Disclosure of Law Enforcement Traffic Accident and Vehicle Records
This page discusses the disclosure of law enforcement traffic accident and vehicle records in Washington State.
It is part of MRSC's Law Enforcement Records Tool Kit, created in partnership with the State Auditor's Center for Government Innovation.
Always consult with your legal counsel if you are unsure whether a record or certain information within the record is exempt or prohibited from disclosure.
New legislation:
- Effective March 16, 2026, SB 6081 exempts or prohibits from public disclosure sex designation information included in vital records and records maintained by the Department of Licensing.
- Effective March 30, 2026, SB 6002 specifies retention periods for automated license plate reader (ALPR) data collected by authorized agencies and limits the sharing of ALPR data.
This page has been updated to reflect the new legislation.
Traffic Accident Reports
Traffic accident reports prepared by law enforcement are not exempt and are subject to disclosure. See Guillen v. Pierce County (2001) and Gendler v. Batiste (2012).
However, traffic accident reports that agencies compile and collect to evaluate dangerous roads under 23 U.S.C. Sec. 152 are exempt from disclosure under 23 U.S.C. Sec. 407.
Information Obtained from Automated Traffic Safety Cameras
RCW 46.63.220(11) prohibits the public release of photographs, electronic images, and personally identifying data obtained from automated traffic safety cameras (such as red light cameras or school zone speed cameras).
Vehicle Information Obtained from Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
RCW 10.130.050(1)(a) prohibits agencies from disclosing ALPR data unless the disclosure is required in a judicial proceeding. RCW 10.130.020(3) defines “ALPR data” to include a vehicle’s GPS coordinates, location, speed, photograph, license plate number, characteristics and identifying information, and other vehicle information collected by an ALPR.
Department of Licensing Records
Under RCW 46.52.130 agencies can only release an abstract of an individual's driving record to the individual named in the abstract or to other specified entities under contract with the Department of Licensing (DOL). See RCW 46.22.010. Additionally, entities authorized to obtain abstracts cannot further release them to third parties except for those listed in RCW 46.52.130(4).
RCW 46.12.635 generally prohibits the disclosure of individual vehicle owner names and addresses, although there are several exceptions.
RCW 46.52.120 prohibits agencies from disclosing driver’s license numbers they obtain from DOL. See also RCW 42.56.230(7), and 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2721(a)(2) (if the agency retrieves the number from a database).
Records that prove or reveal an individual’s sex designation are also exempt from public disclosure under RCW 42.56.230(7)(a) and (c). See also RCW 46.20.134 for additional prohibitions.
