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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 207 | 2004/ 01 |
Teenage Driver Risks and InterventionsCalifornia teenage drivers aged 16-19-years-old have extremely high per capita and mileage-adjusted crash and traffic violation rates. This report summarizes the literature regarding the risk factors involved in their high crash rates, as well as the countermeasures that have been used in California and elsewhere to reduce their high crash risk. Although some portion of teenage crash involvements can be accounted for by poorer basic vehicle handling skills, the research suggests that it is young drivers’ immaturity and inexperience, and the resultant risk-taking, that contribute most to their increased crash risk. Certain driving conditions, such as nighttime driving and transporting young passengers, are particularly high risk for teen drivers. The higher crash rates for teens associated with the use of alcohol and drugs may mostly be the result of a general pattern of risky behavior. The countermeasures used to reduce the crash risk of teen drivers that are discussed in this report include driver improvement programs, driver education and training, special licensing programs for teens (provisional and graduated licensing), BAC limits, and curfew laws. |
VI | |
| 81.1 | 1986/ 01 |
Teen Driver Facts – Report 81.1To provide a quick reference on the characteristics of teenage drivers. |
VI | |
| 81 | 1986/ 01 |
Teen Driver Facts – Report 81To provide a quick reference on the characteristics of teenage drivers. |
VI | |
| 240 | 2013/ 03 |
Teen and Senior Drivers – Report 240This report updates statistical information on California teen and senior drivers as published in earlier reports prepared by the California Department of Motor Vehicles: Teen Driver Facts (Huston, 1986), Senior Driver Facts (Huston & Janke, 1986), Teen and Senior Drivers (Romanowicz & Gebers, 1990; Gebers, Romanowicz, & McKenzie, 1993; Aizenberg & McKenzie, 1997 [with the Beverly Foundation]; and Janke, Masten, McKenzie, Gebers, & Kelsey, 2003). The information is meant to assist highway safety administrators in making program and policy decisions affecting teen and senior drivers, and may also be of use to the insurance industry, traffic safety researchers, and the general public. The report also summarizes international research on the driving safety and driving-related abilities of teen and senior drivers, and on crash countermeasures for these two groups. |
VI | |
| 194 | 2003/ 07 |
Teen and Senior Drivers – Report 194This report updates statistical information on California teen and senior drivers as published in earlier reports prepared by the California Department of Motor Vehicles: Teen Driver Facts (Huston, 1986), Senior Driver Facts (Huston & Janke, 1986), and Teen and Senior Drivers (Romanowicz & Gebers, 1990; Gebers, Romanowicz, & McKenzie, 1993; Aizenberg & McKenzie, 1997 [with the Beverly Foundation]). The information is meant to assist highway safety administrators in making program and policy decisions affecting teen and senior drivers, and may also be of use to the insurance industry, traffic safety researchers, and the general public. The report also summarizes international research on the driving safety and driving-related abilities of teen and senior drivers, and on accident countermeasures for these two groups. |
VI | |
| 168 | 1997/ 12 |
Teen and Senior Drivers – Report 168This report updates information on teen and senior drivers published in earlier California Department of Motor Vehicles' reports, Teen Driver Facts (Huston, 1986), Senior Driver Facts (Huston & Janke, 1986), and Teen and Senior Drivers (Romanowicz & Gebers, 1990; Gebers, Romanowicz, & McKenzie, 1993). The information is meant to assist highway safety administrators in making program and policy decisions affecting teen and senior drivers, and may also be of use to the insurance industry, traffic safety researchers, and the general public. The report also summarizes research on risk-taking and alcohol consumption among teen drivers and on the increase in impairment of driving-related abilities among senior drivers. Countermeasures for teen and senior drivers are also discussed. |
VI | |
| 141 | 1993/ 09 |
Teen and Senior Drivers – Report 141This report updates information on teen and senior drivers published in earlier California Department of Motor Vehicles' reports. Teen Driver Facts (Huston, 1986), Senior Driver Facts (Huston & Janke, 1986), and Teen and Senior Drivers (romanowicz & Gebers, 1990). The information is meant to assist Highway safety administrators in making program and policy decisions affecting teen and senior drivers, and may also be of use to the insurance industry, traffic safety researchers, and the general public. The report also summarizes research on risk-taking and alcohol consumption among teen drivers and on the increase in impairment of driving-related abilities among senior driers. Countermeasures for teen and senior drivers are also discussed. |
VI | |
| 126 | 1990/ 10 |
Teen and Senior Drivers – Report 126To provide highway safety administrators, insurance industry representatives, and researchers in the field of traffic safety with information for developing program and policy decisions. |
VI | |
| 75 | 1980/ 07 |
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 | |
| NRN093 | 1986/ 03 |
Survey of Customer’s Time in DMV Field OfficesTo monitor customers' time as a part of improving services in DMV field offices. |
VII |