Florida Statutes
Fla. Stat. § 316.066 (2025)
Written reports of crashes.
✓ 2025 Florida Statutes — current through the 2025 Regular Session
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316.066 Written reports of crashes.—
(1)(a) A Florida Traffic Crash Report, Long Form must be completed and submitted to the department within 10 days after an investigation is completed by the law enforcement officer who in the regular course of duty investigates a motor vehicle crash that:
1. Resulted in death of, personal injury to, or any indication of complaints of pain or discomfort by any of the parties or passengers involved in the crash;
3. Rendered a vehicle inoperable to a degree that required a wrecker to remove it from the scene of the crash; or
4. Involved a commercial motor vehicle.
(b) The Florida Traffic Crash Report, Long Form must include:
1. The date, time, and location of the crash.
2. A description of the vehicles involved.
3. The names and addresses of the parties involved, including all drivers and passengers, and the identification of the vehicle in which each was a driver or a passenger.
4. The names and addresses of witnesses.
5. The name, badge number, and law enforcement agency of the officer investigating the crash.
6. The names of the insurance companies for the respective parties involved in the crash.
(c) In any crash for which a Florida Traffic Crash Report, Long Form is not required by this section and which occurs on the public roadways of this state, the law enforcement officer shall complete a short-form crash report or provide a driver exchange-of-information form, to be completed by all drivers and passengers involved in the crash, which requires the identification of each vehicle that the drivers and passengers were in. The short-form report must include:
1. The date, time, and location of the crash.
2. A description of the vehicles involved.
3. The names and addresses of the parties involved, including all drivers and passengers, and the identification of the vehicle in which each was a driver or a passenger.
4. The names and addresses of witnesses.
5. The name, badge number, and law enforcement agency of the officer investigating the crash.
6. The names of the insurance companies for the respective parties involved in the crash.
(d) Each party to the crash must provide the law enforcement officer with proof of insurance, which must be documented in the crash report. If a law enforcement officer submits a report on the crash, proof of insurance must be provided to the officer by each party involved in the crash. Any party who fails to provide the required information commits a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318, unless the officer determines that due to injuries or other special circumstances such insurance information cannot be provided immediately. If the person provides the law enforcement agency, within 24 hours after the crash, proof of insurance that was valid at the time of the crash, the law enforcement agency may void the citation.
(e) The driver of a vehicle that was in any manner involved in a crash resulting in damage to a vehicle or other property which does not require a law enforcement report shall, within 10 days after the crash, submit a written report of the crash to the department. The report shall be submitted on a form approved by the department.
(f) Long-form and short-form crash reports prepared by law enforcement must be submitted to the department and may be maintained by the law enforcement officer’s agency.
(2)(a) Crash reports that reveal the identity, home or employment telephone number or home or employment address of, or other personal information concerning the parties involved in the crash and that are held by an agency, as defined in s. 119.011, are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution for a period of 60 days after the date the report is filed.
(b) Crash reports held by an agency under paragraph (a) may be made immediately available to the parties involved in the crash, their legal representatives, their licensed insurance agents, their insurers or insurers to which they have applied for coverage, persons under contract with such insurers to provide claims or underwriting information, law enforcement agencies and their contracted service providers, victim services programs, and any federal, state, or local governmental agency or any private person or entity acting on behalf of a federal, state, or local governmental agency in carrying out its functions, but not for redistribution to any person or entity not listed in this subsection. Crash reports held by an agency under paragraph (a) which do not contain the home or employment street addresses, driver license or identification card numbers, dates of birth, and home and employment telephone numbers of the parties involved in the crash shall be made immediately available to radio and television stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and newspapers qualified to publish legal notices under ss. 50.011 and 50.031. A crash report may also be made available to any third party acting on behalf of a person or entity authorized under this section to access the crash report, except that the third party may disclose the crash report only to the person or entity authorized to access the crash report under this section on whose behalf the third party has sought the report. This section shall not prevent an agency, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding, from providing data derived from crash reports to a third party solely for the purpose of identifying vehicles involved in crashes if such data does not reveal the identity, home or employment telephone number or home or employment address, or other personal information of the parties involved in the crash.
(c) Any local, state, or federal agency that is authorized to have access to crash reports by any provision of law shall be granted such access in the furtherance of the agency’s statutory duties.
