(a)
In addition to the reasons specified in Section 8800, the department may suspend the apportioned registration of a vehicle or a fleet, when the person responsible for the safety of the vehicle or a fleet of vehicles is prohibited from operating in interstate commerce by a federal agency.
(b)
Whenever the department suspends the apportioned registration of a vehicle or a fleet pursuant to subdivision (a), the department may refuse the issuance of vehicle registration as authorized pursuant to Section 4751.
(c)
Whenever the department suspends the apportioned registration under subdivision (a), the department shall furnish the person responsible for the vehicle or fleet with written notice of the suspension.
(d)
When an apportioned registration is suspended pursuant to this section, and that suspension is based wholly or in part on the failure of the person to maintain a vehicle or a fleet in safe operating condition, the person to whom the registration was issued shall not lease, or otherwise allow, another person to operate a vehicle that is subject to the suspension during the period of the suspension.
(e)
A person shall not knowingly lease, operate, dispatch, or otherwise utilize a vehicle from another person whose apportioned registration is suspended, when that suspension is based wholly or in part on the failure of the person to maintain a vehicle or a fleet in safe operating condition.
(f)
The apportioned registration of a vehicle or a fleet, that was suspended because the vehicle or fleet is prohibited from operating in interstate commerce by a federal agency may be reinstated upon notification from the federal agency that the prohibition has been lifted.
(g)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, before an apportioned registration may be reissued after a suspension is terminated, there shall, in addition to other fees required by this code, be paid to the department a fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150). This fee shall be deposited in the Motor Vehicle Account to cover the department’s cost of administering this program.