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
60.1 1978/ 03

An Abstract of The Effectiveness of an At-Home Drivers’ Licensing Law Test

By: David M. Harrington & Michael Ratz

To explore new approaches to testing which would cost less, be more convenient to the public, and reduce accidents and convictions.

II
60 1978/ 03

The Effectiveness of an At-Home Drivers’ Licensing Law Test

By: David M. Harrington & Michael Ratz

To explore new approaches to testing which would cost less, be more convenient to the public, and reduce accidents and convictions.

II
64 1978/ 11

The Effects of a Traffic Safety Film or a Drive Test with Counseling Session for Renewal Drivers Licensing Applicants with Poor Prior Records

By: Michael Ratz

To determine if an expanded "safe driving" written knowledge test and a drive test with counseling or traffic safety film would improve the records of renewal applicants with poor three-year prior records.

II
73.1 1980/ 02

Executive Summary of Development of a Provisional Licensing Program for New California Drivers

By: David W. Carpenter, Bart F. Furtado, Keith H. Lindholm, & Lowell Gates

To examine the feasibility of provisional licensing procedures for new California drivers and to analyze potential program components.

II
74 1980/ 04

Application of Audio-Visual Presentation and Various Feedback Methods to Drivers License Testing: An Evaluation of Learning Effects

By: Shara Lynn Kelsey, Beverly Sherman, & Michael Ratz

To develop and demonstrate the effectiveness of an audio-visual driver's license testing program.

II
IM1 1993/ 09

Pilot of the Driving Performance Evaluation

By: Robert A. Hagge

To determine the consistency of the test examiners in scoring the Driving Performance Evaluation (DPE) drive test.

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
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
NRN017 1994/ 04

Class C Drive Test Baseline Study: Preliminary Report

By: Rickey 1. Williams & Nancy C. Shumaker

To obtain descriptive statistics on 30 DMV field offices in order to select six representative sites for a follow-up evaluation of the reliability of the current Class C drive test.

II
106 1986/ 05

Licensing Novice Motorcyclists: A Comparison of the Traffic Safety Impact of California’s Standard Test and the MOST II (Motorcycle Operator Skill Test) Administered at Centralized Testing Offices

By: Shara Lynn Kelsey, Catherine Liddicoat, & Michael Ratz

To clarify issues raised in the Anderson et al. study, "Improved Motorcyclist Licensing and Testing Project," to answer the following two questions: 1) Would the MOST II reduce accidents and convictions when compared to California's standard skill test? 2) Would there be an accident reduction which was independent of the reduction in instruction permit and license issuance rates resulting from the inconvenience of being required to travel to another location to be tested?

II