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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM4 | 1981/ 07 |
An Estimate of the Rate at Which Vehicle Values Depreciate for Use in Calculating Vehicle License FeesTo determine how much vehicle license fee (VLF) revenue is lost due to the VLF depreciation structure underestimating the actual retail value of used vehicles. |
VII | |
| IM5 | 1981/ 11 |
Use Tax SurveyTo compare reported purchase prices in use-tax transactions with wholesale Kelley Blue Book prices, in order to determine whether purchasers of used vehicles from private parties tended to underreport the amount they paid. |
VII | |
| IR1 | 1987/ 08 |
Use of Proxy Measures in Evaluating Post licensing Control TreatmentsTo describe and evaluate the usefulness of alternative (accident proxy) measures in traffic safety studies. |
III | |
| 126B | 1996/ 01 |
Traffic Violation Patterns and AgeTo examine the rates of different violation types as a function of age, and the pattern of violation types within each age group. |
IV | |
| 14.1 | 1963/ 01 |
An Evaluation of “Plate to Owner” Vs “Plate to Vehicle” Registration MethodsTo determine the advantages and disadvantages of issuing license plates to owners of motor vehicles versus issuing license plates to vehicles. To investigate effects of issuing plates to owners on the public, government, industry, and other groups. |
VII | |
| 14.2 | 1963/ 07 |
A Cost Study of “Substitute License Plates” Vs “Duplicate License Plates”To determine the relative advantages of the Department of Motor Vehicles' present system of issuing substitute plates when a license plate is lost, stolen, or mutilated with a proposed system of issuing duplicate plates. In addition, a procedure for issuing duplicate plates is suggested and a cost comparison is made between the proposed system and the present system. |
VII | |
| 20.1 | 1964/ 12 |
The 1964 California Driver Record Study (Part 1: An Introduction and Methodological Description)The basic purpose of the overall study was threefold: (1) to provide data for operational and budgetary planning, (2) to provide basic descriptive and baseline data on drivers and driving record variables, and (3) to further understanding and knowledge about the nature and causes of traffic accidents. |
IV | |
| 20.2 | 1965/ 03 |
The 1964 California Driver Record Study (Part 2: Accidents, Traffic Citations and Negligent Operator Count by Sex)The basic purpose of the overall study was threefold: (1) to provide data for operational and budgetary planning, (2) to provide basic descriptive and baseline data on drivers and driving record variables, and (3) to further understanding and knowledge about the nature and causes of traffic accidents. |
IV | |
| 20.3 | 1965/ 04 |
The 1964 California Driver Record Study (Part 3: Drivers by Age, Sex and Area of Residence)The basic purpose of the overall study was threefold: (1) to provide data for operational and budgetary planning, (2) to provide basic descriptive and baseline data on drivers and driving record variables, and (3) to further understanding and knowledge about the nature and causes of traffic accidents. |
IV | |
| 20.4 | 1965/ 05 |
The 1964 California Driver Record Study (Part 4: The Relationship between Concurrent Accidents and Citations)The basic purpose of the overall study was threefold: (1) to provide data for operational and budgetary planning, (2) to provide basic descriptive and baseline data on drivers and driving record variables, and (3) to further understanding and knowledge about the nature and causes of traffic accidents. |
IV |