How to Get a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Crash Report Online

After a Texas car accident, the Texas peace office will file a report with the Department of Transportation. This report, called a CR-3 form, provides details on the crash and is useful for all parties involved – including insurance companies, lien holders, and car accident attorneys. 

Below is a guide on how to get your Texas Department of Transportation accident report – either online or through the mail. We will provide step-by-step instructions on how to order your Texas accident report, how much it costs, and how long it takes.

How to Get a Texas DOT Accident Report Online

Texas crash records are available online through the Texas Dept of Transportation’s C.R.I.S. (Crash Records Information System). Here’s the step-by-step process on how to download your TxDOT CRIS crash report online:

1. Visit the TxDOT CRIS Website – Online access to the TxDOT CRIS crash reports is available at the official CRIS website. There you will be able to request a new accident report or download a previously purchased report. 
2. Search for Your Crash Report – After accepting the disclaimer, you will be prompted to submit documentation about the accident. You need to provide some information about the crash before you get the report. Some of the information you can submit includes:
   1. Name of someone involved in the crash
   2. Drivers license number or identification number of someone involved in the crash
   3. VIN of a vehicle involved in the crash
   4. TxDOT Crash ID number for the incident – an 8-digit unique number assigned to each TxDOT crash report
3. Pay for the Report – The fee to obtain a CR-3 report for a Texas car crash is $6. You can pay the fee online using a credit card or debit card. 
4. Download the Report – If the report is available, you can download the report as a PDF so you can print it out. You retain access to the report, so if you ever need to redownload it, you can visit the official CRIS website and enter the Local Reference ID – which is included in the receipt emailed after you purchased the report.

And that’s how to get your Texas crash report online. There’s also other ways to get your Texas DPS accident report – see below.

How to Get a TxDOT Police Report by Mail

If you would prefer to have your TxDOT police report via mail, you can do that. Here are the steps to get a TxDOT accident report by mail:

1. Download CR-91 Form – To request a Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3), you will need to fill out a CR-91 form. You can get the form from a Peace Officer or by downloading it from the TxDOT website.
2. Fill out CR-91 Form – The CR-91 form is a simple, 1-page form that requests basic documentation about the accident. It should be submitted in duplicate, and you should put down as much information as you can about the accident, including:
   1. Crash Date
   2. Crash Location 
   3. Driver’s Information – full name, date of birth, driver’s license number, and address
   4. Passenger, pedestrian, or other involved party. 
3. Provide a Return Address – You will need to include a mailing address where you want the CR-3 report mailed. This could be your home address, insurance company, or Austin car accident attorney. 
4. Include Payment – The fee to have a mailed copy of the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report is $6. If you want a Certified copy of the Peace Officer’s Crash Report, that is a $8 fee. Make checks or money orders payable to the Texas Department of Transportation.
5. Mail the Request – You should mail your completed CR-91 form and payment to the following address: 

Crash Records
Texas Department of Transportation
PO Box 12879
Austin, TX 78711

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Texas Department of Transportation Crash Report?

The fee for a TxDOT crash report is $6. If you need a certified copy, the fee is $8. 

If ordering a crash report online, the fee can be paid through the CRIS portal using a debit card or credit card. If ordering a crash report by mail, you can send a check or money order – made payable to the Texas Department of Transportation. 

How Long Does It Take To Get a TxDOT Accident Report Online?

There can be a delay of up to 10 days between an accident occurring and the Texas Peace Officer filing the accident report. Once the CR-3 accident report is submitted, it is available to order through the CRIS website.

If you request a Texas car crash report by mail, it can take up to 20 days for you to receive your report.

What Documentation Is Required to Get a Texas Department of Transportation Accident Report?

To access a TxDOT CRIS crash report, you will need to provide some information about the car accident. For online access to the report, you can submit one of the following: 

• Full legal name of a person involved in the crash
• Driver license number of a person involved in the crash
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of a vehicle involved in the crash
• TxDOT Crash ID number for the incident. This is a unique 8-digit ID number that’s assigned to every incident in the TxDOT system. 

What Does the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3) Include?

The CR-3 report issued by Texas Peace Officers for car crashes includes a significant amount of information about the incident. In this report, you will typically find the following information: 

• Types of vehicles and people involved in the accident – referred to as units. 
• Identification and Location – includes the exact location and time of the accident. 
• Vehicle, Driver, and Persons Involved – Each person involved in the crash – whether driver, passenger, or pedestrian, will be listed in this section, along with any injuries, if they were using safety equipment, and any drug or alcohol test results. This section will also include information about the vehicles, including the type and severity of damage each vehicle received. 
• Charges – If any charges have been filed against those involved, they will appear in this section of the CR-3 report.
• Factors and Conditions – In this section, the Texas Peace Officer provides any information they think may have contributed to the crash, including weather conditions, reckless driving, drinking, distractions, or vehicle defects. 
• Narrative and Diagram – For this portion of the report, the responding officer lays out a narrative, or how they think the accident occurred based on the evidence they found. They will also include a diagram of the accident, including the vehicles, obstacles, and any other pertinent information.  

Conclusion

Requesting a Texas Department of Transportation crash report online or by mail can provide vital information for insurance or legal purposes. With the proper documents and information, it is easy to access your report promptly and securely.

If you have any questions about requesting a TxDOT accident report, please contact the Texas Department of Transportation: 512-486-5780.

Were you injured in a car crash in Austin? See our guide to requesting police reports from Austin PD, as well as guides accident reports Travis County and accident reports Williamson County, TX. You may also need to know how to file a sheriff incident report in Travis County, TX.

We have prepared this article to provide information to our readers. It should not be considered as legal advice.