(d) As a condition precedent to accessing a crash report, a person must present a valid driver license or other photographic identification, proof of status, or identification that demonstrates his or her qualifications to access that information and file a written sworn statement with the state or local agency in possession of the information stating that information from a crash report made confidential and exempt by this section will not be used for any commercial solicitation of accident victims or knowingly disclosed to any third party for the purpose of such solicitation. Such written sworn statement must be completed and sworn to by the requesting party for each individual crash report that is being requested. In lieu of requiring the written sworn statement, an agency may provide crash reports by electronic means pursuant to a memorandum of understanding to third-party vendors under contract with one or more insurers, but only when such contract states that information from a crash report made confidential and exempt by this section will not be used for any commercial solicitation of accident victims by the vendors, or knowingly disclosed by the vendors to any third party for the purpose of such solicitation, and only when a copy of such contract is furnished to the agency as proof of the vendor’s claimed status.
(e) This subsection does not prevent the dissemination or publication of news to the general public by any legitimate media entitled to access confidential and exempt information pursuant to this section.
(f) Crash reports held by an agency under paragraph (a) may be made available 60 days after the date the report is filed to any person or entity eligible to access crash reports under paragraph (b) or in accordance with any of the permissible uses listed in 18 U.S.C. s. 2721(b) and pursuant to the resale and redisclosure requirements in 18 U.S.C. s. 2721(c).
(g) If crash reports are created by or submitted to an agency electronically as data elements within a computerized database or if personal information from a crash report is entered into a computerized database, such crash data held by an agency is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Sixty days after the date the crash report is filed, an agency may provide crash data derived from the crash report which includes personal information to entities eligible to access the crash report under paragraph (b), or in accordance with any of the permissible uses listed in 18 U.S.C. s. 2721(b) and pursuant to the resale and redisclosure requirements in 18 U.S.C. s. 2721(c). Such data shall be provided pursuant to a memorandum of understanding.
(h) This subsection is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2027, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
(3)(a) Any driver failing to file the written report required under subsection (1) commits a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.
(b) Any employee of a state or local agency in possession of information made confidential and exempt by this section who knowingly discloses such confidential and exempt information to a person not entitled to access such information under this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(c) Any person, knowing that he or she is not entitled to obtain information made confidential and exempt by this section, who obtains or attempts to obtain such information commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(d) Any person who knowingly uses confidential and exempt information in violation of a filed written sworn statement, memorandum of understanding, or contractual agreement required by this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(e) In addition to penalties outlined in paragraphs (c) and (d), a person who obtains a crash report or crash data and who knowingly discloses or knowingly uses personal information revealed in the report for a purpose not permitted under 18 U.S.C. s. 2721(b) is liable to the individual to whom the information pertains, who may bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction. The court may award:
1. Actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages in the amount of $2,500.
2. Punitive damages upon proof of willful or reckless disregard of the law.
3. Reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred.
4. Such other preliminary and equitable relief as the court determines to be appropriate.
This paragraph does not apply to radio and television stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and newspapers qualified to publish legal notices under ss. 50.011 and 50.031.
(4) Except as specified in this subsection, each crash report made by a person involved in a crash and any statement made by such person to a law enforcement officer for the purpose of completing a crash report required by this section shall be without prejudice to the individual so reporting. Such report or statement may not be used as evidence in any trial, civil or criminal. However, subject to the applicable rules of evidence, a law enforcement officer at a criminal trial may testify as to any statement made to the officer by the person involved in the crash if that person’s privilege against self-incrimination is not violated. The results of breath, urine, and blood tests administered as provided in s. 316.1932 or s. 316.1933 are not confidential and are admissible into evidence in accordance with the provisions of s. 316.1934(2).
(5) A law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 943.10(1), may enforce this section.
History.—s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 1, ch. 80-80; s. 6, ch. 82-155; s. 1, ch. 83-22; s. 15, ch. 86-296; s. 2, ch. 88-370; s. 2, ch. 89-271; s. 23, ch. 90-119; s. 14, ch. 91-255; s. 16, ch. 94-306; s. 9, ch. 96-350; s. 1, ch. 97-300; s. 88, ch. 99-248; s. 1, ch. 2001-163; s. 102, ch. 2002-20; s. 3, ch. 2003-411; s. 2, ch. 2005-177; s. 1, ch. 2006-260; s. 4, ch. 2009-71; s. 2, ch. 2010-163; s. 2, ch. 2010-223; s. 7, ch. 2011-66; s. 1, ch. 2012-197; s. 3, ch. 2013-160; s. 1, ch. 2014-212; s. 1, ch. 2014-213; s. 9, ch. 2022-5; s. 1, ch. 2022-198; s. 1, ch. 2023-186.
