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:
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.
| Report ID | Date Published | Title | Section | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 1973/ 05 |
Physically Handicapped Drivers: A Comparative Study of Driver RecordsThis study was conducted at the request of California State Assemblyman John P. Quimby, who was interested in the driving record of handicapped persons with loss of, or limited control of, one or more of their limbs. This study was expected to be useful in evaluating California's driver licensing policy and in providing some guidance to insurance companies in establishing premiums for handicapped drivers. California's policy has been to license physically handicapped persons who meet the same standards on the written and on-road examinations as non-handicapped persons. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not handicapped drivers have accident records different from those of non-handicapped drivers, and consequently, whether there is any basis for differential licensing standards or insurance premiums. |
VI | |
| 40 | 1973/ 03 |
An Evaluation of California’s Oral Licensing ExaminationTo analyze the cost and effect of orally examining illiterate applicants. |
II | |
| 39 | 1973/ 03 |
The Prediction of Accident Liability through Biographical Data and Psychometric TestsTo evaluate the role of human factors in traffic accidents. |
IV | |
| 38 | 1971/ 09 |
The Young Driver Follow-up Study: An Evaluation of the Role of Human Factors in the First Four Years of DrivingTo collect biographical and driving-record data in order to provide evidence for evaluating three approaches to reducing the high accident rate among teenagers: (1) raising the licensing age to 18; (2) identifying the "accident prone" driver; and (3) improving driving via formal driving education and training. |
VI | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 35 | 1979/ 06 |
An Evaluation of Waiving the Driving Tests for Selected Graduates of Driver TrainingTo determine if it was plausible, without a reduction in screening quality, to permit the schools to certify students as meeting the requirements for a driver's license instead of requiring a driving test administered by DMV. |
I | |
| 34 | 1970/ 06 |
Traffic Violations by Type, Age, Sex, and Marital StatusTo examine how the distribution of violation types varies with such basic demographic variables as age, sex, and marital status. |
IV | |
| 33 | 1970/ 07 |
Prediction of Driving Behavior Following a Group Driver Improvement SessionTo determine the extent to which driving record subsequent to a driver improvement meeting could be predicted from a personality test and biographical questionnaire. |
IV | |
| 31 | 1970/ 03 |
Projected Motor Vehicle Registration and Drivers Licenses Outstanding, 1970-85To prepare a set of estimated vehicle registrations to 1985, by county, for each of the four classes of vehicles --passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers. |
VII |