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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | 1980/ 04 |
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 | |
| IM1 | 1993/ 09 |
Pilot of the Driving Performance EvaluationTo 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 TestTo evaluate the written Words and Phrases Test (DL-140) and provide test and item statistics. |
II | |
| NRN008 | 1983/ 07 |
Evaluation of Ambulance Driver Knowledge TestTo 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 ReportTo 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 | |
| 44 | 1973/ 12 |
An Evaluation of the Drive Test as an Examination Requirement for Drivers Previously Licensed in Another StateTo determine if waiving the drive test for original applicants previously licensed in another state would be detrimental to their driving records. |
II | |
| 52 | 1976/ 04 |
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 | |
| 61 | 1978/ 06 |
The Effects of Administering Written Tests Stressing Knowledge of Safe Driving Principles to Renewal Driver’s License ApplicantsA 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 | |
| 62.2 | 1978/ 12 |
An Evaluation of the California Drive Test in Theme and Variation. Volume II: Final ReportTo determine if a longer, more "comprehensive" drive test, or the standard drive test with parallel parking and a higher fail rate, would improve the subsequent driving records of previously unlicensed applicants. |
II | |
| 73 | 1980/ 02 |
Development of a Provisional Licensing Program for New California DriversTo examine the feasibility of provisional licensing procedures for new California drivers and to analyze potential program components. |
II |