RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION.

(a) Except as provided in Section 643.061, a registration issued under this subchapter is valid for one year. The department may adopt a system under which registrations expire at different times during the year.

(b) At least 30 days before the date on which a motor carrier's registration expires, the department shall notify the carrier of the impending expiration. The notice must be in writing and sent to the motor carrier's last known address according to the records of the department.

(c) A motor carrier may renew a registration under this subchapter by:

(1) supplementing the application with any new information required under Section 643.056;

(2) paying a $10 fee for each vehicle requiring registration; and

(3) providing the department evidence of continuing insurance or financial responsibility in an amount at least equal to the amount set by the department under Section 643.101.

(d) A motor carrier may not renew a registration that has been expired for more than 180 days. The motor carrier may obtain a new registration by complying with the requirements and procedures for obtaining an original registration under this chapter.

(e) The department may deny a motor carrier's application to renew a registration if the motor carrier is owned, operated, managed, or otherwise controlled by or affiliated with a person, including a family member, corporate officer, entity, or shareholder, that:

(1) the Department of Public Safety has determined has:

(A) an unsatisfactory safety rating under 49 C.F.R. Part 385; or

(B) multiple violations of Chapter 644, a rule adopted under that chapter, or Subtitle C, other than Section 545.455(c);

(2) owned, operated, managed, or otherwise controlled a motor carrier that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has placed out of service for unacceptable safety compliance; or

(3) has unpaid administrative penalties assessed under this chapter or Subtitle E.