The Ca DMV SR1 form is a report that must be filed with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) following a traffic accident that occurs in California. This form is essential for documenting accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000, and it must be submitted within 10 days of the incident. To ensure compliance with California law, it is important to fill out this form accurately and submit it promptly.
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The California DMV SR1 form serves a critical role in documenting traffic accidents that occur within the state. This form must be completed and submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles if an accident results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. It requires essential details such as the date, time, and location of the accident, as well as information about the vehicles and drivers involved. Each driver must provide their personal information, including their name, address, and insurance details. The form also includes sections to report injuries or damages to other individuals or property. Timely submission is crucial; the DMV mandates that this form be filed within 10 days of the accident to avoid potential license suspension. Furthermore, it is important to note that the SR1 form must be submitted regardless of who is at fault in the accident. This requirement ensures that the DMV maintains accurate records of all traffic incidents, which can be vital for insurance claims and legal proceedings. In addition to filing this report, drivers should also notify law enforcement and their insurance companies about the incident.
*SR1*
Please type or print.
REPORT OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
OCCURRING IN CALIFORNIA
# OF VEHICLES DATE OF ACCIDENT
ACCIDENT LOCATION (CITY/COUNTY) (CALIFORNIA ONLY)
ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
Yes
No
TIME OF ACCIDENT
AM
Stopped
DRIVING FOR EMPLOYER
Moving
Parked
Pedestrian
Bicyclist
Other (E.G., ROLLAWAY)
INFORMATION
Hour
PM
in Traffic
DRIVER’S NAME (FIRST, MIDDLE, LAST)
DRIVER LICENSE NUMBER
STATE
DRIVER’S STREET ADDRESS
DATE OF
BIRTH
CITY
ZIP CODE
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
PARTY’S
Wk (
)
Hm (
VEHICLE (YEAR AND MAKE)
VEHICLE LICENSE PLATE OR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
DAMAGES OVER $1,000
VEHICLE OWNER (PERSON OR COMPANY)
DATE OF BIRTH
REPORTING
ADDRESS
INSURANCE COMPANY NAME (NOT AGENT OR BROKER) AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT
POLICY NUMBER
COMPANY NAIC NUMBER
POLICY PERIOD
POLICY HOLDER
NAME
From:
To:
Stopped in Traffic
OTHER
NAME AND ADDRESS OF INDIVIDUAL INJURED OR DECEASED
INJURY/DEATH PROPERTY DAMAGE
OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGED (TELEPHONE POLES, FENCE, LIVESTOCK, ETC.)
PROPERTY OWNER’S NAME AND ADDRESS
Injured
Driver
Passenger
Deceased
READ IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BACK
I certify (or declare) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.
DATE
PRINTED NAME
SIGNATURE
X
SR 1 (REV. 6/2025) WWW
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ATTACHED
Print
Clear Form
A
YOUR
CALIFORNIA INSURANCE INFORMATION
DO NOT DETACH
DMV FILE NUMBER
The Department may send this part to the insurance company indicated. If not fully completed,
VEHICLE
it will be assumed you were not insured for the accident and your license will be suspended.
NAME OF INSURANCE COMPANY (NOT AGENT OR
BROKER) THAT ISSUED THE LIABILITY POLICY
COVERING THE OPERATION OF YOUR VEHICLE
I
(DRIVER OF YOUR VEHICLE)
N
DATE OF ACCIDENT
IN OR NEAR (CITY OR TOWN) (CALIFORNIA ONLY)
S
/
U
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
VEHICLE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER
R
DRIVER
C
E
OWNER
FULL NAME OF POLICY HOLDER
SR 1A (REV. 6/2025) WWW
If the policy was not in effect, this form must be completed and returned to DMV within 20 days.
The undersigned company advises that with respect to the reported accident, the policy reported on the reverse side:
WAS NOT IN EFFECT
Was not a liability policy
Did not cover the vehicle/driver
Number is not a company policy number
Policy Number
Policy Period from
to
Signature
MAIL TO:
Title
Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 942884
Date
Sacramento, CA 94284-0884
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
California law requires traffic accidents on a California street/highway or private property to be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days if there was an injury, death or property damage in excess of $1,000. Untimely reporting could result in DMV suspending a driver license. Accidents involving vehicles not required to be registered such as an off-road vehicle (OHV), implement of husbandry, or snowmobile or occurring on a military base or occurring on the driver’s own property involving only the personal property of the driver and there was no injury or death are not reportable.
