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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14.1 | 1963/ 01 |
An Evaluation of “Plate to Owner” Vs “Plate to Vehicle” Registration MethodsTo determine the advantages and disadvantages of issuing license plates to owners of motor vehicles versus issuing license plates to vehicles. To investigate effects of issuing plates to owners on the public, government, industry, and other groups. |
VII | |
| 12 | 1963/ 02 |
California Vehicle Registrations and Driver Licenses – 1946-1961To produce an extension of the 1959 Department of Motor Vehicles report titled "California Vehicle Registrations and Drivers Licenses, 1946-1958" (Research Report No.1) for the years 1959, 1960, and 1961. The report should be useful as a basic set of historical statistical information regarding California vehicle registrations and drivers' licenses. |
VII | |
| 13 | 1963/ 03 |
Migration to CaliforniaThrough a survey, to describe the origin, county of California residence, age, and sex composition of 31,358 households registering out-of-state vehicles in California. |
VII | |
| 15 | 1963/ 07 |
The Totally Deaf Driver in California, Part ITo determine whether or not the driving records of deaf drivers differ from those of non-deaf drivers, and whether or not deafness or other factors are responsible for any differences found. Specifically, the study was designed to ascertain whether the deaf driver represents a special risk to public safety and, if so, to suggest any necessary licensing restrictions or unique training needs. |
VI | |
| 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 | |
| 16 | 1964/ 12 |
The Totally Deaf Driver in California, Part IITo determine whether or not the driving records of deaf drivers differ from those of non-deaf drivers, and whether or not deafness or other factors are responsible for any differences found. Specifically, the study was designed to ascertain whether the deaf driver represents a special risk to public safety and, if so, to suggest any necessary licensing restrictions or unique training needs. |
VI | |
| 20.1 | 1964/ 12 |
The 1964 California Driver Record Study (Part 1: An Introduction and Methodological Description)The basic purpose of the overall study was threefold: (1) to provide data for operational and budgetary planning, (2) to provide basic descriptive and baseline data on drivers and driving record variables, and (3) to further understanding and knowledge about the nature and causes of traffic accidents. |
IV | |
| 18 | 1965/ 01 |
Driving Under Suspension and Revocation: A Study of Suspended and Revoked Drivers Classified as Negligent OperatorsTo examine a six-year record of 1,326 negligent operators who were suspended or revoked to determine how many continued to drive and how many were convicted of this offense as well as the violation for which they were stopped. |
III | |
| 17 | 1965/ 01 |
A Re-Evaluation of Group Driver Improvement MeetingsThe group approach originally evaluated in 1961 (Coppin, Report #9) was re-evaluated to determine if the program was still effective. Both studies utilized a control group for comparison, although assignment to treatment was not random. Both reports indicated that the approach was an effective means of reducing violations, but there was no evidence of reduced accident frequency. It was recommended that different types of group and individual approaches be tried so that an optimum approach could be developed. It was also recommended that classical experimental design procedures be used in subsequent evaluations, including randomization. |
III | |
| 21 | 1965/ 02 |
The Teen-Aged Driver – Report 21To examine the accident and conviction records of teenaged drivers to determine whether or not a change in the licensing age was warranted and whether or not behind-the-wheel driver training was effective in reducing accidents and convictions. |
IV |