If you owe large sums of overdue child support, a new Texas rule may keep you from registering your vehicle.

As provided by state statute, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) can now deny motor vehicle registration renewals to parents who have gone six months or more without making a child support payment.

According to the Office of the Attorney General, the denial of motor vehicle registration renewals utilizes existing law that allows the OAG to deny the renewal of Texas licenses, registrations, and permits held by delinquent obligors.  The goal is to obtain compliance with court orders and get lawfully obligated money to children.

Beginning in September 2016, parents who have not made a payment in at least six months and whose motor vehicle registrations expire in December will receive notice from TxDMV that their motor vehicle registration renewal is being denied due to child support delinquency. Also, parents will receive a letter from the OAG that the TxDMV will not process their motor vehicle registration renewal until they contact the OAG to arrange a payment plan and make a satisfactory payment toward the plan.

The Dallas Morning News reports that so far, the Texas Attorney General’s office has collected more than $160,000 in child support since the rule went into effect.

The law applies to Office of the Attorney General (OAG) child support cases. To learn more about this and how you can make a payment, click here.