How to get a car accident report in District of Columbia

Every rule below is quoted from District of Columbia law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.

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The short answer

To get a copy of a DC crash report, called a PD-10, the involved party or their attorney can request it from MPD by email, mail, or an in-person appointment. There is no fee for a first party request, and mail-in requests can take about six weeks to process. MPD investigates and writes a report when a crash causes a death or any reported injury, or when a vehicle is damaged badly enough that it has to be towed from the scene.

Which agency has your report

The report comes from the agency whose officer came to the crash. On interstates and state highways that is usually the state police or highway patrol. On city streets it is the city police, and outside city limits it is often the county sheriff. Ask the officer for the report number before you leave the scene.

Requesting a state police crash report

To get a copy of a DC crash report, called a PD-10, the involved party or their attorney can request it from MPD by email, mail, or an in-person appointment. There is no fee for a first party request, and mail-in requests can take about six weeks to process.

“For Mail-In requests, please allow six weeks for processing from the date the request is made.”

MPD, Request an Accident Report (PD-10) or an Incident/Offense Report (PD-251)

Your reporting duties

When you must report to police

MPD investigates and writes a report when a crash causes a death or any reported injury, or when a vehicle is damaged badly enough that it has to be towed from the scene.

“A fatality or any reported injury (regardless of how severe) occurs. A motor vehicle sustains body or mechanical damage that renders it inoperable and the damage requires the vehicle to be towed from the scene.”

MPD Metropolitan Police Academy, 13.1 Traffic Crashes (approved 4/26/2023)

Whether you must file your own report

DC does not require drivers to report a crash to the DMV. For a property damage only crash where police did not respond, drivers fill out the District's Motor Vehicle Crash Report for Property Damage Only form and return it within 5 days.

“Use only if NO police report was taken. Complete and return form within 5 DAYS of crash”

Government of the District of Columbia Motor Vehicle Crash Report for Property Damage Only form

More District of Columbia answers

Sources on this page

Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.

  1. MPD, Request an Accident Report (PD-10) or an Incident/Offense Report (PD-251)
  2. MPD Metropolitan Police Academy, 13.1 Traffic Crashes (approved 4/26/2023)
  3. Government of the District of Columbia Motor Vehicle Crash Report for Property Damage Only form

Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.