Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

CalMatters Dives Into the Deadly Relicensing Practices at DMV

“We found nearly 40% of the drivers charged with vehicular manslaughter since 2019 have a valid license.”

While state legislators, city councils, and activists all look for ways to make California’s streets safer, a groundbreaking report by CalMatters illustrates the important role that our state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) plays in keeping our roads unsafe.

In “License to Kill,” journalist Robert Lewis and a team of eight researchers scoured DMV records from counties across the state. The report’s findings are illustrated by a series of heartbreaking stories about families whose lives were destroyed after crashes--and how the people responsible are legally back on the road.

The scariest part is this statistic: “We found nearly 40% of the drivers charged with vehicular manslaughter since 2019 have a valid license.”

If you have the stomach to read more, check out the entire series at CalMatters:

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Wednesday’s Headlines

Man, that e-bike program cancellation story is the story that just keeps giving (to the headlines stack that is...)

December 17, 2025

Update: AC Transit Closes Investigation of Bus Operator Assault on a Bicyclist

Bus driver used the bike lane, tailgated cyclist, honked at him, and then nearly ran him over, all captured on video. AC Transit closes its short investigation without announcing any steps against the driver.

December 16, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines

Maybe one day we'll take safety seriously.

December 16, 2025

The Real Reason America Can’t Have The Tiny Japanese-Style Cars Trump Says He Wants

Trump is right that kei cars are super-kawaii — but he's wrong that clearing the regulatory decks is enough to bring them to U.S. shores.

December 15, 2025

State Grant Will Pay for Better Diesel Trains, Not Zero-Emission Trains, for Metrolink

I made a mistake covering the CTC grants last week that impacts a story Streetsblog has been covering. Let's set the record straight.

December 15, 2025

Update: City of San Mateo Commission Votes Unanimously to Keep Humboldt Bike Lanes

"Streets belong to all 105,000 of us" says one of the commissioners as advocates celebrate a victory in the battle to save bike lanes.

December 15, 2025
See all posts