(a) The department shall issue a cab card for each vehicle requiring registration. A cab card must:
(1) show the registration number of the certificate issued under § 643.054(b);
(2) show the vehicle unit number;
(3) show the vehicle identification number; and
(4) contain a statement that the vehicle is registered to operate under this subchapter.
(b) The department shall issue cab cards at the time a motor carrier pays a registration fee under this subchapter. The department may charge a fee of $1 for each cab card.

(c) A motor carrier required to register under this subchapter must keep the cab card in the cab of each vehicle requiring registration the carrier operates.
(d) The department may order a motor carrier to surrender a cab card if the carrier’s registration is suspended or revoked under § 643.252.
(e) If the department determines that the cab card system described by Subsections (a)-(c) is not an efficient means of enforcing this subchapter, the department by rule may adopt an alternative method that is accessible by law enforcement personnel in the field and provides for the enforcement of the registration requirements of this subchapter.
(f) A cab card or a vehicle registration issued under the alternative method described in Subsection (e) must be valid for the same duration of time as a motor carrier’s certificate issued under § 643.054(b) or § 643.061(c)(1).