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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 | 1982/ 06 |
A Statistical Model of Individual Accident Risk Prediction Using Driver Record, Territory and Other Biographical FactorsTo determine (1) the relative importance of territory, prior driving record, and other variables in predicting future accident involvement; and (2) whether a driver's area of residence is a fair and actuarially sound rating factor. |
IV | |
| NRN021 | 1979/ 12 |
A Review of C. D. Robinson’s “The Operation of Drivers License Disqualification as a Sanction”To prepare for the journal of Accident Analysis and Prevention a critical analysis and. review of an Australian monograph on the effectiveness of license suspensions. |
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 | |
| NRN098 | 1987/ 04 |
A Queueing Model of Customer Waiting Time in DMV Field OfficesTo develop a computerized queueing model for use in DMV field offices for possible reduction of customer waiting time. |
VII | |
| NRN072 | 1966/ 06 |
A Profile Study of the Financially Irresponsible Driver in CaliforniaTo develop a profile of "financially irresponsible" drivers in California; that is, drivers suspended as a result of not having insurance at the time of an accident. |
VI | |
| 78 | 1981/ 02 |
A Profile of Uninsured Motorists in CaliforniaTo determine the profile of an average driver suspended pursuant to California's financial responsibility laws. |
VI | |
| NRN045 | 1971/ 01 |
A Position Paper on Accident Proneness and Driver-Oriented Safety ModelsTo advance the state of knowledge regarding accident proneness theory. |
IV | |
| NRN073 | 1975/ 06 |
A Customized Approach to the Drinking Driver (Senate Concurrent Resolution 44 – Harmer)(1) to explore the validity and effectiveness of drinking-driver classification systems, (2) to evaluate the use of medical advisory boards to classify drinking drivers, and (3) to evaluate various drinking-driver programs. |
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 | |
| 9 | 1961/ 10 |
A Controlled Evaluation of Group Driver Improvement MeetingsTo describe and analyze the results of an experimental program of group driver improvement meetings. |
III |