Any officer enumerated in Section 32-9-3 having reason to believe that the height, length, width, or weight of any truck, semitrailer truck, or trailer is in excess of the maximum limits prescribed by Section 32-9-20 or permitted by any permit issued under authority of Section 32-9-29 is authorized to measure or weigh the same, either by means of portable or stationary scales, and may require such vehicle to be driven to the nearest stationary scales, in the event such scales are within a distance of five miles. All scales used for the weighing of vehicles as provided in this section shall be approved by the weights and measures division of the Department of Agriculture and Industries. The officer shall require the operator of the truck, semitrailer truck, or trailer to unload such portion of load as may be necessary to decrease the gross weight of such vehicle to the maximum gross weight permitted by this title or by the terms of any permit in the possession of such operator and issued under the provisions of Section 32-9-29 (which excess load, when unloaded, shall be at the sole risk of the owner) or, at the election of the operator, the officer shall permit the operator to move such vehicle and its load to the nearest incorporated town or the nearest court having jurisdiction, at which place the excess load shall be unloaded. The refusal of any such operator to permit his or her truck, semitrailer truck, or trailer to be measured or weighed, or to proceed to a stationary scales or to unload the excess load shall constitute a violation of this chapter.