Arrestable Offenses under F.S. 316.066
M = misdemeanor · F = felony · degree: F=1st S=2nd T=3rd§316.066(3b)NONMOVING TRAFFIC VIOLRENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9476
§316.066(3b)INVADE PRIVACYDISCLOSE CONFID CRASH REPORT TO UNAUTH PERSON
§316.066(3c)NONMOVING TRAFFIC VIOLRENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9477
§316.066(3c)INVADE PRIVACYUNAUTH PERSON OBTAIN CONFIDENTIAL CRASH REPORT
§316.066(3d)PUBLIC ORDER CRIMESRENUMBERED. SEE REC# 6066
§316.066(3d)NONMOVING TRAFFIC VIOLRENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9478
§316.066(3d)INVADE PRIVACYUNLAWFUL USE CONFIDENTIAL CRASH REPORT
§316.066(3e)PUBLIC ORDER CRIMESRENUMBERED. SEE REC# 6067.
§316.066(3f)PUBLIC ORDER CRIMESRENUMBERED. SEE REC# 6068
§316.066(4b)TRAFFIC OFFENSERENUMBERED. SEE REC #7180
§316.066(4c)TRAFFIC OFFENSERENUMBERED. SEE REC #7181
§316.066(4d)TRAFFIC OFFENSERENUMBERED. SEE REC #7186
§316.066(6b)PUBLIC ORDER CRIMESRENUMBERED. SEE REC #7027
§316.066(6c)PUBLIC ORDER CRIMESRENUMBERED. SEE REC #7028
§316.066(6d)PUBLIC ORDER CRIMESRENUMBERED. SEE REC #7029
Civil Citations under F.S. 316.066
Driver's license points · R = revocation · S = suspension§316.066(1)(d)CRASH - Failure to provide proof of insurance (All parties)
§316.066(1)(e)CRASH- Driver failure to make written crash report when not written by officer (0 >)
§316.066(2)CRASH - Failure of Driver to submit SUPPLEMENTAL report of crash when required
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 136
cases (9 in the last 5 years), 1973–2026 · leading case: State v. Marshall, 695 So. 2d 719 (Fla. 3d DCA 1996).
State v. Marshall, 695 So. 2d 719 (Fla. 3d DCA 1996). “The crux of the state's argument is that the legislature's 1991 amendments to chapter 316, Florida Statutes, [3] had the effect of eliminating any requirement for a citizen to make an accident report under section 316.”
Maddox v. State, 923 So. 2d 442 (Fla. 2006). “" § 316.066(4), Fla. Stat. (2001) (emphasis supplied).”
State v. Norstrom, 613 So. 2d 437 (Fla. 1993). “4th DCA 1991), in which the district court held that statements made by Norstrom, after he was informed of his Miranda [1] rights and signed a waiver form, were not admissible because the statements were made during the accident investigation phase of the incident and were,…”
Combs v. State, 436 So. 2d 93 (Fla. 1983). “The petitioner asserted that the circuit court departed from the essential requirements of law by affirming a judgment based upon statements admitted into evidence in violation of section 316.066. Petitioner correctly points out that the circuit judge was wrong in stating that…”
Brackin v. Boles, 452 So. 2d 540 (Fla. 1984). “The trial court ruled that this evidence was inadmissible under section 316.066, Florida Statutes (1981).”
Sottilaro v. Figueroa, 86 So. 3d 505 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012). “The legislature amended section 316.066 in 2011 and subsection (5) was renumbered and is now subsection (4).”
State v. Hepburn, 460 So. 2d 422 (Fla. 5th DCA 1984). “First, the lower court determined that appellee's statements are privileged under Section 316.066, Florida Statutes (Supp. 1982).”
State v. Cino, 931 So. 2d 164 (Fla. 5th DCA 2006). “Consequently, our Supreme Court has held that the statute “clothe[s] with statutory immunity only such statements and communications as the driver, owner, or occupant of a vehicle is compelled to make in order to comply with his or her statutory duty under section 316.066(1) and…”
State v. Edwards, 463 So. 2d 551 (Fla. 5th DCA 1985). “Edwards objected to this testimony claiming it was privileged and therefore inadmissible pursuant to section 316.066, Florida Statutes (Supp. 1982).”
