An applicant for the issuance or renewal of a driver’s license may request that a notation be placed on the license indicating that the applicant is hearing impaired.

The department shall place the notation on the driver’s license if requested by the applicant and if the applicant provides an original certificate from a licensed physician, as defined in § 40-47-5, that the applicant has a permanent, uncorrectable hearing loss of forty decibels or more in one or both ears.

This section shall apply to a driver’s license issued after 2012.