Any person operating a motor vehicle on the public highways of this state under the authority of any trip, temporary, or excess weight permit provided for in this article, shall at all times carry such permit in the vehicle for which it is issued, and any representative or employee of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, or any other officer authorized by law, shall have the right to demand the production of such permit and make an examination and inspection of the same, together with an examination and inspection of such vehicle and the contents thereof, to determine whether or not the permit issued is sufficient to cover the operations being carried on and the gross weight traversing the highways. For failure to have such permit in his possession at all times while operating such vehicle upon the public highways of this state, the owner or operator thereof shall be liable for the same penalties as are provided for failure to obtain such permit.