Do I Have to Report a Car Accident in Ireland?

Quick answer: Yes, in two cases. Under section 106 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 the driver must stop, offer help to anyone injured, stay at or near the scene for a reasonable time and give their details. You must then report to a garda as soon as possible (at the nearest convenient Garda station if needed) if anyone other than you was injured, or if someone else's property was damaged and you did not give your details at the scene. There is no fixed number of hours in the Act.

Last checked November 2, 2026 on official sources · General information, not legal advice.

The law

What section 106 requires

When it applies: injury is caused to a person or property in a public place and a vehicle is involved, whether or not the vehicle caused it.
Stop the vehicle, and offer assistance if anyone is injured or appears to need help.
Stay at or near the scene for a period that is reasonable in all the circumstances.
Give your details to a garda who asks or, if no garda is there, to a person entitled to ask: your name and address, the owner's name and address, the registration and your insurance details (s.106(4)).
Report to a garda as soon as possible, going to the nearest convenient Garda station if necessary, if someone other than you was injured, or if someone else's property was damaged and you did not give your details at the scene. You do not need to report again if you already gave the information to a garda.
Breaking these duties is an offence with fines, prison terms and possible penalty points (s.106(3)).

Step by step

What to do after a car accident in Ireland

Stop safely, switch on hazard lights and, if the cars can be moved and no one is hurt, get them out of traffic.
Call 999 or 112 if anyone is injured or the road is blocked. Do not move injured people unless they are in danger.
Exchange names, addresses, registration numbers and insurance details, and note witnesses.
Take photos of the vehicles, the road and the damage if it is safe.
Report to a garda as soon as possible if someone was injured or you could not give your details to the owner of damaged property.
Tell your insurer promptly; most policies require it.

Questions

Reporting a car accident — FAQ

Do I have to report a minor car accident to the gardaí?

Not always. Under section 106 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 you must report to a garda as soon as possible if anyone other than you was injured, or if someone else's property was damaged and you did not give your details at the scene. If no one was hurt and you exchanged details, the Act does not require a report.

What details must I give after a crash in Ireland?

Your name and address, the name and address of the vehicle's owner, the vehicle's registration (identification mark), and the details of your insurance (Road Traffic Act 1961 s.106(4)). Give them to a garda who asks, or, if no garda is present, to a person entitled to ask.

How long do I have to report a car accident to the gardaí?

The Act says "as soon as possible", going to the nearest convenient Garda station if necessary. It does not set a fixed number of hours.

What is the penalty for not stopping or reporting?

Section 106(3) sets fines and prison terms: in other cases (no injury) up to €1,000 and/or three months on summary conviction; where someone is injured, higher fines and up to six months, and on indictment, where the driver meant to escape liability, up to seven or ten years. Penalty points can also apply.

Do I have to tell my insurer about an accident?

Motor insurance policies normally require you to notify the insurer promptly after any accident. Check the conditions of your own policy.

Sources

Sources and limits

Road Traffic Act 1961 s.106 as amended, Revised Acts of the Law Reform Commission (revisedacts.lawreform.ie), listing amendments up to the Public Transport Act 2016. Penalty amounts can be changed by later Fines Acts; check the current revised Act.

This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and courts interpret them; the official text and your lawyer or insurer have the final word. Cities and counties can add their own rules.