How to Get a Crash Report in Vermont

The Vermont State Police say crash reports are supplied by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This includes crashes the State Police investigated. You request those reports through the DMV in Montpelier, not the State Police.^1,2

The DMV's Record Request form (VG-116) covers both police crash reports and individual crash reports. A state traffic records plan says the DMV is also the repository for operator crash reports. Those are the reports drivers must file themselves after certain crashes.^3,4,5,6

Vermont keeps its crash data in one statewide database at the Agency of Transportation (VTrans). A state traffic records plan says VTrans has custody of this database in practice, though state law names the DMV as custodian of crash reports.⁵

The VTrans Crash Public Query Tool shows non-personal statewide crash data reported by law enforcement, from 2010 to the present. It does not include the police report narrative or crash diagrams. VTrans does not enter data from drivers' own crash reports into its crash database.^5,7

By mail: Fill out the DMV Record Request form (VG-116). Complete every section that applies, front and back. Initial the permitted-use category that fits your request, and sign the back of the form. Include proof of ID, such as a copy of your state-issued ID. Pay by check or money order in U.S. funds, payable to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. Mail the form to: Department of Motor Vehicles, Driver Improvement Unit, 120 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05603.^1,4

Online forms: The DMV's online Public Records Request form is not for crash reports, so do not use it to order one. The State Police online records service also says crash reports it investigated must be requested through the DMV.^2,8

Questions: The State Police say to contact the DMV directly if you have questions about crash reports. Form VG-116 also gives a phone number to call if you are not sure which ID and authorization documents you need.^1,4

Proof of identification, such as a copy of your state-issued ID, and documents showing you are authorized to get the information. The form says every request needs these.⁴

Details that identify the record. The form asks for as much as you can give about the subject of the request: VIN, vehicle make and year, Vermont license plate, name, Vermont license number, date of birth and Social Security number.⁴

State law says the DMV furnishes records when a request completely identifies the information sought. For a person, that means name and date of birth. For a vehicle, it means the registration number or VIN.⁹

The date or dates your request covers, if any apply. Also give the specific information you want and a detailed explanation of how you will use it.⁴

Your signature on the back of the form. Every section that applies, on the front and back, must be complete.⁴

If you request under the written-consent category, which includes information about yourself, complete the form's Authorization of Release section in full.⁴

A check or money order in U.S. funds, payable to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.⁴

Certified copy of a police crash report: $22.00.^4,9

Certified copy of an individual crash report: $15.00.^4,9

Insurance information for a crash: $10.00.^4,9

State law (23 V.S.A. § 114) sets these fees. Form VG-116 lists the same amounts.^4,9

Pay by check or money order in U.S. funds, payable to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.⁴

The Vermont State Police say a crash report, which includes the police report of the crash, is available 30 days from the date of the collision.¹

A state traffic records plan says law enforcement crash reports are to be forwarded within 30 days of the investigation.⁵

For fatal crashes, VTrans says it adds reports to its crash database as soon as it has enough information. It may take VTrans 90 days or more to receive all the data for a fatal crash.⁷

The DMV reviews each request against the Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). The form says it may release the information if the DPPA authorizes it. You initial the category that fits your reason for asking.⁴

Permitted uses listed on the form include use with the written consent of the person the information is about, which includes information about yourself. They also include use in a proceeding in any court or government agency, including investigation in anticipation of litigation, and use by an insurer or insurance support organization for claims investigation.⁴

You affirm, under penalty of perjury under Vermont law, that the information on the form is true and correct.⁴

The form says the DMV will deny a request that does not meet the DPPA qualifications or does not give enough information to decide.⁴

If your request is denied, the form says you can appeal in writing to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.⁴

A state traffic records plan says every law enforcement agency enters its crash reports into Vermont's statewide WebCrash system. Vermont's crash data is kept in one statewide database at VTrans.⁵

The State Police online records service says reports from other agencies must be requested through that agency.²

Under 23 V.S.A. § 1129, if you were driving in a crash where someone was injured or killed, or where total property damage is $3,000.00 or more, you must make a written report to the DMV. Total damage counts all vehicles and property.^6,10

This rule covers only events where your vehicle physically contacted a person or an object, including another vehicle.⁶

The report is due within 72 hours after the crash. Use the DMV's operator crash report form (VC-004).^6,10

You can send it to the DMV by email, or by mail to Driver Control, Vermont DMV, 120 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05603. The DMV's Crashes page gives the email address.¹¹

The form says a report is required even if your vehicle was parked. If more than two vehicles were involved, use as many forms as it takes to include every vehicle.¹⁰

The form requires insurance information. If you do not give full insurance information, the DMV will assume you have no liability insurance and will suspend your license or privilege to operate in Vermont. Failing or refusing to report may be punishable by a civil penalty.¹⁰

23 V.S.A. § 1129 also says anyone injured by the vehicle, or the owner of damaged property, must be told the name and address of every liability insurance company that may cover the crash, plus the policy numbers. This must happen within five days after the injury or damage.⁶