P-33 Form – New York law enforcement officers investigating motor vehicle crashes rely on the P-33 Form (officially titled Police Crash Report Submission Instructions) as the definitive resource for completing and submitting police accident reports to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Updated as of November 2025 (11/25), this 105-page manual provides step-by-step instructions for all approved forms, including MV-104A, MV-104AN, MV-104S, MV-104D, MV-104EN, and MV-104L.
Whether you’re a police officer, traffic safety supervisor, or agency administrator, the P-33 PDF ensures accurate, compliant reporting that supports crash prevention programs, insurance claims, and legal proceedings. Below is your complete, SEO-optimized guide—including how to download the latest version, key requirements, and expert tips.
What Is the P-33 Form?
The P-33 is the New York DMV’s official Police Crash Report Submission Instructions manual. It standardizes how police departments across New York State (except certain NYC-specific fields) document and submit crash data for:
- Motor vehicle crashes involving injury, death, or property damage
- Commercial truck/bus incidents
- Fatal crashes
- Police line-of-duty accidents
- E-bike and e-scooter crashes
Key purpose: To meet Vehicle and Traffic Law requirements and feed data into state and federal highway safety programs (NHTSA/FMCSA). Accurate reports help identify high-crash locations using GPS coordinates and contributing factors.
Download the official P-33 PDF here: https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/p33.pdf (free, direct from NY DMV).
Who Must Use the P-33 Guide?
- All New York State police officers and law enforcement agencies investigating reportable crashes
- Agencies ordering forms (via MV-14P requisition)
- Officers handling amendments or supplemental reports (MV-104S, MV-104D, MV-104L)
Note: Motorists file their own MV-104 report online or by mail; the P-33 is strictly for police submission.
Key Forms Covered in the P-33 Manual
The guide dedicates full sections to each form:
| Form | Use Case | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| MV-104A / MV-104AN | Standard police accident report (statewide / NYC) | Core form for injury or damage crashes |
| MV-104S | Truck & Bus Supplemental Report | Required for commercial vehicles >10,000 lbs GVWR or HazMat |
| MV-104D | Police Report for Fatal Accidents | Full fatal crash documentation |
| MV-104EN | Early Notification of Fatal Accident | Must be submitted within 24 hours (fax or TRACS electronic option) |
| MV-104L | Police Line-of-Duty Accident | For on-duty police vehicle crashes |
| MV-104COV | Cover Sheet | Used with multi-page reports |
Pro tip: Always use the most current forms listed in Appendix A of the P-33.
Step-by-Step: How to Complete Police Accident Reports (P-33 Instructions)?
The P-33 provides crystal-clear, field-by-field guidance. Critical rules include:
- Date & Time — Accident date is required; use military time (e.g., 0015).
- Unknown/Not Applicable — Enter “X” for unknown; “–” (dash) if it does not apply.
- Contributing Factors — At least one human, vehicular, or environmental factor required.
- Location — Include latitude/longitude in decimal degrees for GIS mapping.
- Multi-Vehicle Crashes — Use continuous page numbering and additional forms.
- Amendments — Clearly mark “Amended Report,” match original critical data exactly, and explain changes in the Officer’s Notes section.
- E-Bike/E-Scooter Crashes — Special Section 7 instructions apply.
Damage & Diagram Codes, injury grids, vehicle types (Appendix C), and state abbreviations (Appendix B) are all detailed with examples.
How to Submit Police Crash Reports to NY DMV?
- Complete the original report(s) legibly in black ballpoint pen.
- Retain a local copy (especially for ATV crashes—submit within 48 hours).
- Mail originals promptly to:
NYS DMV Crash Records Center
PO Box 2606 (or PO Box 2084 for commercial/fatal crashes)
Albany, NY 12220-0606 - Use Express Mail address if needed: 6 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12228.
- Fatal crashes: Fax MV-104EN within 24 hours; full MV-104D follows.
Electronic options: NYC police reports are often filed electronically (available in DMV system after ~14 days). Statewide submissions remain primarily paper-based, with limited TRACS electronic data entry for fatal notifications.
Contact for questions:
- Crash Records Center: (518) 474-6518
- Forms ordering (TSLE&D): [email protected] or (518) 486-6583
Why Accurate P-33 Compliance Matters?
- Prevents processing delays or returns
- Supports insurance claims and court cases
- Improves statewide traffic safety data
- Avoids officer or agency liability for incomplete reports
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the P-33 the same as the MV-104 form?
A: No. P-33 is the instruction manual; MV-104A/AN are the actual report forms.
Q: How do I order blank forms?
A: Use MV-14P (Enforcement Agency Forms Requisition) in Appendix A and email/fax to TSLE&D Supply.
Q: When are police reports available to the public?
A: Electronically filed NYC reports appear in ~14 days; paper reports in ~30 days via the DMV Crash Lookup portal.
Q: Has the P-33 been updated recently?
A: Yes—current version is dated 11/25 and includes e-bike/e-scooter guidance.
Download & Bookmark the Official P-33 PDF
Direct link: https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/p33.pdf
Bookmark the NY DMV Forms & Publications page for future updates: dmv.ny.gov/forms-and-publications.
Related resources:
- MV-104COV Cover Sheet
- How motorists file their own crash report (MV-104)
By following the P-33 Police Crash Report Submission Instructions, New York law enforcement ensures every crash is documented accurately and efficiently. Save this guide, download the PDF, and share it with your department for quick reference.
Last updated: March 2026. Always verify the latest version directly on the NY DMV website.