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:

Departamento de Vehículos Motorizados
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.

395 Results

Report ID Date Published Title Section Links
67 1978/ 09

Medically Impaired Drivers: An Evaluation of California Policy (Senate Bill 2033 – Garcia)

By: Mary K. Janke, Raymond C. Peck, & Dell R. Dreyer

To evaluate the Department's licensing policies and practices relative to drivers with mental or physical conditions which might affect their ability to drive safely.

VI
62.1 1978/ 08

An Evaluation of the California Drive Test in Theme and Variation. Volume I: Treatment Development and Preliminary Evaluation

By: Michael Ratz

To develop two modifications of the standard California drive test--the first to make the test more difficult, the second to make the test more comprehensive and more difficult. In addition, the relationships between scores on the standard and new, more comprehensive, test and biographical and driver record data were to be obtained.

II
62 1978/ 08

An Evaluation of the California Drive Test in Theme and Variation. Volume I: Treatment Development and Preliminary Evaluation

By: Michael Ratz

To develop two modifications of the standard California drive test--the first to make the test more difficult, the second to make the test more comprehensive and more difficult. In addition, the relationships between scores on the standard and new, more comprehensive, test and biographical and driver record data were to be obtained.

II
NRN090 1978/ 08

Error Rate Study, Division of Drivers’ Licenses

By: Maureen Miller

To identify errors in information contained in the drivers' license file; to describe their nature, number and sources.

VII
NRN003 1978/ 07

IIHS Study on Driver Education: Fact or Fiction?

By: Raymond C. Peck

To point out some critical limitations of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's study on driver training.

I
63 1978/ 07

The Effects of Written Licensing Tests Stressing Knowledge of Safe Driving Principles for Intermediate Record Renewal Applicants

By: David Carpenter

To determine the comparative effects of a new, longer test, stressing knowledge of safe-driving principles, on subsequent driving record. The new tests were administered to renewal applicants who had moderate numbers of collisions and convictions on record, with a control group of comparable drivers receiving standard DMV law tests.

II
61 1978/ 06

The Effects of Administering Written Tests Stressing Knowledge of Safe Driving Principles to Renewal Driver’s License Applicants

By: David Carpenter

A new licensing test series stressing knowledge of safe driving principles and recent law changes was administered to a group of California driver's license renewal applicants. The primary purpose was to determine if the two series of test forms, testing knowledge of different types of information, differentially affected subjects' subsequent driving records when used in the California DMV knowledge testing program. A secondary objective was to determine the degree of relationship between test scores and driving performance.

II
66.1 1978/ 04

An Abstract of Educational Approaches to Driver Improvement: An Experimental Evaluation with Negligent Drivers

By: William C. Marsh

To 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
66 1978/ 04

Educational Approaches to Driver Improvement: An Experimental Evaluation with Negligent Drivers

By: William C. Marsh

To 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
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