If another driver leaves without providing their details, prioritise safety and record anything you can remember about the vehicle, registration, driver, direction of travel, witnesses and nearby cameras. Report the matter to the police and your insurer.
Key takeawayDo not chase the other vehicle. A safe, detailed record is more useful than putting yourself or other road users at further risk.
Stay safe and record what you can
Start with safety. Stop somewhere safe where required and possible, check whether anyone needs urgent help and avoid creating a second hazard. Once the immediate situation is under control, record the date, time, exact location, vehicles involved and the basic sequence of events.
Where another driver does not provide details, note the registration number, vehicle description and direction of travel if you can do so safely. Never put yourself in danger to obtain evidence.
Report to the police
Record names, addresses and vehicle registration numbers where they are available and appropriate. Add insurer details, contact information, vehicle make and model, visible damage and any reference numbers you receive. Check spellings and registration characters carefully.
If information is unavailable, write that down rather than filling the gap from memory later.
Tell your insurer
Take photographs only when it is safe. Useful images can include the wider scene, road or car-park layout, signs and markings, vehicle positions, registration plates and damage. Ask independent witnesses whether they are willing to provide contact details and note nearby CCTV or dashcam possibilities.
Preserve original images and messages. Do not crop or edit the only copy of evidence you may later need.
When MIB may help
Notify your insurer as required and keep the claim or notification reference with the incident record. Where police reporting is required, keep the police reference as well. Store later emails, repair information, estimates, medical or recovery documents and follow-up notes with the original incident.
Requirements vary by circumstances, so use official guidance and your insurer’s instructions for the particular event.
Practical checklist
Practical checklist
- Make the situation safe
- Record date, time and exact location
- Record people and vehicle details
- Photograph scene context and damage safely
- Ask independent witnesses for contact details
- Note CCTV or dashcam possibilities
- Notify your insurer
- Keep police, insurer and repair reference numbers together
- Preserve original evidence