(a) An individual sixty-five years of age or older may renew a motor vehicle operator’s license for either a two-year period or a six-year period. The fee for any license issued for a two-year period shall be twenty-two dollars.

      (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 14-36h, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may waive the requirement that a motor vehicle operator’s license issued to an operator sixty-five years of age or older bear a photograph of the operator upon written application by such operator and a showing of hardship, which shall include, but not be limited to, the proximity of such operator’s residence to a Department of Motor Vehicles branch office providing license renewal services.