Research Studies & Reports

DMV’s Research & Development Branch has been conducting research and producing studies and reports since the 1950s. Research & Development reports help DMV to measure the impact of new laws on making drivers safer. We also identify areas where we can improve our processes, explore new approaches to solving existing problems, and branch out into new opportunities to serve you better. 

Studies & Reports Sections

Studies and reports are assigned to a Section that best describes the type of report. Click on a section title below to see a short description.

I. Driver Education & Training Studies
II. Driver Licensing Screening Studies
III. Studies on Improvement and Control of Deviant Drivers
IV. Basic Research & Methodological Studies: Driver Performance, Accident Etiology, Prediction Models, and Actuarial Applications
V. Driver Licensing / Control Systems & Safety Management Studies
VI. Studies on Special Driver Populations
VII. Miscellaneous Studies & Reports

Request printed copies of studies and reports by mail at:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Research and Development Branch
2415 1st Ave. Mail Station: F-126
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 914-8125

Please include the report number, the number of copies requested, and your name, address, and phone number.

393 Results

Report ID Date Published Title Section Links
73.1 1980/ 02

Executive Summary of Development of a Provisional Licensing Program for New California Drivers

By: David W. Carpenter, Bart F. Furtado, Keith H. Lindholm, & Lowell Gates

To examine the feasibility of provisional licensing procedures for new California drivers and to analyze potential program components.

II PDF
70.1 1979/ 07

An Abstract of An Evaluation of Probation-by-Mail as an Alternative to Mandatory Hearing Attendance for Negligent Operators

By: Beverly R. Sherman & Michael Ratz

To evaluate the feasibility and traffic safety implications of placing negligent operators on probation by letter without the subjects being scheduled for a hearing.

III PDF
68.1 1978/ 12

Executive Summary of An Evaluation of Alcohol Abuse Treatment as an Alternative to Drivers License Suspension or Revocation (Final Report to the Legislature in Accord with Senate Bill (SB) 38-Gregorio)

 III PDF
67.1 1978/ 09

Executive Summary of Medically Impaired Drivers: An Evaluation of California Policy (Senate Bill 2033 – Garcia)

By: Mary K. Janke, Raymond C. Peck, & Dell R. Dreyer

To evaluate the Department's licensing policies and practices relative to drivers with mental or physical conditions which might affect their ability to drive safely.

VI PDF
66.1 1978/ 04

An Abstract of Educational Approaches to Driver Improvement: An Experimental Evaluation with Negligent Drivers

By: William C. Marsh

To develop a group driver-improvement program that is more effective in reduction of accident/conviction rates and more cost-beneficial than the standard Group Educational Meeting (GEM).

III PDF
64.1 1978/ 11

An Abstract of The Effects of a Traffic Safety Film or a Drive Test with Counseling Session for Renewal Drivers Licensing Applicants with Poor Prior Records

By: Michael Ratz

To determine if an expanded "safe driving" written knowledge test and a drive test with counseling or traffic safety film would improve the records of renewal applicants with poor three-year prior records.

II PDF
62.2 1978/ 12

An Evaluation of the California Drive Test in Theme and Variation. Volume II: Final Report

By: Michael Ratz

To determine if a longer, more "comprehensive" drive test, or the standard drive test with parallel parking and a higher fail rate, would improve the subsequent driving records of previously unlicensed applicants.

II PDF
62.1 1978/ 08

An Evaluation of the California Drive Test in Theme and Variation. Volume I: Treatment Development and Preliminary Evaluation

By: Michael Ratz

To develop two modifications of the standard California drive test--the first to make the test more difficult, the second to make the test more comprehensive and more difficult. In addition, the relationships between scores on the standard and new, more comprehensive, test and biographical and driver record data were to be obtained.

II PDF
60.1 1978/ 03

An Abstract of The Effectiveness of an At-Home Drivers’ Licensing Law Test

By: David M. Harrington & Michael Ratz

To explore new approaches to testing which would cost less, be more convenient to the public, and reduce accidents and convictions.

II PDF
59.1 1977/ 09

Executive Summary of The Effectiveness of License Suspension or Revocation for Drivers Convicted of Multiple Driving-Under-The-Influence Offenses (An Interim Report for the Evaluation of Senate Bill (SB) 330-Gregorio)

By: Roger E. Hagen

To assess the efficacy of using mandated license actions for multiple DUI offenders as accident countermeasures.

III PDF