All annual licenses shall be operative and the license year for the city shall commence on the first day of May of each year and shall terminate on the last day of April of the following year, where no provision to the contrary is made.

    The city clerk shall notify all licensees of the city of the time of expiration of the license held by the licensee (if an annual) three weeks prior to the date of such expiration; provided, however, that a failure to make such notification, or the failure of the licensee to receive it, shall not excuse the licensee from the obligation to obtain a new license, or a renewal thereof, nor shall it be a defense in an action based upon operation without a license. (Prior code § 7-1-6)