(a) The department shall, upon request, consent to the immediate cancellation of a bond or certificate of insurance, or shall return to the person entitled to it money or securities deposited as proof of financial responsibility, or shall waive the requirement of filing proof, in any of the following events:
(1) at any time after three years from the date proof is required when, during the three year period preceding the request, the department has not received record of a conviction or a forfeiture of bail that would require or permit the suspension or revocation of the license or registration of the person by or for whom the proof was furnished; or
(2) upon the death of the person on whose behalf the proof was filed or the permanent incapacity of the person to operate a motor vehicle; or
(3) if the person who has given proof surrenders the person's license to the department.
(b) The department may not consent to the cancellation of a bond or the return of money or securities if an action for damages upon a liability covered by the proof is pending or a judgment upon the liability is unsatisfied, or if the person who filed the bond or deposited money or securities has within one year immediately preceding the request been involved as a driver or owner in a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury or damage to the person or property of others. An affidavit of the applicant as to the nonexistence of these facts, or that the applicant is released from all of this liability, or has been finally adjudicated not to be liable for the injury or damage is sufficient evidence in the absence of evidence to the contrary in the records of the department.
(c) Whenever a person whose proof has been cancelled or returned under (a)(3) of this section applies for a license within a period of three years from the date proof was originally required, the application shall be refused unless the applicant reestablishes the proof for the remainder of the three-year period.