New Hampshire Accident Reports: How to Get a Copy From the DMV
Who has your crash report, what drivers must report, insurance rules and traffic deaths in New Hampshire.
Who Has Your New Hampshire Accident Report
The New Hampshire State Police do not sell crash reports. When police respond to a crash, the officer files a State of New Hampshire Uniform Police Traffic Accident Report, form DSMV 159, with the Division of Motor Vehicles in Concord. That goes for state troopers and town officers alike, so the DMV is where you order a copy. The DMV says police reports can take several weeks to reach it.
Ordering a copy. Fill out form DSMV 505, the Request for Motor Vehicle Records. An accident report costs $1 per page with a $5 minimum. Mail the form with a $5 check payable to “State of NH – DMV” to NH DMV, 23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305, and write “DSMV 505” on the envelope.
Include a phone number or email, since the DMV contacts you if the report costs more. Its accident report page lists mail or the Concord drop box, with photo ID if you bring the form yourself, and offers no online ordering. For a cost estimate, email [email protected] or call (603) 227-4010.
Who can get one. You can if you are the person named on the record, the vehicle owner, a party representing themselves in a court case (with the docket number) or someone holding the record holder’s notarized approval. Insurers, lienholders, towing companies, licensed private investigators and law firms qualify under RSA 260:14 with the certificate of authority the form calls for.
Fatal crash reports. Use the same DSMV 505. Fatal reports go to the County Attorney’s office, which may hold them back while litigation is pending. A fatal report may not be available for several months after the crash. If released, the report should arrive within thirty working days; the DMV Fatal Crash Unit is at (603) 227-4185.
Turnpike crashes. We found no separate report process for the Everett, Spaulding or Blue Star turnpikes. A turnpike crash report is filed with the DMV by the officer who responded, like any other.
Don’t want to mail forms to Concord, or not sure the report has reached the DMV yet? We can get a copy of your report for you at no cost.
Police Reports From New Hampshire Cities
Somersworth police tell residents they can get an accident report from the department or from the state DMV, and other city departments release copies too. Start with the department that responded to your crash. These five post their process:
| Department | How to request | Fee |
| Salem Police | Records Unit online request portal (the quickest way) or in person; photo ID at pickup. Most reports are ready in a few days. | $0.50 per page, check or money order, no cash |
| Dover Police | “Request for Access to Police Reports” form at the Records Unit, 46 Chestnut St., weekdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; 603-516-6138 | General police report fee: $20 for 1 to 10 pages, $1 per page after |
| Rochester Police | Online records request form, or the PDF form by mail or drop-off at 23 Wakefield St., Rochester, NH 03867; (603) 330-7127. For people involved and their insurers. | $0.50 per page; photos $25 |
| Portsmouth Police | Request of Accident/Incident Report Form with a copy of your photo ID, mailed to 3 Junkins Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801, or faxed to (603) 610-7670. Records window by appointment, Monday to Thursday, (603) 610-7446. | Not posted |
| Somersworth Police | Online Report Request form, email, mail to 12 Lilac Lane, Somersworth, NH 03878, or in person | $10 for up to 10 pages, $1 per page after; color photos $10 per page or $25 on CD |
If your department isn’t listed, the DMV copy on form DSMV 505 covers any crash a police officer reported.
What New Hampshire Drivers Must Report
RSA 264:25 requires the driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone, or causes more than $1,000 in property damage, to report it in writing to the DMV within 15 days.
When police investigated, the officer’s DSMV 159 meets that duty and you don’t file anything. When they didn’t, each driver files an Operator’s Report, form DSMV 400, by mail to NH Department of Safety, DMV – FR/Accidents, 23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305. You can also file a DSMV 400 to support an insurance claim while the police report is still on its way.
If police investigated but your insurance details are missing from the report, verify your insurance online or on form DSMV 385, the “Blue Card.” Every reported crash goes on each driver’s record for five years, without any finding of fault.
How Car Insurance Works in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is not a compulsory insurance state, the DMV says, so drivers are not required to buy a policy. A driver can be ordered to show proof of insurance, known as an SR-22, after certain convictions, a crash or other DMV action.
Any liability policy that is written must carry at least $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 per crash and $25,000 for property damage (RSA 259:61). Policies on private passenger vehicles must also include at least $1,000 of medical payments coverage per person, for medical costs run up within three years (RSA 264:16).
Every liability policy on a vehicle registered or principally garaged in New Hampshire must include uninsured motorist coverage, and it matches the liability limits you choose (RSA 264:15). If an uninsured driver at fault causes injury or more than $1,000 in damage, the state can suspend that driver’s license and registration. To start that, send the DMV’s Financial Responsibility crash unit in Concord the police or operator report, a written damage estimate and a written request.
