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
Note Please include the report number, the number of copies requested, and your name, address, and phone number.
| Report ID | Date Published | Title | Section | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACR67 | 1971/ 01 |
Report to the California State Legislature, in Accord with Assembly Concurrent Resolution 67, 1969 Legislative Session, WakefieldTo comply with Assembly Concurrent Resolution 67, (1960 Legislative Session) by conducting a pilot study of the effects of waiving the knowledge test for renewal applicants. |
II | |
| NRN012 | 1988/ 01 |
Reentrant Renewal-by-Mail DriversTo 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 | |
| 265 | 2025/ 06 |
Recidivism and Crash Risk Among California’s Drug-Involved DUI OffendersThe present study builds upon prior work by Marowitz (1996) by examining the crash and recidivism risk of alcohol-focused versus drug-involved driving under the influence (DUI) offenders. Although drug-involved DUI offenders remain a relatively small proportion of all DUI offenders, this proportion is rising, as is the proportion of impaired-driving fatal crashes involving drugs. Using a cohort of offenders arrested during calendar years 2014 through 2017, comparisons were drawn for the one-year periods pre- and post-arrest. Drug-involved offenders tended to have more problematic driving histories in the year prior to their index offense, as compared to alcohol-focused offenders. Even taking account of these differences in pre-arrest behavior, drug-involved offenders continued to have more problematic driving in the year subsequent to their index offense: they were twice as likely to be involved in a crash, and approximately 30% more likely to recidivate. A particularly powerful predictor of recidivism was whether or not a pre-conviction administrative per se (APS) license suspension – only available in instances where an offender is above the per se blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit or refuses a chemical test – was imposed. Offenders convicted of a DUI offense, but against whom no APS license action was initiated, were more than three times as likely to recidivate compared to offenders against whom an APS action was taken. |
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| 43 | 1973/ 05 |
Questionnaire Techniques in Traffic Safety Research: A Digest of California Department of Motor Vehicles’ ExperienceTo compile experiences concerning phases of studies dealing with questionnaires. |
IV | |
| NRN061 | 1994/ 01 |
Quantifying the Net Accident Contribution of Convicted DUI Repeaters: Some Methodological Issues and Preliminary FindingsTo quantify the role of convicted DUI offenders as a traffic safety problem. |
IV | |
| NRN095 | 1986/ 04 |
Quality Control Methodology Applied to Field Office EfficiencyTo describe quality control (QC) methodology and apply it to interoffice efficiency comparisons. |
VII | |
| NRN084 | 1994/ 01 |
Psychometric and Biographical Correlates of Drunk Driving Recidivism & Treatment Program ComplianceTo identify variables which differentiate DUI offenders who recidivate from those who do not and to also identify correlates of treatment program compliance. |
VI | |
| 120 | 1989/ 07 |
Proof-of-Service Rates for Suspended or Revoked Drivers as a Function of Mailing Contact StrategyIn an attempt to increase proof rates, this study developed and evaluated a number of mailing strategies for various categories of suspension or revocation reason. |
III | |
| 31 | 1970/ 03 |
Projected Motor Vehicle Registration and Drivers Licenses Outstanding, 1970-85To prepare a set of estimated vehicle registrations to 1985, by county, for each of the four classes of vehicles --passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers. |
VII | |
| 48.3 | 1980/ 10 |
Projected Motor Vehicle Registration & Drivers Licenses Outstanding 1980-2005To prepare a set of estimated vehicle registrations to 2005, by county, for each of the four classes of vehicles --passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers. |
VII |