THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN AT-HOME DRIVERS LICENSING LAW TEST

Currently, drivers license applicants are required to take a written law test when they renew their license every four years. The purpose of the present project was to explore new approaches to testing which would hopefully cost less, be more convenient to the public, and reduce accidents and convictions. Those with no accidents or convictions within the past three years were sent a pamphlet self-test, a sheet with the answers, and a notice to renew their drivers license (specially coded). When they presented the renewal notice at the field office, their regular written test was waived. Those with one accident or one conviction during the past three years were sent a pamphlet test, a sheet on which to mark their answers, and a renewal notice. When they presented the answer sheet and renewal notice, their regular written test was waived. Control groups comprised of similar drivers receiving DMV's regular written test were included to provide a comparison baseline. There were not significant differences overall between the control and treatment groups. For various subgroups the effects of the new program tended to increase accidents and convictions. Although the new experimental programs cost less operationally, the cost of the increased accidents would be greater than the operational savings. Since the new at-home tests were not cost-effective compared to the present field office testing, it is recommended that they not be implemented.