Licensing, insurance and the law
You are in a collision in which another driver is injured. Within what time must a report be made to law enforcement?
- Within 24 hours. Correct answer
- Within 10 days.
- Within 30 days.
Why
Two different reports have two different clocks after a collision. If anyone is injured or killed, a report must reach law enforcement within 24 hours; your insurance agent, broker or legal representative can file it for you. Separately, you must report the collision to DMV within 10 days on a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR 1) whenever there is more than $1,000 in property damage or anyone is hurt, whether or not you were at fault and even on private property; law enforcement will not file that one for you, and skipping it costs you your driving privilege. Thirty days is not a deadline the handbook uses. Before any paperwork: stop; call 911 when someone is hurt; clear the vehicle out of traffic when nobody is; and swap license, registration, insurance and address details.
Where this comes from
California Driver's Handbook, June 2025 edition. The correct answer is Within 24 hours.
The rule behind this one
License, points and insurance in California goes through the whole topic, with the page of the California Driver's Handbook behind every rule.
More on licensing, insurance and the law
- You are 17 and applying for your first driver's license. How much supervised practice driving do you need, and with whom?
- How many attempts do you get at the knowledge test before you must reapply, and how long must a minor wait after failing one?
- You are in a collision and you do not have proper insurance coverage. What happens to your driving privilege?
- You move to California bringing your car with you. How long do you have to register it here?