Getting your traffic collision report (California Form CHP 555) in San Francisco depends on where the crash happened. Crashes on city streets (including 19th Avenue/SR-1 and Van Ness Ave/US-101 surface streets) are handled by the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), while crashes on elevated freeways (US-101 Central Freeway, I-80, I-280, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate Bridge approach) are handled by the California Highway Patrol (CHP Golden Gate Division).
San Francisco Crash Report Quick Reference
| Investigating Agency | Where Crash Occurred | Cost | Portal / Office Location | Turnaround Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFPD Online Portal | City surface streets & 19th Ave | Free (Electronic) / $0.10/pg | sanfranciscopolice.org | 10–14 business days |
| SFPD Records (In Person) | City surface streets & 19th Ave | Free (Involved party) | 1245 3rd St., 1st Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 | 10–14 business days |
| CHP San Francisco Office | Freeways (I-80, I-280, US-101, Bay Bridge) | $10 | CHP Online Portal or 455 8th St., SF | 7–14 business days |
| Golden Gate Bridge Patrol / CHP | Golden Gate Bridge span | $10 | CHP Marin Area Office (53 San Clemente Dr, Corte Madera) | 7–14 business days |
Step 1: Request from SFPD vs. CHP Golden Gate Division
City Surface Streets (SFPD): Go to sanfranciscopolice.org/get-service/police-reports and submit an Involved Party request using your 9-digit SFPD Incident Number (formatted like 260XXXXXX) and a copy of your government photo ID. For in-person pickup, visit the SFPD Records Management Division at Police Headquarters, 1245 3rd St. (in Mission Bay) (Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Phone: 415-575-7232). (Note: SFPD Records moved out of the old Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant St. and City Hall to 1245 3rd St.).*
- Freeways & Bay Bridge (CHP San Francisco Area Office): Crashes on I-80, I-280, the US-101 Freeway south of Market St., and the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge are handled by CHP Golden Gate Division - San Francisco Area Office at 455 8th St., San Francisco, CA 94103 (Phone: 415-557-1094). Order online via the CHP portal or submit Form CHP 190 with a $10 fee.
Step 2: How to Read Your San Francisco Form CHP 555
Both SFPD and CHP use Form CHP 555. Check these three elements as soon as your report arrives:
- Primary Collision Factor (PCF): On Page 1 or 2, the officer identifies Party 1 as the driver whose action primarily caused the crash and cites a California Vehicle Code (CVC) violation—such as
CVC 21950(a)(Failure to Yield to Pedestrian in Crosswalk),CVC 21209(Driving in a Bike Lane),CVC 21453(a)(Red Light), orCVC 22350(Unsafe Speed). - California's Pure Comparative Negligence Rule (Civil Code § 1714): California allows recovery reduced by your percentage of fault even if you are more than 50% responsible.
- Muni / Waymo / Cruise Autonomous Vehicle Involvement: If your SF crash involved an SFMTA Muni bus/streetcar, note that you have a strict 6-month California Government Tort Claim deadline (Gov. Code § 911.2) to file a claim with the City and County of San Francisco.
Step 3: Mandatory 10-Day California DMV Form SR-1
Requesting an SFPD or CHP collision report does not satisfy your state DMV requirement. Under California Vehicle Code § 16000, you must file Form SR-1 with the California DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured (even minor soreness) or property damage exceeded $1,000, or your driver's license will be suspended.
Listed as "Party 1" on your SFPD or CHP 555 collision report? Get a free legal review of your report at submitaccident.report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will SFPD come to the scene of a non-injury fender bender?
No. Under SFPD General Order 9.02, officers only respond to and write a CHP 555 investigation report for collisions involving injury, death, suspected DUI, felony hit-and-run, or City of San Francisco property damage. For property-damage-only crashes between private cars, exchange info at the scene and file your DMV Form SR-1 within 10 days.
How do I get video if a Waymo, Tesla, or Muni bus witnessed my San Francisco crash?
SFMTA Muni buses and autonomous vehicles operating on SF streets continuously record multi-angle exterior video, but footage is overwritten quickly unless preserved via an immediate legal preservation letter or California Public Records Act request.