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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 1975/ 09 |
Language Survey – Summary Report of a Statewide Field Office Survey Taken to Determine Language Characteristics of Non-English SpeakingTo conduct a survey to determine the number of non-English-speaking persons attempting to utilize services provided at DMV facilities. |
VII | |
| NRN073 | 1975/ 06 |
A Customized Approach to the Drinking Driver (Senate Concurrent Resolution 44 – Harmer)(1) to explore the validity and effectiveness of drinking-driver classification systems, (2) to evaluate the use of medical advisory boards to classify drinking drivers, and (3) to evaluate various drinking-driver programs. |
VI | |
| 54 | 1975/ 05 |
How the Public Views DMVTo conduct a survey to determine the general public’s view of DMV. |
VII | |
| 48 | 1974/ 10 |
Projected Motor Vehicle Registration & Drivers Licenses Outstanding 1970-1990The ownership of motor vehicles in California has long been used by economists, bankers, planners, and administrators at all levels of government and the private sector as an important measure of the State's economy. Members of these professions have continued to seek long-range estimates of vehicle registration data in order to forecast future growth and development of the State and to plan necessary facilities for this expected growth. This is the third set of estimates released by the department. In addition, for the second time, are included estimates on number of drivers license holders by county (to 1976) and statewide (to 1990). It is anticipated that these registration estimates will need revision at least every two years and perhaps more frequently should drastic changes occur in the base estimators. A multiple linear regression model was employed as the statistical tool to the development of the estimates. Separate equations were developed for each vehicle type (passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, trailers and motorcycles) for each of the 58 counties of California. The predictor variables used were total population and year. The county population estimates were provided by the department of Finance and reflect the statewide totals. |
VII | |
| 49 | 1974/ 07 |
The Psychometric Prediction of Negligent Driver RecidivismTo determine whether the subsequent driving record of problem drivers could be predicted following a group driver improvement meeting, and to assess the contribution of psychometric and personality test variables in improving prediction. |
IV | |
| 45 | 1974/ 05 |
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 follow-up reinforcement letter sent 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 | |
| 46 | 1974/ 03 |
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 | |
| NRN002 | 1974/ 01 |
Defensive Driving as a Prerequisite for Licensing (Assembly Concurrent Resolution 94, Deddeh)To comply with a legislative resolution requesting DMV to conduct a study relating to the desirability of making completion of a course in defensive driving a requirement for persons seeking to obtain a California driver's license. |
I | |
| 50 | 1974/ 01 |
The Prediction of Driving Record Following Driver Improvement ContactsTo construct prediction equations for post-contact driving records based on three data sources-prior driving record, driver questionnaire responses, and driver improvement analyst (DIA) interview information. |
IV | |
| 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 |