How to Get a Crash Report in North Carolina

Crash reports from all North Carolina law enforcement agencies are forwarded to NCDMV. NCDMV keeps them in a database. The records contain confidential personal information and are not open to the public.^1,4

The State Highway Patrol says certified crash reports must come from NCDMV. Since January 1, 2013, NCDMV has provided only certified crash reports.^2,4

The State Highway Patrol's online Collision Reports system has crashes the Highway Patrol investigated since May 16, 2013. Reports from that system are not certified.⁵

By mail: Print the Crash Report Request form (TR-67A) and fill it out completely and correctly. Mail it with your payment to Traffic Records Branch, Crash Reports Unit, 3106 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27697-3106. Make your check or money order payable to NCDMV and sign it. Do not send cash.^3,4

In person: Bring a printed TR-67A form and your payment to one of two locations. One is Raleigh Central Services/License Plate Agency, 4121 New Bern Ave., Raleigh, NC 27616. Use the door marked Vehicle Registration, not Driver License. The other is the Huntersville License Plate Agency, 12101 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road, Huntersville, NC 28078. If you ask for five records or fewer, you can get them right away. Larger requests must go by mail.³

Highway Patrol online search: If the State Highway Patrol investigated your crash, you can search for the report in its online Collision Reports system. The system has crashes investigated since May 16, 2013. You can search by report number, name, driver's license number or vehicle plate number. You must first read and accept the Terms of Use for form DMV-349. A report from this system is not a certified crash report. For a certified copy, request one from NCDMV.^5,6

Online, for businesses and organizations only: You cannot order a crash report online from NCDMV as an individual. Businesses and organizations based in or licensed to operate in North Carolina can order online. Out-of-state businesses and organizations must send their requests by mail. To open a downloaded report, you need a PDF viewer. NCDMV recommends a laptop or desktop.³

Form TR-67A asks for the driver's name, the driver license number, the date of the crash and the county where it happened.⁴

The form also asks for your ID type, ID number and the state that issued it. If you were involved in the crash, this can be your driver's license or state ID number.⁴

You sign the form. By signing, you acknowledge that information about the people in the report is privileged, confidential and not to be made public.⁴

Fill out the whole form correctly. NCDMV denies a request if the form is not completed or the explanation is not sufficient. Mistakes can also delay your request or get it sent back.^3,4

Form TR-67A warns about false statements. Knowingly making a false statement on the form, or misrepresenting your identity or how you qualify under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), carries state and federal criminal and civil penalties.⁴

Businesses and organizations must confirm a federal permissible use. They must also submit ID that verifies their profession or agency status.³

To order online for a business or organization, you need your North Carolina driver license or ID card number and your Social Security, ITIN or U.S. visa number. You also need the involved driver's license number and the date of the crash.³

To search the Highway Patrol system by report number, you need the report number, the driver's last name, the crash date and the county. Leave the last name blank if there was no driver. You must also accept the DMV-349 terms.⁶

A certified crash report from NCDMV costs $6.50. Both NCDMV's Crash Reports page and form TR-67A list this fee.^3,4

Make your check or money order payable to NCDMV and sign it. Cash is not accepted for mailed requests.^3,4

NCDMV's crash report manual says the investigating officer must write the crash report within 24 hours after the investigation is completed. The law enforcement agency must then submit the report to NCDMV within 10 days after receiving it.⁷

If you order by mail, allow 10 business days from the day NCDMV receives your request.³

If you order in person and ask for five records or fewer, you can get them right away.³

Highway Patrol crash reports are normally entered into its online Collision Reports system within 5 to 7 business days.⁵

If you were involved in the crash, you can order a redacted copy by mail or in person. Individuals receive only a redacted report. Some personal details, such as names or addresses, are hidden.³

An unredacted copy requires a permissible use under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). NCDMV discloses crash reports under the DPPA and North Carolina General Statute § 20-43.1.^3,4

Requests that do not meet a permissible use receive only the redacted version. Form TR-67A has a redacted-copy option for a party involved in the crash who has no DPPA permissible use. It also has one for a requester who does not qualify under a DPPA permissible use.^3,4

NCDMV's terms say that a request for your own personal record does not apply to crash reports unless there is a DPPA permissible use.⁸

For crash reports, only permissible uses (1), (2), (4), (6), (7) and (8), printed on page 2 of TR-67A, allow an unredacted copy. Use (1) is for government agencies and those acting on their behalf. Use (4) covers civil, criminal, administrative or arbitration proceedings in a federal, state or local court or agency. Use (6) covers insurers, insurance support organizations and self-insured entities for claims investigation, antifraud activities, rating or underwriting. Use (7) covers notifying the owners of previously towed or impounded vehicles.⁴

Some uses have limits. Uses (1) and (2) are accepted only for in-person or mailed requests. The motor-vehicle-related use cannot be used for online orders. Licensed private investigators and security services must select another permissible use together with use (8).^4,8

A business or organization based in or licensed to operate in North Carolina, such as an insurer, attorney's office or private investigator, can request an unredacted report by mail, in person or online. It must confirm a federal permissible use.³

To search the Highway Patrol's Collision Reports system, you must accept the DMV-349 Terms of Use. You certify that you are qualified to get the information for your own personal record, or that you qualify under one of the listed exceptions.⁶

Every North Carolina law enforcement agency forwards its crash reports to NCDMV. The agency must submit each report within 10 days after receiving it.^1,7

All North Carolina law enforcement officers are to use the DMV Crash Report Form, on paper or electronically, to report crashes.⁷

As a driver, you must report a crash right away to the nearest law enforcement officer or agency when someone is killed or injured. You must also report it when total damage to vehicles and other property appears to be $1,000 or more.⁹

If you do not make that report, you may face prosecution and a driver license suspension.⁹

As a driver in a crash, you must give the others involved your name, address, driver license number, vehicle registration number and insurance company. You must also get the same information from them.⁹

In certain cases, if you drove a vehicle in a reportable crash, you must provide proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance) on forms from DMV. The forms are filed with DMV. A reportable crash meets at least one criterion, such as a death, a non-fatal injury or total property damage of $1,000 or more.^7,9