. Websites that charge a fee to file the form or to "verify your information" are scams. The legitimate DMV website is dmv.ca.gov; any other site claiming to be the DMV is fraudulent.

Do not delay filing because you are waiting for a police report, insurance settlement, or repair estimate. The 10-day important date is firm. File the form as soon as you have the basic facts, even if some details are still pending. You can always contact the DMV later if you need to correct or add information.

Do not assume that filing a police report or an insurance claim satisfies the DMV requirement. These are separate processes. A police report goes to law enforcement; an insurance claim goes to your insurance company; Form REG 256 goes to the DMV. You may need to file all three.

Do not file the form if the accident does not meet the reporting threshold (injury, death, or property damage over $1,000, or $500 if uninsured). Filing unnecessarily will not hurt you, but it is not required and may draw unnecessary attention to your record.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I was not at fault for the accident?

You still must file Form REG 256 if the accident meets the reporting threshold. Fault is determined by insurance companies and courts, not by the DMV. The form is a factual report of what happened, not a information of who caused the accident.

Can I file the form online?

No, Form REG 256 must be submitted by mail. The DMV does not currently offer online submission for this form. Print the form, complete it, and mail it to the address listed on the form.

What if I do not have the other driver's information?

File the form with the information you do have and note that the other driver's details are unknown. If you have a police report number, include that. The DMV may contact you if they need more information, or they may locate the other driver through their records.

Does filing REG 256 affect my insurance rates?

No, filing the form with the DMV does not directly affect your insurance rates. Your insurance company determines rates based on their own investigation and your claims history. However, if the accident was your fault, your insurance company will likely raise your rates regardless of the DMV report.

What if I miss the 10-day important date?

File the form as soon as you realize you missed the important date. Late filing can result in license suspension, so contact the DMV when ready. Include a brief explanation of the delay in a cover letter with the form. The sooner you file, the sooner you can address any penalties.