The registration and license fee for a motor vehicle or for any lawful combination of motor vehicles used for the transportation of property must be based upon the registered gross weight of the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles. The minimum gross weight for which the motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles can be licensed is double the unloaded weight of the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles and, subject to the minimum, the owner of any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in the application for license shall set out the gross weight for which the owner desires a license. The gross weight of any trailer, semitrailer, or farm trailer may not be included in the minimum gross weight for which a vehicle must be licensed when the vehicle or combination of vehicles is not for hire and when the gross weight of the trailer, semitrailer, or farm trailer being towed does not exceed twenty-four thousand pounds [10886.22 kilograms].