How to Request an LAPD Traffic Collision Report

The Los Angeles Police Department investigates collisions on surface streets within the City of Los Angeles (freeways are handled by the CHP). If the LAPD responded, its Records and Identification Division processes the report.

The LAPD releases traffic collision reports to authorized persons — victims, a victim’s representative, or others as provided in California Vehicle Code § 20012.

• Online through the LAPD’s online report portal (some reports are not available online — for example those involving an arrest, a fatality, a juvenile, or issued before Feb 1, 2016)
• By mail using the Traffic Collision Report Request Form sent to the Records and Identification Division, Document Processing Unit

• Your name, address, phone and date of birth
• The LAPD Report (DR) number and/or Incident number
• Involved parties’ names
• Date, time and location of the collision
• Vehicle license plates and registration states
• Your interest in the report, and a signed declaration

As stated by the LAPD, allow a minimum of 45 days from the collision date before requesting online, and certain reports must be requested by mail. A fee applies to mailed requests. Confirm current fees and timing on the official LAPD resource below.

Provide the date, time, location and involved parties, and contact the Records and Identification Division. You can also use Find My Accident to locate the record first.