Except as otherwise provided by law, a motor vehicle, or a combination of motor vehicles, may not be operated upon the highways of this state when the gross weight exceeds the registered gross weight for which the vehicle or combination of vehicles was licensed. Any person violating the provisions of this section will be required to license such motor vehicle at the higher legal rate in accordance with the weight carried by the motor vehicle at the time of the violation for the entire license period. However, such registration may not be construed to authorize the movement of loads in violation of chapter 39-12.
N.D.C.C. § 39-04-22