How to Get a Crash Report in New York

Police departments in New York send their Police Accident Reports (form MV-104A) to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Some reports arrive electronically and some on paper. Insurance companies routinely get copies of these reports from DMV.^1,3

When a person is injured or killed, the police and every driver involved must file an accident report with DMV. Once police or driver reports are filed and processed, you can get PDF copies from DMV.^1,4

In New York City, NYPD keeps collision reports at the precinct for 30 days. It then forwards them to the New York State Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.²

For crashes the New York State Police investigated on roads other than the Thruway, requests for the report go to DMV.¹

For Thruway crashes investigated by State Police Troop T, requests go to the New York State Thruway Authority. This covers I-87 south of Albany, I-90 west of Albany, the Berkshire Spur east of Albany, I-190, and the Westchester County portions of I-287 and I-95.¹

In New York City, NYPD says collisions that cause only property damage do not have to be reported to the police.⁵

Online from DMV: Use DMV's Order Crash Reports Online portal to search for, pay for and immediately download certified crash reports. DMV's page offers two ways in, depending on whether you already have an NY.gov ID. After you pay, you download the reports as PDFs in the portal. You have 7 calendar days to access them. After that, you must buy them again. The portal does not offer reports of crashes involving e-bikes or e-scooters, or of crashes where no one was hurt and there was no property damage over $1,000.³

Online through DMV's Records Request Navigator: Order a certified copy online and have a DMV agent do the search. DMV offers this if you cannot use the online portal or would prefer an agent to search. You can use it without an NY.gov ID, for example if you live out of state. For crashes with no injuries and no property damage over $1,000, DMV says you can use this service or mail form MV-198C.^3,6

Online from NYPD (New York City): Use NYPD's Collision Report Retrieval Portal for collision reports taken after September 30, 2016. You submit your details and receive an email with a verification PIN.^2,7

In person at an NYPD precinct: During the first 30 days after the report is filed, you can request a copy at the precinct where the collision happened. Complete two copies of NYPD's Request for Copy of Collision Record and drop them off at the precinct.^2,8

By mail to DMV: Fill out form MV-198C, Request for Copy of Crash Report, with as much information as you can. Mail the completed form, your payment and a copy of your ID to NYSDMV, MV-198C Processing, 6 Empire State Plaza, Albany NY 12228. On the form, choose whether you want the certified report delivered electronically through a secure portal or by USPS mail. The form is only for crashes that happened in New York State.^3,9

By mail to an NYPD precinct: During the first 30 days, mail two completed copies of the Request for Copy of Collision Record to the precinct where the collision happened. Enclose a stamped, self-addressed 9½ x 4 inch envelope and a photocopy of a current, valid photo ID. The form explains how to get the precinct's mailing address.^2,8

From the Thruway Authority (Thruway crashes): Use form TA-W4310, which is only for crashes on the New York State Thruway System. Mail it to New York State Thruway Authority, Department #116251, P.O. Box 5211, Binghamton, NY 13902, or email it to the address on the form. If you email it, you must pay by credit card. You can choose to get the report by mail or by email. Emailed reports are PDFs.^1,10

NYPD fatal and critical-injury collisions: When NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad investigates, the investigator contacts next of kin and gives them a free copy of the collision report at the start of the investigation. To get forms prepared only in fatal collisions, write to the NYPD Highway District Collision Investigation Squad, 198-15 Grand Central Parkway, Hollis, Queens, N.Y. 11423. Once the investigation is complete, you can request the full case file through NYPD's Freedom of Information Law Unit, with the fee waived.^8,11

For DMV's online portal, you need at least one of these to start: the DMV case number (an 8-digit number), the local police code, the date of the crash, the county of the crash, a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the plate number of an involved vehicle, or a driver license number. Some of these fields need at least one more detail before the search can continue.³

For DMV's Records Request Navigator, you must give the date of the crash and the county where it happened. You also need at least one of these: the plate number of an involved vehicle, the driver license number of an involved person, or the name and date of birth of an involved person.³

For form MV-198C, include a copy of your valid government-issued ID. Fill in as much information as you can.^3,9

If DMV cannot find a crash from the information you provide, it will notify you by certified letter.³

For NYPD's online portal, have the collision date and the borough where it happened. The form also asks for a driver license number, date of birth, license plate number and license plate state.⁷

For NYPD's Request for Copy of Collision Record, type or print the information. Complete sections 2 and 4 in all cases, or NYPD will return the request. Incomplete information may also get it returned. Use a separate application for each record you want.⁸

If you mail the NYPD form, enclose a photocopy of a current, valid photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport.⁸

