(

a) The department shall, before issuing or renewing any license, check the record of the applicant for conviction of traffic violations and traffic accidents. (

b) The department shall, before issuing or renewing any license, check the record of the applicant for notices of failure to appear in court filed with it and shall withhold or shall not issue a license to any applicant who has violated their written promise to appear in court unless the department has received a certificate issued by the magistrate or clerk of the court hearing the case in which the promise was given showing that the case has been adjudicated or unless the applicant’s record is cleared as provided in

Chapter 6 (commencing with

Section 41500) of Division 17. In lieu of the certificate of adjudication, a notice from the court stating that the original records have been lost or destroyed shall permit the department to issue a license. (c)

(1) Any notice received by the department pursuant to former

Section 40509,

Section 40509.1, or former

Section 40509.5, except subdivision (

c) of former

Section 40509.5, that has been on file five years may be removed from the department records and destroyed at the discretion of the department.

(2) Any notice received by the department under subdivision (

c) of former

Section 40509.5 that has been on file years may be removed from the department records and destroyed at the discretion of the department. (

d) This

section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.