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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | 1978/ 06 |
The Effects of Administering Written Tests Stressing Knowledge of Safe Driving Principles to Renewal Driver’s License ApplicantsA new licensing test series stressing knowledge of safe driving principles and recent law changes was administered to a group of California driver's license renewal applicants. The primary purpose was to determine if the two series of test forms, testing knowledge of different types of information, differentially affected subjects' subsequent driving records when used in the California DMV knowledge testing program. A secondary objective was to determine the degree of relationship between test scores and driving performance. |
II | |
| 60 | 1978/ 03 |
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 | |
| 59 | 1977/ 09 |
The Effectiveness of License Suspension or Revocation for Drivers Convicted of Multiple Driving-Under-The-Influence Offenses (An Interim Report for the Evaluation of Senate Bill (SB) 330-Gregorio)To assess the efficacy of using mandated license actions for multiple DUI offenders as accident countermeasures. |
III | |
| 58 | 1977/ 01 |
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 | 1976/ 06 |
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 | |
| 56 | 1976/ 06 |
Driving Record and Recidivism Following the Purging of Driver Control Action FilesTo evaluate adequacy of the department's driver action purge policies by analyzing the subsequent driving record of subjects whose files had been previously purged. |
V | |
| 55 | 1976/ 06 |
Longitudinal Study of California Driver Accident Frequencies I: An Exploratory Multivariate AnalysisTo attempt to develop an optimum accident-prediction system. |
IV | |
| 54 | 1975/ 05 |
How the Public Views DMVTo conduct a survey to determine the general public’s view of DMV. |
VII | |
| 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 | |
| 52 | 1976/ 04 |
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 |