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. 

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.

393 Results

Report ID Date Published Title Section Links
NRN013 1988/ 06

Multiple License Study: Technical Appendix to AB 3262 Report

By: Karen J. Chan & Marvin Hanely

In compliance with Assembly Bill 3262 (Katz), to (1) estimate the number of Class 1 and 2 (heavy commercial vehicle) drivers with more than one driver license or with an X-record on file that had not been matched to the driver, (2) perform a point-count and DUI-conviction analysis of Class 1 and 2 drivers with multiple records and estimate how much worse they would look, in terms of accidents and convictions, if their separate records were combined, and (3) analyze license class types as a byproduct of the sampling design.

II
NRN012 1988/ 01

Reentrant Renewal-by-Mail Drivers

By: Mary K. Janke

To evaluate indicators of health and vision problems in drivers returning to the field offices for driver license renewal after having had two consecutive 4-year renewals by mail (reentrant drivers).

II
NRN011 1987/ 11

Evaluation of Tour-Bus Operator Knowledge Test

By: Michael Kellerman & Robert A. Hagge

To evaluate the written knowledge test for tour bus operators and to provide test and item statistics.

II
NRN010 1986/ 12

Evaluation of Driver License Knowledge Tests

By: Michael A. Gebers & Robert A. Hagge

To pilot-test four of the Department's written knowledge examinations for driver licensure and provide test and item statistics.

II
NRN009 1985/ 06

The Role of Youth in Traffic Accidents: A Review of Past and Current California Data

By: Raymond C. Peck

To clarify the role of youth in traffic accident causation.

II
NRN008 1983/ 07

Evaluation of Ambulance Driver Knowledge Test

By: Robert Hagge

To evaluate the Ambulance Driver Examination (DL-5J) and to provide test and item statistics.

II
NRN007 1983/ 06

Pilot Test of the Written Words and Phrases Test

By: Robert Hagge & Karen Frincke

To evaluate the written Words and Phrases Test (DL-140) and provide test and item statistics.

II
NRN006 1976/ 06

Oral Testing of Driver’s License Applicants

By: Margaret Hubbard Jones, Traffic Safety Center, Institute of Safety and Systems Management, University of Southern California

To gather information about several potential test modes which could be used with illiterate applicants and which would serve an instructional purpose without putting a premium on verbal ability.

II
NRN005 1974/ 01

Audio-Visual Traffic Safety Materials (House Resolution 81, McAllister)

By: California Department of Motor Vehicles

To conduct a feasibility study concerning use of audio-visual testing.

II
NRN004 1996/ 01

Effectiveness of Novice Driver Education

By: Raymond C. Peck

To review and critique the results of the NHTSA-funded driver training experimental evaluation known as the "Dekalb" study.

I