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.
| Report ID | Date Published | Title | Section | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58.1 | 1977/ 01 |
An Abstract of The Effects of Range vs. Non-Range Driver Training on the Accident and Conviction Frequencies of Young DriversThe purpose of this study was to compare the relative effectiveness of a driving range vs. non-range driver education program in increasing skill and reducing accidents and convictions among teenage drivers. |
I | |
| 57.1 | 1976/ 06 |
An Abstract of The Effectiveness of Traffic Safety Material in Influencing the Driving Performance of the General Driving PopulationTo develop new traffic safety materials, tailoring some to the age and sex of the recipient; to determine if mailing such materials to California drivers would reduce subsequent accidents and convictions. |
I | |
| 52.1 | 1976/ 04 |
An Abstract of An Evaluation of the California Driver Knowledge Test and the University of Michigan Item PoolTo evaluate both the written DMV driver licensing test and a large sample of driver knowledge test items selected from the University of Michigan's Highway Safety Research Institute (HSRI) item pool. |
II | |
| 48.3 | 1980/ 10 |
Projected Motor Vehicle Registration & Drivers Licenses Outstanding 1980-2005To prepare a set of estimated vehicle registrations to 2005, by county, for each of the four classes of vehicles --passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers. |
VII | |
| 48.2 | 1978/ 10 |
Projected Motor Vehicle Registration & Drivers Licenses Outstanding 1978-2005To prepare a set of estimated vehicle registrations to 2005, by county, for each of the four classes of vehicles --passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers. |
VII | |
| 48.1 | 1976/ 10 |
Projected Motor Vehicle Registration & Drivers Licenses Outstanding 1976-2000To prepare a set of estimated vehicle registrations to 2000, by county, for each of the four classes of vehicles --passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers. |
VII | |
| 46.1 | 1974/ 01 |
An abstract of An Evaluation of California’s “Good Driver” Incentive ProgramTo study the effects of rewards and/ or incentives in the form of one-year license extensions (no testing or visit to field office required) for drivers with one-year-clean prior records. |
II | |
| 45.1 | 1974/ 01 |
An Abstract of An Evaluation of Some Additional Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Warning LettersTo determine the effectiveness of two types of warning letters and an informational pamphlet in reducing the subsequent collision and conviction records of pre-negligent drivers. An additional study objective was to determine the effectiveness of a fo llow-up reinforcement letter se nt to collision- and conviction-free drivers. These hypotheses were suggested by an earlier warning letter study (McBride & Peck, Report #30). This study was designed to attempt replication of the previous results. |
III | |
| 39.1 | 1973/ 03 |
An Abstract of The Prediction of Accident Liability through Biographical Data and Psychometric TestsTo evaluate the role of human factors in traffic accidents. |
IV | |
| 38.1 | 1971/ 09 |
An Abstract of The Young Driver Follow-up Study: An Evaluation of the Role of Human Factors in the First Four Years of DrivingTo collect biographical and driving-record data in order to provide evidence for evaluating three approaches to reducing the high accident rate among teenagers: (1) raising the licensing age to 18; (2) identifying the "accident prone" driver; and (3) improving driving via formal driving education and training. |
VI |