When the Los Angeles Police Department investigates a traffic collision, eligible people can request a copy of the report through the process described by LAPD. Some reports may be available through the department’s linked online provider, while others must be requested by United States mail. Confirm the investigating agency before beginning because collisions in neighboring cities or on certain highways may be handled by another department.
Who may receive an LAPD collision report?
LAPD states that traffic collision reports may be released to authorized people, including victims, representatives of a victim, and others permitted under California Vehicle Code section 20012. A representative, insurer, parent, or guardian may need a release or proof of relationship. The department may redact protected information.
Allow time for review and approval
The official LAPD traffic report request page advises waiting at least 45 days from the collision before attempting an online request so the report can be reviewed and approved for release. A serious investigation or incomplete report can take longer. If a report does not appear online, that does not necessarily mean that no report exists.
Reports that must be requested by mail
LAPD says collision reports involving an arrest, a fatality, or a juvenile cannot be released through the online system and must be requested by mail. Reports issued before February 1, 2016 also require a mail request. Review the current LAPD instructions before sending anything because eligibility, vendor links, fees, and processing rules may change.
Requesting an eligible report online
Use the link provided on LAPD’s official website, which currently directs eligible requesters to a LexisNexis-powered report service. Starting from the LAPD page helps avoid unofficial websites that charge unnecessary fees or collect personal information. Have the report or incident number, collision date, location, involved-party information, and payment method ready. Check the downloaded record to ensure it is complete.
Requesting a report by mail
LAPD provides a Traffic Collision Report Request form and mailing instructions. Its current page lists a $19 check or money order payable to LAPD and says not to send cash. Verify the fee before mailing. The request should identify the report type as traffic and include the requester’s name, mailing address, telephone number, birth date, LAPD report or incident number if known, involved-party names, occurrence date and time, location, vehicle plate and registration state, and the requester’s interest in the report.
LAPD also instructs a requester to include a signed and dated declaration that the statement is true and correct. Authorized parties and insurers should include the required releases, while parents or guardians should include proof of relationship. Use trackable mail when appropriate and keep a complete copy of the request package.
What to do if the report is delayed
First confirm that 45 days have passed and that the report is eligible for online release. Recheck the date, spelling, report number, and location. If the collision involved an arrest, death, juvenile, or older report, use the mail procedure. LAPD’s public information pages also provide contact information for report-status questions.
Reviewing the LAPD report
Check names, vehicles, insurance details, passengers, witnesses, location, direction of travel, diagram, statements, citations, and narrative. Compare the report with your photographs and exchange information. If a factual detail appears wrong or important information is missing, ask LAPD how to submit a correction request or supplemental statement. Keep the original report unchanged.
An LAPD report does not replace the separate California DMV SR-1. The DMV’s official guidance says the SR-1 is due within 10 days if anyone is injured or killed or property damage exceeds $1,000, regardless of fault and in addition to a police or insurance report.
See our online report request and collision report overview guides for more help.
General educational information only. Always verify current eligibility, fees, mailing instructions, and processing times on LAPD’s official website.