(a) Every driver's license shall expire on the licensee's birthday in the fourth year following the issuance of such license. Every such license shall be renewed on or before its expiration upon application, payment of the required fee, and satisfactory completion of the examination required or authorized by subsection (b) of this Code section. Every holder of a veteran's or honorary license shall meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this Code section on or before his or her birthday every four years, beginning from the date on which the holder was last required to take an examination under former Ga. L. 1972, p. 1076, as amended by Ga. L. 1973, pp. 916, 917. The department may allow a veteran or honorary license holder to retain his or her expired veteran's or honorary license as a souvenir. The commissioner shall issue such rules and regulations as are required to enforce this subsection.

(b) The department shall require every person applying for renewal of a driver's license to take and pass successfully such test of his or her eyesight as the department shall prescribe. At the time of the renewal, the department shall issue a pamphlet containing information pertaining to new traffic laws and to traffic laws most frequently violated. The commissioner may issue such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement this subsection.