This is general information, not legal advice. The rules below are quoted from the DMV’s SR-1 page [1]; this page does not decide whether your crash meets them.
What the SR-1 is
The DMV’s page is titled “Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR-1)” and says: “Report a traffic accident by filing an SR-1.” [1]
It is its own report. In the DMV’s words: “An SR-1 report is required in addition to any other report made to the police, CHP, or your insurance company.” [1] A police report is a separate thing; how to get one in Oakland is on how to get an Oakland police report for a car accident.
Who files it, when, and for which crashes
The DMV puts all three in one sentence [1]:
“You or your insurance agent, broker, or legal representative must complete an SR-1 report and send it to DMV within 10 days if someone is injured (no matter how minor the injury) or killed, or property damage is over $1000.”
- Who: “You or your insurance agent, broker, or legal representative.”
- When: “within 10 days.”
- Which crashes: when “someone is injured (no matter how minor the injury) or killed, or property damage is over $1000.”
To see the 10-day date for your own crash, enter its date in what happens next after a crash.
Where to find the form
All of it is on the DMV’s SR-1 page [1]:
- an online form, behind the page’s “Start an SR-1” button;
- a printable copy of the form (PDF); the DMV notes that “paper submissions are likely to take longer to process”;
- a Spanish version (PDF).
Before you begin, the DMV says to gather [1]:
- your driver’s license or identification (DL/ID) card;
- your vehicle’s license plate number or vehicle identification number (VIN);
- your vehicle’s insurance information;
- the other party’s vehicle and insurance information, if applicable.
The rest of the first days
The scene, the police report, your insurer and the first exam are on what to do after a car accident in Oakland. The dates that apply to your crash are on what happens next.
If you were hurt
Get examined as soon as you can. An early, dated exam starts your record from the beginning.
Auto insurance, MedPay, PIP, and liens accepted.
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Questions
What is an SR-1 form?
When is the SR-1 due, and for which crashes?
Who files the SR-1?
Is the SR-1 the same as a police report?
Where do I get the SR-1 form?
Related pages
Sources
- California DMV, "Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR-1)". Read October 20, 2026.
This is general information, not legal advice. Every rule on this page is quoted from, or linked to, the California DMV’s own page, and that page controls if it changes.