How to get a car accident report in Virginia
Every rule below is quoted from Virginia law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
The short answer
The DMV, not the State Police, keeps Virginia's official crash reports. You request one from the DMV with a written request or an Information Request Form and an $8 fee per report, mailed back by first class mail. A driver in a crash that injures or kills someone must call a law enforcement officer to the scene right away. There is no dollar threshold for this duty, it applies whenever someone is hurt or killed.
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
The DMV, not the State Police, keeps Virginia's official crash reports. You request one from the DMV with a written request or an Information Request Form and an $8 fee per report, mailed back by first class mail.
“To request a crash report, submit either a written request or a completed Information Request Form, along with your payment. The fee is $8 per crash report requested. DMV will return your fee if we do not find a report.”
Your reporting duties
When you must report to police
A driver in a crash that injures or kills someone must call a law enforcement officer to the scene right away. There is no dollar threshold for this duty, it applies whenever someone is hurt or killed.
“The driver of any vehicle involved in any accident resulting in injury to or death of any person...shall immediately give notice of the accident to a law-enforcement officer”
Whether you must file your own report
If a police officer investigates a crash that injured or killed someone, or caused $3,000 or more in damage, the officer must send a written report to the DMV within 24 hours. If no officer investigates, a driver may file their own written report with the DMV, but it is not required by this section.
“Every law-enforcement officer who in the course of duty investigates a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or total property damage to an apparent extent of $3,000 or more...shall, within twenty-four hours after completing the investigation, forward a written report of the accident to the Department”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
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.