No dealer, except as provided in this section, may engage in any business described in Section 2-15-40 without a permit. Every dealer shall annually, on or before October 1, file an application with the commissioner for a permit to engage in the business. The application shall be made upon forms furnished by the Department of Agriculture and Industries and shall contain such information as may be required. The fee for every permit, except as provided in this section, shall be established by the Board of Agriculture and Industries not to exceed thirty-seven dollars fifty cents ($37.50), which shall be paid to the commissioner and deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the Agricultural Fund. If such permit fee is not paid within 45 days from the date on which the fee is due, a delinquent penalty of 15 percent shall be added.

Every dealer who also engages in the business of transporting or hauling for hire cattle, sheep, goats, or hogs along any public road or highway of Alabama for resale, market, or slaughter shall pay an annual permit fee established by the Board of Agriculture and Industries not to exceed thirty-seven dollars fifty cents ($37.50) for each vehicle used in hauling or transporting such livestock, and the commissioner, under rules promulgated by the Board of Agriculture and Industries, shall issue a suitable permit plate or annual decal for proper identification of each vehicle used by dealers in hauling or transporting livestock for resale, market, or slaughter.

Any dealer who procures a license as a dealer pursuant to the requirements of Article 6 of this chapter and who otherwise complies with the provisions of Article 6 of this chapter shall not be required to obtain the annual permit nor pay the fee therefor as required under this section, but every such dealer shall comply with the other provisions and requirements of this article; provided, that any dealer who is required to procure a license by Article 6 of this chapter who also engages in the business of transporting or hauling for hire cattle, sheep, goats, or hogs along any public road or highway in Alabama shall also be required to procure a permit and pay the fee therefor as required under this section.