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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 90.1 | 1984/ 04 |
An Abstract of The Long-Term Traffic Safety Impact of Pilot Alcohol Abuse Treatment as an Alternative to License Suspensions (Volume 2 of “An Evaluation of the California Drunk Driving Countermeasure System”)To evaluate the long-term traffic safety effects of participating in a Senate Bill (SB) 330 drunk driver program in lieu of receiving a mandatory license suspension or revocation. |
III | |
| 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 | |
| 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 RecordsTo 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 60.1 | 1978/ 03 |
An Abstract of The Effectiveness of an At-Home Drivers’ Licensing Law TestTo explore new approaches to testing which would cost less, be more convenient to the public, and reduce accidents and convictions. |
II | |
| 37.1 | 1971/ 06 |
An Abstract of The Effectiveness of a Uniform Traffic School Curriculum for Negligent DriversEvaluate the effectiveness of a uniform traffic school curriculum developed for the traffic violation repeater. |
III | |
| 28.1 | 1968/ 07 |
An Abstract of the California Motorcycle Study – Driver and Accident CharacteristicsTo evaluate the extent of the motorcycle problem and pinpoint possible problem areas which could be explored by future research. |
IV | |
| 75.1 | 1980/ 07 |
An Abstract of Suspension and Revocation Effects on the DUI Offender(1) To assess the ability of first, second, and third DUI offenders to avoid future DUI convictions or traffic accidents; (2) to survey drivers being reinstated following a DUI suspension or revocation in order to gather information concerning admission of driving during the action, transportation alternatives used while under the licensing action, and reactions of the driver to both the action and the changes in life style which resulted thereby; and (3) to assess the incidence of driving while under licensing action as reported by drivers themselves, and by the presence of any driver record update. |
III | |
| 33.1 | 1970/ 07 |
An Abstract of Prediction of Driving Behavior Following a Group Driver Improvement SessionTo determine the extent to which driving record subsequent to a driver improvement meeting could be predicted from a personality test and biographical questionnaire. |
IV |