If any vehicle is found in violation of any provision of this article and the driver thereof is not present, the owner or person in whose name such vehicle is registered in the records of any city, county or state shall be responsible for such violation when such vehicle was being used with permission. Proof of the ownership as aforesaid shall be prima facie evidence that such vehicle with absent driver was being operated with permission of the owner.

(Code 1964, § 12.770)