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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 263 | 2023/ 04 |
2022 Annual Report of the California DUI Management Information SystemIn this thirty-first annual legislatively mandated report, 2019 and 2020 driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI) data from diverse sources were compiled and cross-referenced for the purpose of developing a single comprehensive DUI data reference and monitoring system. This report presents cross-tabulated information on DUI arrests, convictions, postconviction sanctions, driver license suspension/revocation actions, and on drivers in alcohol- or drug-involved crashes. In addition, this report provides 1-year proportions of DUI recidivism and crash rates for first and second DUI offenders arrested each year over a period of 30 years. Also, the long-term recidivism curves for the cumulative proportions of DUI reoffenses are shown for all DUI offenders arrested in 2005. The proportions of convicted first and second DUI offenders arrested in 2019 who were referred to, enrolled in, and completed DUI programs are also presented. Additionally, the numbers and percentages of DUI offenders who installed ignition interlock devices are presented by county and DUI offender status. |
V | |
| 122 | 1989/ 12 |
A Comparison of the Relative Effectiveness of Alternative Sanctions for DUI Offenders (Volume 1 of “Development of a DUI Accident and Recidivism Tracking System”)To develop a DUI data base for tracking accident and recidivism rates of first, second and third-or-more DUI drivers; to identify programs and sanctions associated with reduced accident and conviction rates, and to develop a system for detecting variation among counties in DUI sanctioning policy. |
III | |
| 103 | 1986/ 03 |
A Confidence Interval Approach to the Development of Blood Alcohol Concentration ChartsTo develop blood alcohol concentration charts based on confidence interval estimates |
VII | |
| 9 | 1961/ 10 |
A Controlled Evaluation of Group Driver Improvement MeetingsTo describe and analyze the results of an experimental program of group driver improvement meetings. |
III | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| NRN045 | 1971/ 01 |
A Position Paper on Accident Proneness and Driver-Oriented Safety ModelsTo advance the state of knowledge regarding accident proneness theory. |
IV | |
| 78 | 1981/ 02 |
A Profile of Uninsured Motorists in CaliforniaTo determine the profile of an average driver suspended pursuant to California's financial responsibility laws. |
VI | |
| NRN072 | 1966/ 06 |
A Profile Study of the Financially Irresponsible Driver in CaliforniaTo develop a profile of "financially irresponsible" drivers in California; that is, drivers suspended as a result of not having insurance at the time of an accident. |
VI | |
| NRN098 | 1987/ 04 |
A Queueing Model of Customer Waiting Time in DMV Field OfficesTo develop a computerized queueing model for use in DMV field offices for possible reduction of customer waiting time. |
VII |