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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14.2 | 1963/ 07 |
A Cost Study of “Substitute License Plates” Vs “Duplicate License Plates”To determine the relative advantages of the Department of Motor Vehicles' present system of issuing substitute plates when a license plate is lost, stolen, or mutilated with a proposed system of issuing duplicate plates. In addition, a procedure for issuing duplicate plates is suggested and a cost comparison is made between the proposed system and the present system. |
VII | |
| 15 | 1963/ 07 |
The Totally Deaf Driver in California, Part ITo determine whether or not the driving records of deaf drivers differ from those of non-deaf drivers, and whether or not deafness or other factors are responsible for any differences found. Specifically, the study was designed to ascertain whether the deaf driver represents a special risk to public safety and, if so, to suggest any necessary licensing restrictions or unique training needs. |
VI | |
| 13 | 1963/ 03 |
Migration to CaliforniaThrough a survey, to describe the origin, county of California residence, age, and sex composition of 31,358 households registering out-of-state vehicles in California. |
VII | |
| 12 | 1963/ 02 |
California Vehicle Registrations and Driver Licenses – 1946-1961To produce an extension of the 1959 Department of Motor Vehicles report titled "California Vehicle Registrations and Drivers Licenses, 1946-1958" (Research Report No.1) for the years 1959, 1960, and 1961. The report should be useful as a basic set of historical statistical information regarding California vehicle registrations and drivers' licenses. |
VII | |
| 14.1 | 1963/ 01 |
An Evaluation of “Plate to Owner” Vs “Plate to Vehicle” Registration MethodsTo determine the advantages and disadvantages of issuing license plates to owners of motor vehicles versus issuing license plates to vehicles. To investigate effects of issuing plates to owners on the public, government, industry, and other groups. |
VII | |
| 11 | 1962/ 10 |
Control of the Negligent Driver–Part II: Driving Performance of Negligent DriversTo make thorough and comparative analyses of performance of negligent drivers before and after departmental action, and of the differences, if any, associated with age, type of action taken, mileage driven, occupation, sex, type of license, and other factors or combinations of factors. |
III | |
| 9 | 1961/ 10 |
A Controlled Evaluation of Group Driver Improvement MeetingsTo describe and analyze the results of an experimental program of group driver improvement meetings. |
III | |
| 08 | 1961/ 02 |
Control of the Negligent Driver–Part I: Characteristics of Negligent DriversTo discover if there are characteristics differentiating negligent drivers from the "average" driver, and if relationships exist between actual driving performance and mileage driven, occupation, age, or sex. |
III | |
| 2 | 1960/ 10 |
Vision Research Project Progress ReportTo present an interim report on the finding of our Visual Research Program for which a preliminary report was presented in January 1959. |
VI | |
| 7 | 1960/ 10 |
A Study of Mechanization of Operations – Drivers License Information Request ServicesTo study, at the request of Mr. Fred P. Williams, Chief, Division of Drivers Licenses, the systems applicable to the mechanization of the sorting and billing operations in the Department of Motor Vehicle’s Information Request Unit. |
VII |