The law requires the driver to file this SR 1 form with DMV regardless of fault. This report must be made in addition to any other report filed with a law enforcement agency, insurance company, or the California Highway Patrol (CHP) as their reports do not satisfy the filing requirement. An insurance agent, attorney, or other designated representative may file the report for the driver.
The law requires every driver and every owner of a motor vehicle to be “financially responsible” for any injury or damage resulting from operating or owning a motor vehicle. The minimum insurance level for “financial responsibility” is public liability and property damage coverage of $30,000 for injury or death of one person, $60,000 for injury or death of two or more persons and $15,000 property damage per accident. Comprehensive and collision insurance does not meet the legal requirement.
The California Vehicle Code (CVC) §1806 requires DMV to record accident information regardless of fault when individuals report accidents under the Financial Responsibility Law or if law enforcement agencies or CHP investigate and make a report.
WHEN COMPLETING THIS FORM...
Please print within the spaces and boxes on this form. If you need to provide additional information on a separate piece of paper(s) or you include a copy of any law enforcement agency report, please check the box to indicate ‘Additional Information Attached’. If you are the passenger reporting the accident, be sure to identify yourself by using the ‘other’ box and stating ‘passenger’ in the explanation.
•Write unk (for unknown) or none in any space or box when you do not have information on the other party involved.
•Give insurance information that is complete and which correctly and fully identifies the company that issued the policy.
•Place the correct National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) number for your insurance company in the boxes provided. The NAIC number should be located on your insurance ID card or you can contact your insurance agent or company for the information.
•Identify any person involved in the accident (driver, passenger, bicyclist, pedestrian, etc.) who you saw was injured or complained of bodily injury or know to be deceased.
•Record in the OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGED section any damage to telephone poles, fences, street signs, guard posts, trees, livestock, dogs, etc., meeting the filing requirement, including amount. This may require that you contact the owner of the property for an estimate of damages.
•Once you have completed this report, please mail it to: Department of Motor Vehicles
Insurance Unit
Mail Station J237
DMV does not accept reports or take actions against non-reporting or uninsured motorists unless this SR 1 form is sent to DMV by someone involved in the accident or their designee and the report is received by DMV within one calendar year of the accident date.
ADVISORY STATEMENT
The accident information on the SR 1 is required under the authority of Divisions 6 and 7 of the CVC. Failure to provide the informa- tion will result in suspension of the driving privilege. Except as made confidential by law (e.g., medical information) or exempted under the Public Records Act, the information is a public record, is regularly used by law enforcement agencies and insurance companies, and is open to public inspection. CVC §16005 limits the public record for SR 1 reports to accident involvement, but does allow persons with a proper interest (involved drivers, their employers, etc.) to receive specified information. Individuals may inspect or obtain copies of information contained in their records during regular office hours. The Financial Responsibility Unit Manager, 2570 24th Street, Sacramento, CA 95818 (telephone number: 916-657-6677) is responsible for maintaining this information.
NOTICE ON COLLECTION
•DMV collection of personal information is governed by: California Information Practices Act, Civil Code §1798 et seq; Govern- ment Code (GC) §11015.5; California Public Records Act GC §6250 et seq.; California Vehicle Code §1808; Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (18 United States Code §§2721-2725).
•The information collected may be shared with authorized service providers, state, federal, and/or local government agencies, law enforcement, and commercial entities as authorized by law.
•DMV uses this information to document drivers involved in an accident with property damage over $1000, or in bodily injury, or in the death of any person.
•All information on this form is mandatory.
•Failure to provide mandatory information may result in suspension of driving privileges of any person who fails, refuses, or neglects to make a report of an accident as required.
•You have the right to review and request corrections/deletions of DMV maintained records containing your personal information.
•Questions about this form should be directed to the DMV Insurance Unit at: P.O. Box 942884, M/S J237, Sacramento, CA 94284.
•For privacy policy questions or requests contact us at: DMV Chief Privacy Officer, 2415 First Avenue, MS F127, Sacramento, CA
95818 or (916)657-6340.
Completing the California DMV SR1 form is an essential step after being involved in a traffic accident. This form helps report the incident to the DMV, ensuring compliance with state laws regarding traffic accidents. After filling out the form, it must be submitted to the appropriate DMV office within the specified timeframe to avoid potential penalties.