State v. Ferguson, 405 So. 2d 294 (Fla. 4th DCA 1981). “1968), [while interpreting the substantially identical statutory predecessor of Section 316.066, Section 317.171, Florida Statutes (1967)]: And we think that these circumstances are ample to take the evidence of the results of the blood test out from under the protective cloak…”
Duval Motor Co. v. Woodward, 419 So. 2d 303 (Fla. 1982). “Section 316.066, Florida Statutes (1975), requires that the driver of a vehicle which is involved in an accident resulting in bodily injury forward a written report of such accident within 5 days thereafter to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, but excuses that…”
Hendrix v. Evenflo Co., 255 F.R.D. 568 (N.D. Fla. 2009). “Evenflo also cites Florida’s statutory privilege concerning statements made for the purpose of preparing a traffic accident report, Fla. Stat. § 316.066 (7), for the astonishing proposition that an accident report may not be used in a trial.”
— 316.066(1) — 18 cases
Sottilaro v. Figueroa, 86 So. 3d 505 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012). “The legislature amended section 316.066 in 2011 and subsection (5) was renumbered and is now subsection (4).”
State v. Norstrom, 613 So. 2d 437 (Fla. 1993). “4th DCA 1991), in which the district court held that statements made by Norstrom, after he was informed of his Miranda [1] rights and signed a waiver form, were not admissible because the statements were made during the accident investigation phase of the incident and were,…”
White v. Consol. Freightways Corp., 766 So. 2d 1228 (Fla. 1st DCA 2000).
Brackin v. Boles, 452 So. 2d 540 (Fla. 1984). “The trial court ruled that this evidence was inadmissible under section 316.066, Florida Statutes (1981).”
State v. Edwards, 463 So. 2d 551 (Fla. 5th DCA 1985). “Edwards objected to this testimony claiming it was privileged and therefore inadmissible pursuant to section 316.066, Florida Statutes (Supp. 1982).”
— 316.066(3) — 1 case
Barrentine v. Makely, 406 So. 2d 1237 (Fla. 2d DCA 1981).
— 316.066(3)(a) — 4 cases
Hammond v. Jim Hinton Oil Co., Inc., 530 So. 2d 995 (Fla. 1st DCA 1988).
Sottilaro v. Figueroa, 86 So. 3d 505 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012). “The legislature amended section 316.066 in 2011 and subsection (5) was renumbered and is now subsection (4).”
Myers v. State, 426 So. 2d 986 (Fla. 1st DCA 1983).
SGK v. State, 657 So. 2d 1246 (Fla. 1st DCA 1995).
— 316.066(3)(a)(1) — 1 case
State v. Jacoby, 907 So. 2d 676 (Fla. 2d DCA 2005).
— 316.066(4) — 91 cases
Maddox v. State, 923 So. 2d 442 (Fla. 2006). “" § 316.066(4), Fla. Stat. (2001) (emphasis supplied).”
State v. Marshall, 695 So. 2d 719 (Fla. 3d DCA 1996). “The crux of the state's argument is that the legislature's 1991 amendments to chapter 316, Florida Statutes, [3] had the effect of eliminating any requirement for a citizen to make an accident report under section 316.”
State v. Cino, 931 So. 2d 164 (Fla. 5th DCA 2006). “Consequently, our Supreme Court has held that the statute “clothe[s] with statutory immunity only such statements and communications as the driver, owner, or occupant of a vehicle is compelled to make in order to comply with his or her statutory duty under section 316.066(1) and…”
State v. Hepburn, 460 So. 2d 422 (Fla. 5th DCA 1984). “First, the lower court determined that appellee's statements are privileged under Section 316.066, Florida Statutes (Supp. 1982).”
State v. Ferguson, 405 So. 2d 294 (Fla. 4th DCA 1981). “1968), [while interpreting the substantially identical statutory predecessor of Section 316.066, Section 317.171, Florida Statutes (1967)]: And we think that these circumstances are ample to take the evidence of the results of the blood test out from under the protective cloak…”
— 316.066(5) — 1 case
Sottilaro v. Figueroa, 86 So. 3d 505 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012). “The legislature amended section 316.066 in 2011 and subsection (5) was renumbered and is now subsection (4).”
— 316.066(7) — 5 cases
Durse v. Henn, 68 So. 3d 271 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011).
State v. Walton, 42 So. 3d 902 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010).
Skinner v. State, 31 So. 3d 940 (Fla. 1st DCA 2010).
Lyons v. State, 43 So. 3d 737 (Fla. 1st DCA 2010).
Anand v. Jeb Hotel Assocs., Ltd., 988 So. 2d 652 (Fla. 3d DCA 2008).
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