When both sides share the blame, RSA 507:7-d lets an injured person recover as long as their fault was not greater than the fault of the other side, counting all defendants together. Their damages are reduced by their share of the fault.
New Hampshire Traffic Deaths by the Numbers
| Measure | Figure | Year | Source |
| People killed in traffic crashes (preliminary) | 139 | 2025 | NH Office of Highway Safety |
| People killed in traffic crashes | 133 | 2024 | NHTSA (FARS) |
| Pedestrians killed (preliminary) | 14 | 2025 | NH Office of Highway Safety |
| Pedestrians killed | 12 | 2024 | NH Office of Highway Safety (FARS) |
| Motorcyclists killed (preliminary) | 30 | 2025 | NH Office of Highway Safety |
| Motorcyclists killed | 33 | 2024 | NH Office of Highway Safety |
The Office of Highway Safety marks its 2025 counts as preliminary and not yet final. Its report shows motorcyclist deaths falling from 40 in 2023 to 33 in 2024.
New Hampshire Crash Guides by City and County
Local guides and day-to-day crash coverage for New Hampshire, sorted by city and county:
County accident news: Hillsborough County · Rockingham County · Merrimack County · Strafford County · Belknap County · Cheshire County · Grafton County · Carroll County
Compare nearby states: Northeast crash reports and car accident laws by state · No-fault states and insurance minimums in all 50 states
Road stretches and intersections around the state have their own page, New Hampshire roads and intersections.
Help After a Crash
- Local Accident Reports. We can connect you with local help after a crash, from doctors and body shops to injury attorneys. Contact our team.
- New Hampshire Victims’ Compensation Program. Run by the Department of Justice, it covers injuries caused by people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, up to $40,000 per victim. Apply within two years and report the crime to police; both rules allow exceptions for a reasonable explanation. (603) 271-1284. Program details
- MADD New Hampshire. Support for victims and survivors of drunk and drugged driving crashes through a 24-hour help line, 877-MADD-HELP (1-877-623-3435).
- 988. Call or text 988 any time for crisis support.
- Trauma centers. Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center is the state’s only Level I trauma center on New Hampshire’s trauma designation list current as of September 2023. Concord Hospital, Elliot Hospital and Portsmouth Regional Hospital are listed as Level II.
New Hampshire Crash Questions
How do I get a New Hampshire State Police accident report?
The State Police don’t sell them: the trooper files the report with the Division of Motor Vehicles, and you order a copy from the DMV on form DSMV 505. It costs $1 per page with a $5 minimum. Mail the form and a $5 check to 23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305, or use the Concord drop box. Reports can take several weeks to reach the DMV.
When do New Hampshire drivers file a DSMV 400?
When a crash kills or injures someone, or causes more than $1,000 in damage, and no police officer investigated it. Each driver mails the Operator’s Report to the DMV in Concord within 15 days, under RSA 264:25. If police did investigate, the officer’s report covers it. Drivers may also file one to support an insurance claim.
Is New Hampshire a no-fault state?
New Hampshire doesn’t require drivers to buy insurance, the DMV says. A policy that is sold must carry 25/50/25 liability limits, $1,000 of medical payments coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. If you share the blame for a crash, your damages are cut by your share, and you recover nothing if your fault is greater than the other side’s.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in New Hampshire?
Injury and property damage suits must be brought within three years under RSA 508:4. RSA 556:11 allows a wrongful death action within six years after the death, subject to RSA 508. A claim against a city, town or county needs notice to its clerk by registered mail within 60 days, and a claim against the state needs written notice within 180 days. Both carry three-year filing limits.
Recent New Hampshire Crash Coverage
Two Injured in Crash at Mammoth Rd and Litchfield Rd in Londonderry, NH
Crash With Possible Injury on I-93 NB in Windham, NH
Injuries Reported in Crash at Mammoth Rd and Litchfield Rd in Londonderry, NH
Pedestrian Struck at Braemoor Woods Rd and Veterans Memorial Pkwy in Salem, NH
Two Killed in Rollover Crash Involving Dump Truck on Rte 104 in Meredith, NH
Older stories are archived at New Hampshire accident news, and recent accident alerts track new crashes nationwide as they are reported.
Local Accident Reports compiles this information from public agency sources and published reports for general reference. It is not legal advice and is not an official police record. Fees, forms and deadlines change, so confirm with the agency before you send a request. Last updated October 2026.