If a deposit is given instead of the bond required by Section 11301:
(a) The Director of Motor Vehicles may order the refund of the deposit three years from the date a vehicle verifier has ceased to be licensed, if the director is satisfied that there are no outstanding claims against the deposit. A judge of a superior court may order the return of the deposit prior to the expiration of three years from the date a vehicle verifier has ceased to be licensed if there is evidence satisfactory to the court that there are no outstanding claims against the deposit.
(b) If the director, department, or state is a defendant in any action instituted to recover all or any part of the deposit, or any action is instituted by the director, department, or state to determine those entitled to any part of the deposit, the director, department, or state shall be paid reasonable attorney fees and costs from the deposit. Costs shall include those administrative costs incurred in processing claims against the deposit.
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 784, Sec. 599. Effective January 1, 2003.)