How to Get a Crash Report in the District of Columbia

MPD's Public Documents Unit provides copies of Accident Reports (PD-10s) and Incident/Offense Reports (PD-251s). An officer at the scene of a crash may write either one.¹

D.C. law defines an accident report as any record prepared as a result of a vehicular accident. It is also known as MPD Form PD-10.²

Police do not write a report for every crash. MPD training material says most traffic collisions in the District do not require a Traffic Crash Report. If none of the listed conditions apply and the vehicle damage is minor, no report is required.³

MPD training material says officers must report a crash on public space when anyone is killed or reports any injury, however minor. Damage that makes a vehicle unable to be driven, so it must be towed, is also a listed condition. A report is always required for a hit-and-run and when a DC or federal government vehicle is involved. It is also required, whatever the damage, when a bus, taxicab, limousine or other public transportation vehicle is involved, or when the owner or operator of the damaged vehicle or property is not at the scene.³

On private property, MPD policy requires a Traffic Crash Report when anyone is killed or injured. Other private-property crashes that MPD's training material does not list get an Incident Report classified as Damage to Property.³

By email. MPD accepts PD-10 requests by email. It offers this for people who live outside the District or can't come to the office in person. Use the email address on MPD's PD-10 request page. Include the crash details, a copy of your photo ID and a completed PD Form 10B.¹

By mail. Send your request to: Metropolitan Police Department, Public Documents Section, ATTN: Accident/Incident Reports, 441 4th Street, NW, Room 550 South, Washington, DC 20001. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. MPD's Police Clearances and Reports page says every report request sent by mail needs a money order.^1,4

In person, by appointment only. You can request a PD-10 at MPD Headquarters. Book your appointment by phone, using the number on MPD's request page. The Public Documents Section is at 441 4th Street, NW, Room 550 South, Washington, DC 20001. MPD lists hours of 9 am to 5 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 9 am to 7 pm on Tuesday and Thursday.^1,4

For an Incident/Offense Report (PD-251) in person, MPD says to book an appointment through the scheduling link on its request page.¹

Through FOIA, if you were not involved in the crash. MPD says third-party requests should go through its FOIA Office. MPD says the quickest way to submit a FOIA request is the DC Government's FOIA public access website. You can also mail it to MPD's FOIA Officer at 441 4th Street, NW, Suite 1100S, Washington, DC 20001. Mark the envelope "FOIA Request" clearly. MPD's FOIA page lists PD-10 copies among documents that do not need a FOIA request, so if you were involved, use the steps above.^1,5

Crash details. For email or mail requests, MPD asks for as much as you have of: your full name, the date, location and time of the crash, and the six-digit report number (CCN).¹

Photo ID. Email and mail requests need a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID. A scan or digital photo is fine. PD Form 10B lists a driver's license, passport, U.S. Permanent Resident Card or military ID as examples.^1,6

PD Form 10B. Email and mail requests need a completed copy of PD Form 10B (Application for PD Form 10 Accident Report). A scan or digital photo is fine. The form includes a signed statement that your information is true and accurate.^1,6

For an in-person request, bring your name with the date, location and time of the crash, or the six-digit CCN. Also bring valid government-issued photo ID.¹

Each MPD report gets a six-digit number called the CCN. If you don't have it, MPD says to call the station of the police district that responded to your crash.¹

If an attorney or investigator requests the report for you, PD Form 10B asks for their own government photo ID. They also need one of these: a signed retainer agreement with you, or a notarized document from you saying the PD-10 is requested in anticipation of or for pending litigation involving the crash.⁶

For a FOIA request about yourself, MPD asks for the date, time and place of the crash, the Central Complaint Number if you have it, and proof of your identity. Attorneys should attach proof that they represent the client, such as a retainer agreement or client authorization.⁵

MPD's PD-10 request page says copies are usually free for first-party requesters, meaning people involved in the crash. Insurance companies requesting for claim purposes pay $3 for each report.¹

MPD's Police Clearances and Reports page states a $3 fee for all Accident Reports (PD-10s). This does not match the request page. Check the fee with the Public Documents Section before you pay. The same page says mailed requests need a money order.⁴

MPD says fees for producing a PD-251 incident report are temporarily waived.¹

There is no fee to submit a DC FOIA request. Agencies may charge fees for search, review and copying.^5,7

For mail-in requests, MPD asks you to allow six weeks for processing from the date you make the request.¹

For FOIA requests, DC law requires a response within 15 business days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal public holidays. In unusual circumstances, the agency may extend this by 10 more business days.⁵

MPD says only a first party may request a PD-10. That means a person involved in the crash, or that person's attorney, attorney staff or investigators. If you were not involved, MPD says to go through its FOIA Office.¹

Someone else can request the report for you as your agent. PD Form 10B lists a notarized document from you authorizing the agent to get the PD-10.⁶

D.C. law limits who can get personal information from an accident report. It may be released to a person who shows enough written proof of an allowed use. Allowed uses include a current or expected civil, criminal, administrative or arbitral proceeding, including use by a person involved in the crash and listed on the report. They also include an investigation in anticipation of litigation by an attorney, or the attorney's agent, representing someone involved in the crash. The information may not be used to solicit clients.²

D.C. law also allows release to an insurer, insurance support organization or self-insured entity for claims investigation, anti-fraud work, rating or underwriting. Anyone may get it for any use if they show written consent from the person the report is about.²

MPD may ask for documents to support a request for personal information, and it alone decides whether they are enough. The protected personal information does not include facts about the crash itself, driving violations or driver status.²

Call 911 if anyone is hurt. DDOT says to call 911 right away if you need medical or police help, or if the vehicles are damaged and can't be driven.^8,9

Do not report a crash to DC DMV. DC DMV says not to report any crash to it. For a non-injury crash, DMV says to complete the Non-Injury Checklist and Guide and notify your insurance company. DDOT marks that checklist for informational purposes only.^8,10

When you exchange information after a non-injury crash, DDOT advises you not to give out your driver's license number or address.⁹

D.C. law sets duties after a crash. If you damage someone's property and the owner or operator is not there, you must give your identifying information and the crash location to law enforcement or 911. If someone is injured, you must call 911 or emergency help if necessary, or have someone call. You must stay until law enforcement arrives and give your identifying information to law enforcement and the injured person.¹¹

You cannot report a traffic crash with MPD's online police reporting tool. MPD says incidents that don't qualify for online reporting go to 911 or the nearest police district.¹²

MPD training material says that when officers don't write a report for a minor-damage crash, they must give the people involved DDOT's Motor Vehicle Crash Report for Property Damage Only form. The form says to use it only if no police report was taken, and to complete and return it within 5 days of the crash. MPD's training material says the people involved must send it to DDOT. The old D.C. Code section on required accident reports (§ 50–1301.10) is marked repealed.^3,13,14

If no police report was written and you need the other driver's insurance information, DC DMV can give you its insurance of record for a DC tag number. The fee is $7.00. You can look it up online, or mail a letter with the DC tag number and a check or money order payable to DC Treasurer to DC DMV, PO Box 90120, Washington, DC 20090. The record shows only insurance information, not personal information about the vehicle owner.^15,16