Authorities said the crash took place this evening and security had been ramped up.
The US Secret Service said a female driver had been apprehended at the scene.
A spokesman said: “An individual driving a passenger vehicle struck a security barrier near the White House at 17th & E.
“The vehicle did not breach the security barrier of the White House complex.
“The female driver of the vehicle was immediately apprehended by Secret Service Uniformed Division Officers.
“No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident involving a vehicle hitting a barrier near the White House.”
They added that no shots were fired during the incident.
Reporters at the White House said scores of Secret Service officers were seen running towards the building.
The incident came hours after Donald Trump gave a controversial address at the Conservative Political Action Conference just outside Washington.
During the self-aggrandising speech he repeated calls for some teachers to be armed.
More to follow…