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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.1 | 1974/ 01 |
An Abstract of An Evaluation of Some Additional Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Warning LettersTo determine the effectiveness of two types of warning letters and an informational pamphlet in reducing the subsequent collision and conviction records of pre-negligent drivers. An additional study objective was to determine the effectiveness of a fo llow-up reinforcement letter se nt to collision- and conviction-free drivers. These hypotheses were suggested by an earlier warning letter study (McBride & Peck, Report #30). This study was designed to attempt replication of the previous results. |
III | |
| 83.1 | 1982/ 09 |
An Abstract of An Evaluation of the Alcohol Reexamination Program for Drivers with Two Major Traffic ConvictionsTo evaluate the traffic safety impact of a reexamination designed to detect and treat drunk driving among drivers with two "major violations" who have escaped license sanctions and other countermeasures. Major violations comprise the more serious traffic violations including reckless driving, hit-and-run, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI). |
III | |
| 52.1 | 1976/ 04 |
An Abstract of An Evaluation of the California Driver Knowledge Test and the University of Michigan Item PoolTo evaluate both the written DMV driver licensing test and a large sample of driver knowledge test items selected from the University of Michigan's Highway Safety Research Institute (HSRI) item pool. |
II | |
| 77.1 | 1981/ 12 |
An Abstract of An Evaluation of Three Alternative Formats for Probation Violation HearingsTo develop and evaluate new formats hearings which incorporate behavior caseload-scheduling approach. for negligent operator probation violator modificatiol1 principles and a client |
III | |
| 74.1 | 1980/ 02 |
An Abstract of Application of Audio-Visual Presentation and Various Feedback Methods to Drivers License Testing: An Evaluation of Learning EffectsTo develop and demonstrate the effectiveness of an audio-visual driver's license testing program. |
II | |
| 76.1 | 1981/ 12 |
An Abstract of Design and Evaluation of a Crash Prediction StrategyTo define and validate a method of identifying groups of high-risk drivers which yields a more effective crash prediction model than the Department's negligent-operator (neg-op) point system. |
IV | |
| 66.1 | 1978/ 04 |
An Abstract of Educational Approaches to Driver Improvement: An Experimental Evaluation with Negligent DriversTo develop a group driver-improvement program that is more effective in reduction of accident/conviction rates and more cost-beneficial than the standard Group Educational Meeting (GEM). |
III | |
| 79.1 | 1981/ 12 |
An Abstract of Factors Associated with Fatal Accident Involvement Among California Drivers – ABSTRACT 1 / 2To identify possible factors of fatal accident causation and to isolate common patterns or characteristics for use in developing accident countermeasures. |
IV | |
| 85.1 | 1983/ 06 |
An Abstract of Intervention Strategies for Accident-Involved Drivers: An Experimental Evaluation of Current California Policy and AlternativesTo evaluate standard and alternative strategies for selecting and treating accident-involved drivers in California. |
III | |
| 93.1 | 1985/ 03 |
An Abstract of License Extensions for Clean-Record Drivers: A Four-Year Follow-UpTo evaluate the traffic safety effect of extending driver licenses by mail for drivers with clean prior four-year records. |
II |