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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92 | 1984/ 08 |
California Driver Survey: The Habits and Opinions of Drivers on Selected Traffic Safety Related IssuesTo collect information on driving exposure, socioeconomic factors, and attitudes about driving for a random sample of motorists. |
VII | |
| IM3 | 1981/ 06 |
Multiple Sales Use Tax SurveyTo determine loss in use tax resulting from unreported vehicle transfers. |
VII | |
| NRN090 | 1978/ 08 |
Error Rate Study, Division of Drivers’ LicensesTo identify errors in information contained in the drivers' license file; to describe their nature, number and sources. |
VII | |
| NRN091 | 1984/ 07 |
A Study of Alternative Strategies for Assessing Fees on Commercially Registered VehiclesThis study was initiated by the Division of Registration and Investigative Services. The scope of the study was subsequently broadened to meet the requirements of Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 11 of the 1983 legislative session. The final report for this study was submitted in July 1984. The objectives of this study were to: 1. develop a schedule for assessing weight fees on commercially registered power vehicles (6,500 or more pounds unladen) and trailers, based on declared laden or gross weight (GVW) of individual power vehicles and trailers (this schedule would replace the current unladen weight fee table; registration and vehicle license fees would continue to be collected); 2. develop a fee-assessment system for commercially registered power vehicles (6,500 or more pounds unladen) and trailers, based on the declared combined gross weight (CGW) of power vehicles (CGW would be declared for only power units and would include the total weight of the power unit, all trailing vehicles, if any, and all loads) and charging only a standard fee on each trailer (the CGW fee assessed on power vehicles and the trailer fee would replace the registration, vehicle license, and unladen weight fees currently collected on power vehicles and trailers); and 3. estimate the total 1985 revenue loss under a CGW fee schedule that would allow fees remaining on deleted interstate power vehicles to be credited toward fees due on their power vehicle replacements, and produce an adjusted CGW fee schedule that would recoup this revenue loss. |
VII | |
| NRN092 | 1986/ 03 |
Effective- Time ChartsTo graphically present trends in effective-time management in each DMV field office, each field office grade level, and statewide, in order to assess effectiveness of departmental operations in serving the motoring public. |
VII | |
| NRN096 | 1986/ 07 |
Conceptual Plan for an Integrated Management Information System(1) To demonstrate the utility of, and need for, an integrated management information system, (2) to implement a rudimentary system as a demonstration of the feasibility of developing a full-fledged management information system, and (3) to chart a course for the future development of a management information system. |
VII | |
| NRN097 | 1986/ 07 |
Executive Management Information SystemThe Executive Management Information System was an attempt to develop a departmental management information system (MIS) for DMV. Summarized production data was compiled and formatted to provide information for middle and upper management. |
VII | |
| NRN100 | 1988/ 04 |
Standardization of Production Rates for Comparing Field OfficesTo develop practical examples of standardization techniques for use in DMV field offices and headquarters units. |
VII | |
| NRN104 | 1991/ 01 |
Accidents, Mileage, and the Exaggeration of RiskTo correct a common misinterpretation of the accidents-per-mile measure. The assumption that accidents should be proportional to miles driven is shown to be invalid and to exaggerate the accident risk of lowmileage groups. |
VII | |
| 248 | 2014/ 10 |
Cellular Phone Distracted Driving: A Review of the Literature and Summary of Crash and Driver Characteristics in CaliforniaThe present study reviews the literature on cell phone-distracted driving including the effectiveness of legislative efforts to reduce the behavior. It also reports results of descriptive analyses characterizing crashes and drivers involved in police-reported, cell phone-distracted crashes in California. Cell phone use in the U.S. is widespread and increasing. People tend to support legislative efforts to limit the use of cell phones while driving despite the fact that many continue to engage in the behavior. Empirical and observational research consistently shows a negative impact of cell phone use on driving performance and crash risk. The present study extracted data from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System database pertaining to crashes that occurred between 2003 and 2011 in California. These data were examined at two levels: crash and driver. Crash analyses revealed that most crashes did not involve inattention. When they did, non-cell phone inattention was more common than cell phone inattention and hand-held cell phone use was more commonly associated with crashes than hands-free. The most common primary crash factor for cell phone-related fatal/injury crashes was traveling at an unsafe speed. A larger percentage of cell phone-related fatal/injury crashes occurred during the workweek than on the weekend, and more occurred in the afternoon than in the morning or night. Driver analyses revealed that 21 to 30 year-old drivers accounted for the largest percentage of drivers involved in cell phone-related fatal/injury crashes. Males accounted for more cell phone-related fatal/injury crashes than females. Finally, drivers reported as using a cell phone at the time of fatal/injury crashes were more likely to be found at fault, and were slightly more likely to be found at fault than those using hands-free devices. |
VII |