§200.8. Appointment of secretary of state as agent to receive service of process

A. The acceptance by an owner of a public carrier vehicle or vehicles, of a certificate issued by the duly designated authority of a municipality or parish, shall be deemed appointment, by such owner, of the secretary of state of Louisiana, to be his true and lawful attorney for service of process, upon whom may be served all lawful process, whether issued out of a court or by other lawful authority, in any action or proceeding involving such owner by reason of the ownership, operation, maintenance or use of such vehicle or vehicles upon any street; and acceptance of such certificate shall constitute agreement by such owner that any such process against him so served shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served on him personally.

B. When any process or pleadings are served upon the secretary of state, it shall be by duplicate copies, one of which shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state and the other immediately forwarded by the secretary of state by registered or certified mail or by commercial courier as defined in R.S. 13:3204(D), when the person to be served is located outside of this state to the address shown on such certificate of such owner against whom the process and pleadings are directed. The secretary of state shall note on the copy retained the date, the manner and other particulars of service, and disposition of the forwarded copy.

C. To facilitate service of process on such owners, the duly designated authority of each municipality and parish shall make and deliver in January of each year to the secretary of state, printed or typed certified lists giving in alphabetical order, the full names and addresses of all owners of public carrier vehicles holding valid certificates issued by said authority.

Added by Acts 1962, No. 404, §1; Acts 1999, No. 395, §5; Acts 2012, No. 544, §4.