After completing the form, make sure to double-check all information for accuracy. If additional information is needed, attach it to the form. Once everything is in order, mail the completed SR1 form to the Department of Motor Vehicles at the provided address. Ensure that it is sent within the required timeframe to avoid any penalties.
What is the purpose of the SR 1 form?
The SR 1 form, officially known as the Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California, is required by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It serves to report traffic accidents that occur in California, particularly when there is injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. Filing this form is essential to comply with state law and to maintain your driving privileges.
Who needs to file the SR 1 form?
Any driver involved in a traffic accident in California must file the SR 1 form. This includes accidents involving injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage. Even if you believe you were not at fault, you are still required to submit this report. If you are a passenger, you can also report the accident by identifying yourself on the form.
When must the SR 1 form be submitted?
The form must be submitted to the DMV within 10 days of the accident if there were injuries, deaths, or property damage over $1,000. Failing to report the accident in a timely manner can lead to the suspension of your driver's license.
What information is required on the SR 1 form?
You will need to provide various details, including:
Completing the form accurately is crucial, as incomplete information can lead to complications.
What happens if I do not have insurance at the time of the accident?
If you were not insured at the time of the accident, you must still complete the SR 1 form and submit it to the DMV within 20 days. The DMV will assume you were uninsured if the form is not fully completed, which could result in the suspension of your driving privileges.
Can someone else file the SR 1 form on my behalf?
Yes, an insurance agent, attorney, or another designated representative can file the SR 1 form for you. However, it is important that they have all the necessary information to complete the form accurately.
What are the consequences of failing to file the SR 1 form?
Not filing the SR 1 form can lead to serious repercussions, including the suspension of your driver's license. Additionally, if the DMV does not receive the report within one calendar year of the accident, they will not take any action against non-reporting or uninsured motorists.
Completing the California DMV SR1 form accurately is crucial for ensuring that all necessary information is reported following a traffic accident. However, individuals often make several common mistakes that can lead to complications. One significant error is failing to provide complete insurance information. It is essential to include the name of the insurance company, the policy number, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) number. Incomplete information may result in the DMV assuming that the driver was uninsured at the time of the accident, potentially leading to license suspension.
Another frequent mistake involves neglecting to report all parties involved in the accident. Individuals sometimes overlook including details about passengers, pedestrians, or cyclists who may have been injured or involved. This oversight can hinder the processing of the report and may affect liability determinations. It is crucial to identify everyone involved and provide accurate information about their roles in the incident.
Additionally, many people fail to document damages accurately. When filling out the "Other Property Damaged" section, it is vital to include any damage to external property, such as fences, street signs, or vehicles. Providing an estimate of the damages may require contacting the property owner, but this information is necessary to fulfill reporting requirements. Omitting these details can lead to incomplete records and complications in insurance claims.
Individuals also sometimes misstate the date or time of the accident. Accurate timestamps are critical for establishing the context of the incident. Errors in this area can create confusion and may complicate the investigation process. It is advisable to double-check these details before submitting the form.
Lastly, failing to sign and date the form can result in delays in processing. The certification statement at the end of the SR1 form must be completed to confirm that the information provided is true and correct. Without a signature, the DMV may not accept the report, leading to potential legal repercussions. Taking the time to review the form thoroughly before submission can help avoid these common pitfalls.
The California DMV SR1 form is a crucial document for reporting traffic accidents. When filing this form, there are several other documents and forms that may be necessary or helpful in the process. Below is a list of these forms, along with a brief description of each.
Gathering these documents can help ensure a smooth process when filing the SR1 form and dealing with any related claims or legal matters. It is important to keep accurate records and to provide complete information to avoid complications.
The California DMV SR1 form is essential for reporting traffic accidents. Several other documents serve similar purposes in various contexts. Here are four such documents:
When filling out the California DMV SR1 form, it is important to follow certain guidelines to ensure accuracy and compliance. Here is a list of things you should and shouldn't do:
Misconceptions about the California DMV SR1 form can lead to confusion for drivers involved in accidents. Here are seven common misconceptions, along with clarifications for each.
Understanding these misconceptions can help drivers navigate the aftermath of an accident more effectively and ensure compliance with California law.
Key Takeaways for Using the CA DMV SR1 Form