(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-41, there shall be charged a fee of forty-three dollars for each renewal of a motor vehicle operator’s license issued for a period of four years, a fee of sixty-five dollars for each renewal of a motor vehicle operator’s license issued for a period of six years and an additional fee of twelve dollars for each year for each passenger endorsement.

      (b) There shall be charged for each examination of an operator of a motor vehicle a fee of forty dollars. There may be charged for each advance appointment for an operator’s license examination a fee of fifteen dollars which fee shall be paid to the commissioner at least six business days prior to the date of the appointment and shall be applied toward the examination fee if the applicant keeps the appointment. If the applicant fails to keep the appointment, the appointment fee shall be forfeited, unless (1) in the judgment of the commissioner, the applicant’s failure to keep the appointment was due to exigent circumstances, or (2) the applicant reschedules the appointment.

      (c) The commissioner shall waive any operator’s license or registration fee, including any renewal fee in the case of any person in the active service of the armed forces of the United States who was a legal resident of Connecticut at the time of his induction; and for one licensing period to any person honorably separated from such service who applies therefor within two years following the date of separation and was a legal resident of Connecticut at the time of his induction. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

      (d) Upon request by the chief of any regular fire department or volunteer fire company operating in the state of Connecticut, the commissioner shall waive the operator’s examination fee in the case of any member of any such fire department or company who applies for a class 1 operator’s license as provided in section 14-36a. The applicant for such license shall satisfy all prerequisites for the issuance of a class 1 license.

      (e) The commissioner may assess a fee to cover the cost of the collection of number plates, motor vehicle registration certificates or operators’ licenses, upon the holders thereof; and such number plates, motor vehicle registration certificates or operators’ licenses shall not be returned to the holder thereof or reissued until such fee is paid.

      (f) Whenever any check issued to the commissioner in payment of any fee is returned as uncollectible, the commissioner shall charge the drawer of such check or the person presenting such check to him a fee of thirty-five dollars for each such check which is drawn in an amount of not more than two hundred dollars, and a fee of fifteen per cent of the full amount of each such check which is drawn in an amount in excess of two hundred dollars, plus all protest fees, to cover the cost of collection.

      (g) All fees provided for in this chapter shall be construed to be license fees imposed for the administration of this chapter and as compensation for the privilege of using the highways of this state, and to reimburse the state in whole or in part for injury done to the highways by the operation of motor vehicles.