The following guidance is intended to clarify the types of vehicles, transportation, and crash characteristics subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR) crash reporting standard. To qualify as a reportable crash, at least one of the following must apply from each qualification below:

Vehicle Qualification

A qualifying vehicle should fall into one of the categories below:

• The vehicle involved in the crash is a motor vehicle having a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than 10,000 pounds or a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) over 10,000 pounds used on public highways; or
• The vehicle involved in the crash is a motor vehicle designed or used to transport nine or more passengers, including the driver; or
• The vehicle involved in the crash is ANY vehicle transporting Hazardous Materials (HM) in a quantity requiring the display of a HM placard. Note - Officers discovering a vehicle transporting significant quantities of HM without placarding if lacking expertise in this area, should be consulting an officer knowledgeable in Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations in order to determine whether placarding is required.

Crash Severity Qualification

• A fatality: Any person(s) killed in or outside of any vehicle (truck, bus, car, etc.) involved in the crash, or who dies within 30 days of the crash as a result of an injury sustained in the crash; or
• An injury: Any person(s) injured as a result of the crash who immediately receives medical treatment away from the crash scene; or
• A towaway: Any motor vehicle (truck, bus, car, etc.) disabled as a result of the crash and transported away from the scene by a tow truck or other vehicle.

Note: Vehicles that are personally owned and operated and are not used for any type of commercial activity are not included, even if the weight or seating capacity meets the above requirements. This should be distinguished from an otherwise large truck or bus, which is primarily used for business purposes, but sometimes operated for personal use. Personal use of a business vehicle does not exempt the record from collection.

Last Updated: September 11, 2023