The MV-44 is California's form for reporting a vehicle accident to the DMV

The MV-44 is California's official accident report form. You file it with the Department of Motor Vehicles when you are involved in a vehicle accident that causes injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more. The form tells the DMV what happened, who was involved, and what damage or injuries resulted. California law requires you to report accidents meeting these thresholds within 10 days.

You do not file the MV-44 with police. Police file their own accident report separately. The MV-44 goes directly to the DMV. Filing it protects you by creating an official record and can affect your driving record, insurance rates, and license status if you do not report when required.

If you caused an accident and did not file the MV-44 within the 10-day window, the DMV may suspend your license. If you were not at fault, filing still protects you by documenting your account of what happened.

Key Takeaways

  • File the MV-44 within 10 days of any accident involving injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more.
  • Send the form to the DMV, not to police — police file their own separate report.
  • Failure to file when required can result in license suspension, even if you were not at fault.
  • The form asks for driver information, vehicle details, accident location, and a description of what happened.
  • You can obtain the MV-44 from the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.

When you must file the MV-44

California law requires the MV-44 if the accident involves any of these: injury to any person, death, or property damage totaling $1,000 or more. Property damage includes damage to your vehicle, the other vehicle, and any other property (a fence, mailbox, parked car). If you are unsure whether damage exceeds $1,000, file the form — it is safer than guessing and missing the important date.

You must file within 10 calendar days of the accident. If the 10th day falls on a weekend or holiday, you can file the next business day. The DMV counts the day of the accident as day one. Mailing the form counts as filing on the date you mail it, not the date the DMV receives it, so mail it early enough to arrive within the window.

If you were not driving but owned the vehicle and someone else caused the accident, you are still responsible for filing if the damage threshold is met. If you rented the vehicle, check your rental agreement — some rental companies file on behalf of renters, but you should confirm this before the important date passes.

What information you need to provide

The MV-44 asks for your driver's license number, vehicle registration number, and insurance information. You will also need the other driver's name, address, phone number, driver's license number, vehicle information, and insurance details. If there were passengers or witnesses, include their names and contact information.

The form asks you to describe how the accident happened, where it happened (street names or landmarks), the date and time, weather conditions, and road conditions. Be factual and brief — do not admit fault or speculate about what the other driver was thinking. Stick to what you saw and heard. If you do not remember a detail, leave it blank rather than guessing.

You will also report whether anyone was injured or killed, and whether police responded. If police filed a report, include the report number and the name of the police agency. If no police report was filed, note that as well.

How to obtain and submit the MV-44

read the MV-44 from the California DMV website (dmv.ca.gov). Search for "MV-44" and you will find a PDF you can print and fill out by hand or fill out on your computer before printing. The form is also available at any DMV office — you can pick one up in person or request it by mail.

Mail the completed form to the address listed on the form itself. Do not file it online — the DMV does not accept electronic submission of the MV-44. Use certified mail or regular mail; certified mail gives you proof of mailing, which is useful if the DMV later claims they did not receive it. Keep a copy for your records.

If you are filing in person at a DMV office, bring the original form and a photo ID. Some offices accept walk-ins, but call ahead to confirm hours and whether an appointment is needed in your area. Filing in person gives you a receipt showing the DMV received your form on that date.

What happens after you file

The DMV reviews the MV-44 and adds the accident to your driving record. This record is visible to insurance companies and can affect your rates. The DMV does not investigate the accident or determine fault — that is the job of police (if they responded) and insurance companies. The MV-44 is straightforward your account of what happened.

If you were at fault and caused injury or significant damage, the DMV may require you to show proof of financial responsibility (insurance). If you cannot show proof, your license may be suspended. This is separate from any criminal charges or civil lawsuit that might result from the accident.

If the other driver files a claim against your insurance, your insurance company will use the police report and the MV-44 (along with other evidence) to decide whether to pay the claim. Filing the MV-44 does not determine the outcome of an insurance claim, but it creates an official record of your version of events.

Scams and mistakes to avoid

Do not pay anyone to file the MV-44 for you. The form is free and straightforward. Anyone charging a fee to submit it is running a scam. The DMV does not hire third parties to collect accident reports.

Do not delay filing because you are waiting for the police report or the other driver's insurance information. File within 10 days with whatever information you have. You can update the form later if needed, but missing the important date can result in license suspension even if you were not at fault.

Do not admit fault or apologize in the accident description. Statements like "I was not paying attention" or "I should have been going slower" can be used against you in insurance claims or lawsuits. Describe only what happened: "I was traveling north on Main Street at approximately 25 mph when the other vehicle turned left in front of me from the southbound lane."

Do not file a false report. Lying on the MV-44 is a crime. If you were not actually in the vehicle or did not witness the accident, do not file the form yourself — the actual driver must file it.

If you did not file within 10 days

If you missed the 10-day important date, file the MV-44 as soon as possible. Include a note explaining why you filed late. The DMV may still suspend your license for the late filing, but filing late is better than not filing at all. Contact the DMV to ask whether your license has already been suspended and what steps you need to take to reinstate it.

If your license was suspended due to failure to file, you will need to show proof of financial responsibility (insurance) and pay a reinstatement fee to get your license back. The amount varies, so contact your local DMV office for the current fee.

If you believe you should not have been required to file (for example, because damage was under $1,000), you can request a hearing with the DMV to contest the suspension. Bring documentation of the damage estimate or repair bill to show the threshold was not met.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to file the MV-44 if police came to the accident scene?

Yes. Police file their own report with their agency, but you must still file the MV-44 with the DMV. The two reports serve different purposes. Include the police report number on the MV-44 if you have it.

What if the other driver refuses to give me their information?

Write down their license plate number, vehicle description, and any other details you can see. If there were witnesses, get their contact information. File the MV-44 with the information you have and note that the other driver refused to provide details. If police responded, they will have obtained the information.

Can I file the MV-44 online?

No. The DMV does not accept online submission of the MV-44. You must mail it or file it in person at a DMV office. Mail it early to may support it arrives within the 10-day important date.

Will filing the MV-44 increase my insurance rates?

Filing the form itself does not increase your rates, but the accident on your driving record may. Your insurance company decides rates based on the accident and whether you were found at fault. Filing the MV-44 does not determine fault — that is decided by insurance companies and courts.

What if I was hit by a car that left the scene?

File the MV-44 with the information you have and note that the other vehicle left the scene. Report the hit-and-run to police when ready and include the police report number on the MV-44. This protects you and creates an official record for insurance purposes.