Florida Crash Reporting Requirements
Reporting duties kick in at a dollar threshold that is lower than most drivers expect.
- Damage threshold
- $500→ $2,000 from October 1, 2026
A crash must be reported if it caused injury, death, or apparent property damage of at least $500. SB 488 (ch. 2026-39) raises that to $2,000 on October 1, 2026 — the published 2026 statute text already shows the new figure, but it does not govern a crash until that date.
- Deadline to file
- 10 days
Notice to law enforcement itself must be given immediately, by the quickest means of communication (§ 316.065(1)). The 10 days applies to the driver's own written report, which is due only when the crash did not require a law enforcement report (§ 316.066(1)(e)).
- Submit to
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
The driver's written report goes to the department on a form it approves. Immediate notice of a reportable crash goes to the local police department, or otherwise to the county sheriff or the nearest Florida Highway Patrol station.
What changed
October 1, 2026
Crash reporting threshold rises from $500 to $2,000
SB 488 (ch. 2026-39), approved April 21, 2026, amended s. 316.065(1) to raise the apparent property damage that obliges a driver to notify law enforcement of a crash from $500 to $2,000. Guides still quoting $500 describe the rule that applies only to crashes before October 1, 2026.
Laws of Florida ch. 2026-39 (SB 488)