# How do you request a Virginia accident report?

Page: Virginia Accident Report: How to Request a Copy
URL: https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/steps/get-crash-report/
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13

> A person involved in the crash, or that person's attorney or insurer's representative, may obtain the report (Va. Code § 46.2-380). Request it from the investigating agency: Roanoke, Roanoke County, Salem or Vinton police, or the Virginia DMV for State Police reports.

## Who may obtain a report?

The statute limits access to a defined list. The persons who may inspect or obtain a report include ([Va. Code § 46.2-380(A)](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-380/)):

- persons involved in or injured by the crash, or their attorney;
- owners of vehicles or property involved;
- authorized representatives of insurers that reasonably anticipate liability;
- the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration;
- personal representatives, guardians and next of kin, and a parent or guardian of an injured person under 18;
- towing operators, for reports under § 46.2-373 only.

The Commissioner may set a reasonable fee for a copy of any report ([Va. Code § 46.2-380](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-380/)). The DMV must keep a crash report for at least 36 months from the date of the crash (same section).

## Step 1: Which agency investigated?

The agency that responded to the crash holds the report. Check the card or slip the officer gave you, or ask the dispatch center that took your call. The agencies covered here are the City of Roanoke Police, Roanoke County Police, Salem Police, Vinton Police and the Virginia State Police.

## Step 2: How do you request it from the agency?

1. **City of Roanoke Police.** The city takes requests through its online Traffic Accident Report Request Form, which is for traffic crash reports only. The form asks for your name, your relationship to the incident, the incident number and the date ([City of Roanoke](https://www.roanokeva.gov/2680/Traffic-Crash-Report-Request)). Keep the incident number the officer gave you handy.
2. **Roanoke County Police.** Call the Records Division at (540) 777-8605, or submit an online Request for Public Records for traffic accident reports. There is no charge for citizens ([Roanoke County](https://www.roanokecountyva.gov/1865/Request-Police-Reports)).
3. **Salem Police.** The fee is $10. Reports are normally available 24 to 48 hours after the officer completes them. Call the records line at (540) 375-3083 and ask a Records Clerk to confirm that the report is available. The department is at 36 East Calhoun Street, Salem ([City of Salem](https://salemva.gov/540/Police)).
4. **Vinton Police.** The department is at 311 S Pollard Street, Vinton, and its after-hours non-emergency dispatch line is (540) 562-3265. Call the town at (540) 983-0601 to ask how to request a report ([Town of Vinton](https://www.vintonva.gov/247)).
5. **Virginia State Police.** The State Police direct requests for accident and crash reports to the Virginia DMV ([Virginia State Police](https://vsp.virginia.gov/foia/)). Use Step 3.

## Step 3: How do you request a report from the Virginia DMV?

The DMV page lists these methods ([Virginia DMV](https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/records/request-police-crash-report)):

1. **By mail.** Send the request to Customer Records Work Center, Room 514, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Post Office Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269. Confirm the accepted payment method with the DMV.
2. **By fax.** Send it to the fax number (804) 367-0390.
3. **In person.** Make an appointment at a customer service center or stop by any day the center is open.

The fee is $8 per crash report requested. The DMV sends requested documents by U.S. Postal Service first class mail. Persons who may receive a complete report include a driver, passenger, injured person, vehicle or property owner, personal representative, attorney, insurance company representative, and the parent or guardian of a minor.

## When is an officer required to file a report?

An officer investigating a crash with injury, death or property damage of $3,000 or more must forward a written report to the DMV within twenty-four hours after completing the investigation ([Va. Code § 46.2-373(A)](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-373/)). Ask the agency whether a report exists before you pay a fee.

Your own duties after a crash are on the [steps page](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/steps/after-a-crash/). Time limits for a claim are in the [deadline checker](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/tools/claim-deadline/). For local contacts, see [Roanoke County](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/areas/roanoke-county/) and [Salem](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/areas/salem/).

| Agency | Method | Fee | Availability | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| City of Roanoke Police | Online Traffic Accident Report Request Form | Not stated on the city's form page | Not stated on the city's form page | [roanokeva.gov](https://www.roanokeva.gov/2680/Traffic-Crash-Report-Request) |
| Roanoke County Police | Records Division, (540) 777-8605, or online request | No charge for citizens | Ask the agency | [roanokecountyva.gov](https://www.roanokecountyva.gov/1865/Request-Police-Reports) |
| Salem Police | Records line, (540) 375-3083 | $10 | 24 to 48 hours after the officer completes it | [salemva.gov](https://salemva.gov/540/Police) |
| Virginia State Police | Request through the DMV | See DMV | See DMV | [vsp.virginia.gov](https://vsp.virginia.gov/foia/) |
| Virginia DMV | Mail, fax or in person | $8 | Sent by first class mail | [dmv.virginia.gov](https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/records/request-police-crash-report) |

## Frequently asked questions

### Is a Virginia accident report a public record?

Va. Code § 46.2-380(A) lists who may inspect or obtain a report: persons involved or injured and their attorneys, vehicle and property owners, insurer representatives, next of kin and others. Because the statute names those persons, request the report as one of them and state your connection to the crash.

### How much does the DMV charge for a crash report?

The DMV page states a fee of $8 per crash report requested, and says the DMV will return the fee if it does not find a report. Va. Code § 46.2-380 lets the Commissioner set a reasonable fee. Confirm the amount on the DMV page before paying.

### How soon is a report available?

It depends on the agency. Salem Police says a report is normally available 24 to 48 hours after the officer completes it. The DMV mails requested documents by first class mail. Ask the investigating agency whether your report is ready before you pay or travel.

### Can my insurer request the report?

Yes, an authorized representative of an insurer that reasonably anticipates liability may obtain a report under Va. Code § 46.2-380(A). The DMV page also lists insurance company representatives among those who may receive a complete report. Your insurer may have its own process, so ask your claim representative.

## Sources

- [Va. Code § 46.2-380](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-380/)
- [Va. Code § 46.2-373](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-373/)
- [Virginia DMV: Request a police crash report](https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/records/request-police-crash-report)
- [City of Roanoke: Traffic Accident Report Request Form](https://www.roanokeva.gov/2680/Traffic-Crash-Report-Request)
- [Roanoke County: Request police reports](https://www.roanokecountyva.gov/1865/Request-Police-Reports)
- [City of Salem: Police](https://salemva.gov/540/Police)
- [Town of Vinton: Police Services](https://www.vintonva.gov/247)
- [Virginia State Police: FOIA](https://vsp.virginia.gov/foia/)