Do I Have to Report a Car Accident to the Police? (UK)

Quick answer: Only in some cases. If a collision damages another vehicle or property or injures someone else, you must stop and give your name and address, the owner's name and address and the registration number to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask. If you did not give those details at the scene, you must report the collision to the police as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case within 24 hours. If someone was injured and you did not show your insurance certificate, you must also report it and produce the certificate within 7 days.

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

The law

What UK law requires after a collision

When the duty applies: a vehicle on a road or other public place is involved in an accident that injures someone other than the driver, or damages another vehicle, certain animals (horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog) or other property (Road Traffic Act 1988 s.170(1)).
Stop, if possible in a place of relative safety (Highway Code rule 286).
Give your details to anyone with reasonable grounds for asking: your name and address, the vehicle owner's name and address, and the registration number (s.170(2)).
Report to the police within 24 hours if you did not give your name and address at the time: at a police station or to a constable, as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case within 24 hours (s.170(3) and (6); rule 286).
Injury and insurance: if another person is injured and you did not produce your insurance certificate at the time, report it to the police within 24 hours and produce the certificate within seven days (s.170(5) and (7); rule 287).
Failing to stop, give details or report is an offence (s.170(4)).

Step by step

What to do after a car accident in the UK

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 the police within 24 hours if you could not give your details, or if someone was hurt and you did not show your insurance certificate.
Tell your insurer promptly; most policies require it.

Questions

Reporting a car accident — FAQ

Do I need to report a minor accident to the police in the UK?

Not if you stopped and gave your name and address, the owner's name and address and the registration number to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask, and no one else was injured. You must report it to the police within 24 hours if you did not give those details at the scene, and if someone was injured and you did not show your insurance certificate (Highway Code rules 286 and 287; Road Traffic Act 1988 s.170).

How long do I have to report an accident to the police?

As soon as reasonably practicable and in any case within 24 hours of the collision, at a police station or to a police officer (Road Traffic Act 1988 s.170(6)). If someone was injured and you did not produce your insurance certificate at the time, you have 7 days to produce it at the police station you name when you report.

What details do you exchange after a car accident in the UK?

Your name and address, the name and address of the vehicle's owner if that is someone else, and the vehicle's registration number. If someone is injured, you must also show your insurance certificate to the police or anyone with reasonable grounds to ask. It also helps to note the other driver's insurer, the time and place, and photos.

Do I have to tell my insurer about an accident?

Almost all UK motor policies require you to tell your insurer about any accident promptly, even if you do not intend to claim. Check the wording of your own policy; this is a policy condition, not a police rule.

Does this apply in Northern Ireland?

Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 covers England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own road traffic law, which we have not checked for this page.

Sources

Sources and limits

Road Traffic Act 1988 s.170, legislation.gov.uk (revised text, up to date to November 2, 2026; Open Government Licence v3.0). The Highway Code rules 283, 286 and 287, gov.uk (Crown copyright, OGL v3.0), and Annex 7 first aid.

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.