Except as otherwise provided in Sections 40221 and 40222, the processing agency shall proceed under only one of the following options in order to collect an unpaid parking penalty:
(a)
File an itemization of unpaid parking penalties and service fees with the department for collection with the registration of the vehicle pursuant to Section 4760.
(b)
If more than four hundred dollars ($400) in unpaid penalties and fees have been accrued by any person or registered owner, proof thereof may be filed with the court with the same effect as a civil judgment. Execution may be levied and other measures may be taken for the collection of the judgment as are authorized for the collection of an unpaid civil judgment entered against a defendant in an action on a debtor. The court may assess costs against a judgment debtor to be paid upon satisfaction of the judgment. The processing agency shall send a notice by first-class mail to the person or registered owner indicating that a judgment shall be entered for the unpaid penalties, fees, and costs and that, after 21 calendar days from the date of the mailing of the notice, the judgment shall have the same effect as an entry of judgment against a judgment debtor. The person or registered owner shall also be notified at that time that execution may be levied against his or her assets, liens may be placed against his or her property, his or her wages may be garnisheed, and other steps may be taken to satisfy the judgment. If a judgment is rendered for the processing agency, that agency may contract with a collection agency to collect the amount of that judgment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the processing agency shall pay the established first paper civil filing fee at the time an entry of civil judgment is requested.
(c)
If the registration of the vehicle has not been renewed for 60 days beyond the renewal date, and the citation has not been collected by the department pursuant to Section 4760, file proof of unpaid penalties and fees with the court with the same effect as a civil judgment as provided in subdivision (b).
(d)
This section does not apply to a registered owner of a vehicle if the citation was issued prior to the registered owner taking possession of the vehicle and the department has notified the processing agency pursuant to Section 4764.