Toll Free Number Helps Public to Access the CHP for Non-Emergency Purposes

The purpose of the nationwide toll-free telephone number is to provide the public with an easily recognizable telephone number that can be used to contact the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The 1-800-TELL CHP telephone number was originally established for the reporting of vehicle and cargo theft and later expanded for the Farm Labor Vehicle Program. The CHP has designated 1-800-TELL CHP as the number that shall serve as the point of contact for the public to access the CHP for non-emergency purposes (e.g., accident reports, tow questions, CHP office locations, vehicle theft tips, community outreach programs, if you see someone throw a cigarette out their car window in a fire prone brushy area). Additionally, by providing the public with an easily recognizable telephone number for contacting the Department, the use of the cellular 9-1-1 system for non-emergency calls should decrease.

CHP answers the 1-800-TELL CHP telephone number 24 hours a day, seven days a week.