How to Get a Crash Report in Virginia

Virginia DMV keeps the official record of all reportable crashes in Virginia. When asked how to get a copy of a crash report, Virginia State Police also says DMV keeps the official record.^1,2

Virginia State Police says you can get an accident report (FR300) through DMV. It also says Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for crash reports must go to DMV.³

Every law-enforcement officer who investigates a crash with injury, death or property damage that appears to total $3,000 or more must send a written report to DMV. The report must name the insurance carrier or agent for the auto liability policy on each vehicle involved.⁴

DMV is only required to provide copies of reports that the law requires to be made directly to DMV.⁵

By mail: Send a written request or a completed Form CRD 93 (Information Request), along with payment. Pay by check or money order only, made payable to DMV. Mail it to Customer Records Work Center, Room 514, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Post Office Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269.^1,6,7

In person: Make an appointment at any DMV customer service center, or stop by. Submit a written request or a completed Form CRD 93 with payment. In person, DMV accepts cash, check, money order or credit card.^1,6

By fax: Fax a written request or a completed Form CRD 93. Include a completed License, ID Card and Records Payment Authorization (Form DMS 004) as payment. Fax the DMS 004; do not mail it. DMV's crash report page and the DMS 004 form list different fax numbers, so check with DMV which one to use before you send.^1,6

High-volume requesters: If you request reports in high volume, you can choose to be billed. Contact DMV's Customer Records Work Center with your company name and federal identification number.¹

A written request must state how you were involved in the crash. For example, you were the driver, an injured person, or the owner of a vehicle or property involved.¹

A written request must also include the crash date and time, and the location (street and city, town or county).¹

If you were not the driver, a written request must include the driver's name.¹

If you were involved in the crash, a written request must include your driver's license number.¹

If you use Form CRD 93, select your requester type and give as much crash information as you can. You must sign the certification on the form.^1,6,7

Form CRD 93 asks for a federal tax ID or Social Security number in its requester section. It also has a section for recording proof of your identification.⁷

On Form CRD 93, you acknowledge that it is unlawful to use DMV information for any purpose other than the one you state.⁷

DMV charges $8 for each crash report you request.^1,8

If DMV does not find a report, it returns your fee.¹

For mailed requests, DMV accepts only a check or money order, made payable to DMV.^1,7

For in-person requests, DMV accepts cash, check, money order or credit card.¹

For fax requests, you pay with the DMS 004 payment authorization. It accepts Mastercard, Visa, Discover or American Express.^1,6

The investigating officer must send the written crash report to DMV within 24 hours after completing the investigation.⁴

DMV sends the documents you request by U.S. Postal Service first class mail.¹

DMV stores crash data in its Traffic Records Electronic Data System (TREDS). By law, it must keep crash reports for at least 36 months from the crash date.^1,5

DMV releases a complete crash report to people involved in the crash and their authorized representatives.¹

That includes the driver, passengers, injured persons, and the owner of a vehicle or property involved at the time of the crash. It also includes an attorney for anyone involved, injured or killed.^1,5

A personal representative of anyone injured or killed can also get the report, such as a guardian, conservator, executor, next of kin or administrator.^1,5

If a person under 18 was injured or killed, their parent or legal guardian can get the report.^1,5

An authorized representative of an insurance company can see the report if the company reasonably expects it could face civil liability from the crash. So can a representative of an insurance company you have applied to for a new or renewed auto policy.⁵

A towing and recovery operator that answered a public safety towing request for a vehicle in the crash can see the report, but only to get the registered owner and insurance information. It may not share the report with anyone else.⁵

If you are allowed to see a report, DMV must give you a copy, on paper or electronically, when you ask in writing. You pay the cost.⁵

Where the law otherwise allows it, DMV may give anyone basic details: the crash date, time and location, and the names and addresses of the drivers, vehicle owners, injured people, witnesses and one investigating officer.⁹

Officers' crash reports are for the confidential use of DMV and other state agencies for accident prevention. They cannot be used as evidence in a civil or criminal trial arising from the crash. Access is governed by Virginia Code §§ 46.2-379 and 46.2-380, and DMV may only release a full report as § 46.2-380 allows.^3,7,9

Virginia law lets a law-enforcement agency use a contracted service provider to send crash reports to DMV electronically and to manage or hand out copies to the people the law allows to get them.⁴

Fairfax County Police calls reportable crash reports FR300P reports. One must go to DMV for every crash on public property involving death, personal injury, or property damage of $3,000 or more. Reportable crashes after May 1, 2017, are in TREDS and are only available through DMV.¹⁰

Fairfax County Police will provide, on request, reportable crash reports entered into its records system before May 1, 2017.¹⁰

Fairfax County Police may record crashes that are not reportable to the state in its own records system. It lists these as non-reportable: hit-and-run crashes on public property under $3,000, and crashes on private property involving death, personal injury or hit and run.¹⁰

Fairfax County Police takes in-person requests for non-reportable crash reports at Central Records, Public Safety Headquarters, 12099 Government Center Parkway, Suite 1400, Fairfax, VA 22035. Hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Walk-in service ends 15 minutes before closing, and Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM is by appointment only.¹⁰

If you mail a request for a non-reportable crash report to Fairfax County Police, mark the envelope as a request for a non-reportable crash report and pay by check or money order. Allow about three to four weeks.¹⁰

Fairfax County Police charges no fee for a non-reportable crash report to drivers, passengers, property owners or injured persons. Everyone else pays $5, by credit card, money order or check payable to the County of Fairfax. Central Records does not accept cash.¹⁰

Fairfax County Police says it cannot release police reports and records until the associated case is officially closed.¹⁰

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office releases copies of its reports only to people listed on the report or the insured person's insurance company. You must request a report through its online portal, whether you want it electronically or in person.¹¹

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office charges businesses and out-of-county residents a $10 fee. It accepts cash, check or credit card, and carries only $75 in change for cash payments.¹¹

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office accident and incident reports are only available at its headquarters. The Sheriff's Office address is 803 Sycolin Road SE, Leesburg, VA 20175. To pick up a report in person, show valid government photo ID: an alien resident card, driver's license, DMV-issued ID card, military ID card or passport.¹¹

The Alexandria Police Department's website has a 'Request a Crash Report' link that goes to crashdocs.org/va-alexandriapd.¹²

If a crash causes injury or death, the driver, or someone acting for the driver, must immediately notify a law-enforcement officer. Willfully failing to give this notice is a Class 4 misdemeanor.¹³

DMV says crashes may be reported by law enforcement or by an individual. If you were in a crash that caused injury, death or property damage, or you have reason to believe a vehicle involved was uninsured, you may make a written report to DMV.^1,14

To file a voluntary report, use DMV Form FR 200, Voluntary Report of a Crash. The form lists two reasons for filing: you believe the other vehicle is uninsured, or the other vehicle's owner is unknown. Mail the completed form to DMV's Insurance Verification Division.¹⁵

Virginia State Police says you can report a crash directly to DMV on form FR-200 if it meets the reporting criteria. It also says that if the vehicle has been removed from the scene and no original report was made to State Police, it cannot make a crash report documenting the damage.²