Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41338766›Full record

ArticleJournal of safety research2025

Validation of a performance-based driving assessment: Implications for licensing young drivers.

Jessica Hafetz, Catherine Gervais, D Leann Long, Carol A Ford, Mindy Collett, Mike Curry, Catherine C McDonald

Abstract readValidation Study
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of safety research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Jessica HafetzThe University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Electronic address: jessica.hafetz@ed.ac.uk.
Catherine GervaisWake Forest University, USA.
D Leann LongWake Forest University, USA.
Carol A FordChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia, USA; The University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Mindy CollettI Love to Drive, USA.
Mike CurryI Love to Drive, USA.
Catherine C McDonaldThe University of Pennsylvania, USA.

Funding

Promoting Transportation Safety in AdolescenceR01HD095248 · NICHD · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · PI LONG, DOROTHY LEANN, MCDONALD, CATHERINE CLAIRE · 2018 to 2022
$3.0M
NICHD NIH HHS R01 HD095248
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe on-road behind-the-wheel "practical" license test is the gate by which aspiring drivers must pass in order to drive independently in many jurisdictions. Evidence linking practical test performance and future driving outcomes is mixed. In the United States, license tests are characterized by high pass rates. A more rigorous test might dissuade applicants who are not ready from attempting the test, encourage better preparation, and also sensitize aspirational drivers to their areas of strengths and weaknesses; this is especially important for young, novice drivers.

methodsThe purpose of this analysis was to detail the validation and implementation of the Drivingly On-Road Driver Assessment (DORA) to inform the debate on adopting a more challenging license test for young drivers and to describe the frequency of critical errors committed. Dyads randomized to the intervention arm of the Drivingly trial and who participated in the DORA were analyzed (n = 453 adolescents). The DORA was administered in live-traffic by a certified instructor at the end of the state learner's permit holding period. Critical errors were assessed. Drivers self-reported practice hours and number of license test attempts following the DORA. Driver licenses were authenticated by the study team. Enrollment ran from 8/18/2021 to 12/15/2023.

resultsLearner drivers passing the practical test the first-time had fewer critical errors on the DORA than those who took 3 + attempts or who delayed license-testing (p < 0.0001). Practice was inversely associated with errors (p < 0.001). Commission of critical errors was common, yet 317(70%) of learner drivers were licensed in one practical test attempt.

conclusionsThe DORA validly assesses driving performance. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Changing state practical driver licensing examinations to be more comprehensive and rigorous could enhance traffic safety.

Indexed as

Automobile Driver ExaminationAutomobile DrivingLicensureAccidents, TrafficAdolescentFemaleHumansMaleUnited StatesDriver LicensingMotor Vehicle CrashesYoung Drivers

Identifiers

PMID41338766
PMCPMC12676009

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.