DMV online portal: a $7.00 search fee and a $15.00 report fee for each report, charged at the same time.³

DMV Records Request Navigator: a $10 search fee and a $15 report fee for each report.³

DMV by mail (form MV-198C): $15 for each report plus a $10 non-refundable search fee. Pay by check or money order payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Do not send cash.⁹

Thruway Authority: a non-refundable $15.00 search fee, payable to New York State Thruway Authority by check, money order (U.S. currency) or credit card. If you email your request, you must pay by credit card. A returned check costs $25.00.¹⁰

NYPD fatal and critical-injury investigations: next of kin get a free copy of the collision report. The fee for the full case file from NYPD's Freedom of Information Law Unit is waived.¹¹

Vehicle and Traffic Law § 202 sets the fee for a copy of an accident report at $15, with certification at no extra fee. It sets the fee for a manual search by DMV at $10 until April 1, 2028, and at $5 from that date.¹²

Public Officers Law § 66-a sets State Police fees: a $15 search fee per accident report with no extra fee for a photocopy, $15 more for a certified copy, and $25 per accident photograph or contact sheet.¹³

DMV says an electronically filed police report from one of New York City's five boroughs enters its system at least 14 days after the crash. A paper police report takes at least 30 days. A report filed by a driver, from anywhere in New York State, takes at least 60 days.³

The State Police says its reports are generally available within 30 days, though several factors affect timing. Some may be ready within three weeks, while others can take as long as six weeks.¹

NYPD says it may take up to seven business days from the date of the incident for a report to be available on its online portal.²

After you buy reports on DMV's online portal, you can download them right away. You have 7 calendar days to access them.³

Form MV-198C says to allow up to 5 business days for processing when you order through the Records Request Navigator.⁹

The Thruway Authority says reports may not be available right away. Allow 4 weeks for processing.¹⁰

NYPD says material from a fatal collision investigation, such as witness statements, scene photographs and findings, is available only after the investigation ends. Its Highway Collision Investigation Squad usually completes an investigation within six months.¹¹

DMV's online portal asks you to certify that you are legally authorized to get the report you are looking for. If you need several reports, you must repeat this certification for each new search.³

On form MV-198C, you must sign page 2 and select all the permissible uses under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act that apply to you.⁹

Public Officers Law § 66-a opens accident reports kept by the State Police and by county, city, town, village and other district police departments to inspection. Anyone with an interest in a report, or that person's attorney or agent, can inspect it.¹³

The same law lets these agencies withhold a report if releasing it would interfere with their investigation or prosecution of a crime connected with the accident.¹³

The Thruway Authority's form lists requester statements. One of them is that you are named in the accident report.¹⁰

In NYPD fatal or critical-injury investigations, the investigator gives next of kin a free copy of the collision report. Once the investigation is complete, the public can request the full case file.¹¹

DMV says you can call or visit the local police agency or precinct where the crash happened. Ask whether the report is available and what the fee is.⁴

For a report written by a police department other than the State Police, the State Police says to request it from DMV on form MV-198C or contact the investigating police agency directly.¹

In New York City, NYPD says that after 30 days from the date of the collision report, all requests must go to DMV on form MV-198C.²

State law lets Nassau County, by adopting a local law, require the Nassau County police department to charge a $10 search fee per accident report. That provision is marked for repeal on December 31, 2027. Ask the department what it charges.^4,13

DMV says you must file your own crash report if a person is injured or killed, or if damage to the property of any one person, including you, is over $1,000. You must also file if an e-bike or e-scooter is involved and a person is injured or killed.⁴

Vehicle and Traffic Law § 605 and form MV-104 both say to report within 10 days of the crash.^14,15

NYPD says that if a report is required, you must still file a Report of Motor Vehicle Crash (MV-104) with DMV even if police took a Police Crash Report (MV-104P) at the scene.¹⁶

Form MV-104 says failing to report within 10 days is a misdemeanor. DMV may suspend your license or registration until the report is on file.^4,15

Form MV-104 says a report is not complete and filed unless it is signed. An unsigned report may lead to suspension of your driver license.¹⁵

To file online, use DMV's Online Motorist Report Submission Portal. It walks you through whether your crash requires an MV-104 report. DMV offers separate paths depending on whether you already have an NY.gov ID.^4,17

To file by mail, complete form MV-104 and send the original to the Crash Records Center, 6 Empire State Plaza, PO Box 2925, Albany, NY 12220-0925. NYPD says the form is available online or at your local precinct or police service area.^4,5,15

Form MV-104 says not to file it if the crash did not happen in New York State.¹⁵