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
Note Please include the report number, the number of copies requested, and your name, address, and phone number.
| Report ID | Date Published | Title | Section | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 227 | 2008/ 10 |
Vehicle Ownership Among Drivers Convicted of Driving While Suspended/Revoked in CaliforniaSuspended and revoked (S/R) drivers who continue to drive are at increased risk of being involved in crashes, driving under the influence, and other driving violations. |
III | |
| 237 | 2012/ 05 |
Identifying Barriers to Driving Privilege Reinstatement among California DUI OffendersEvidence suggests that many suspended DUI offenders delay reinstatement of their driving privileges long after they become eligible to reinstate and that those who delay have higher recidivism rates and remain outside of the driver-control system, making corrective action difficult if their driving continues to be a problem. This study updates prior estimates of the extent to which California DUI offenders delay reinstatement of their driving privileges after suspension and investigates the perceived barriers to reinstatement through surveys of offenders and DUI-system professionals. California driver records show that the majority of otherwise reinstatement-eligible 1st and 2ndDUI offenders in California do not reinstate their driving privileges 3 or more years following their arrests. The surveyed offenders and DUI-system professionals indicated strong agreement that high overall financial costs and offenders’ confusion about system requirements are the most significant barriers to meeting the obligations that would enable offenders to reinstate their driving privilege, followed closely by failure to complete DUI Program requirements, most often because of offenders’ inability to pay the program costs, and also because they lack available alternate transportation to attend classes. The barriers to reinstatement may effectivelydeter some offenders from driving, preventing DUI incidents they might otherwise have caused, but appear to deprive others at risk of recidivating who continue to drive impaired from access to needed intervention programs. To address the study’s primary identified barriers to driving privilege reinstatement, several recommendations are made addressing cost mitigation, improved centralized communication of system requirements, and the benefits to obtaining early license restrictionand, ultimately, reinstatement. |
III | |
| 36 | 1971/ 03 |
Modifying Negligent Driving Behavior: Evaluation of Selected Driver Improvement TechniquesTo compare and evaluate eight different methods of dealing with negligent drivers. |
III | |
| 37 | 1971/ 06 |
The Effectiveness of a Uniform Traffic School Curriculum for Negligent DriversEvaluate the effectiveness of a uniform traffic school curriculum developed for the traffic violation repeater. |
III | |
| 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 | |
| 59.1 | 1977/ 09 |
Executive Summary of The Effectiveness of License Suspension or Revocation for Drivers Convicted of Multiple Driving-Under-The-Influence Offenses (An Interim Report for the Evaluation of Senate Bill (SB) 330-Gregorio)To assess the efficacy of using mandated license actions for multiple DUI offenders as accident countermeasures. |
III | |
| 71 | 1979/ 09 |
The Effectiveness of Accredited Traffic Violator Schools in Reducing Accidents and ViolationsTo evaluate the effects of accredited traffic violator schools (TVS) on traffic safety |
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 | |
| 83 | 1982/ 09 |
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 | |
| 116 | 1988/ 12 |
An Evaluation of the Traffic Safety Impact of Provisional LicensingTo evaluate the traffic safety impact of California's Provisional Driver License Program. The primary goal of the program is to reduce the rate of traffic accidents and traffic violations involving 15- through 17-year-olds in California. |
II |