Section 11403 Of Chapter 2.5. Registration Services From California Vehicle Code >> Division 5. >> Chapter 2.5.
11403
. (a) A license to conduct a registration service, or a
renewal of that license, shall not be issued to any applicant unless
the applicant files with the department an instrument, in writing, in
which the applicant appoints the director as the agent of the
applicant upon whom all process may be served in any action which may
be commenced against the applicant arising out of any claim for
damages by any person by reason of the violation by the applicant of
any provision of this code in connection with the registration
service or any condition of the registration service's bond.
(b) The applicant shall agree in the instrument that any process
directed to the applicant, when personal service of process upon the
applicant cannot be made in this state after due diligence and, in
that case, is served upon the director or, in the event of the
director's absence from the office, upon any employee in charge of
the office of the director, is of the same force and effect as if
served upon the applicant personally.
(c) The applicant shall further agree, in writing, that the agency
created by the instrument shall continue during the period covered
by any license that may be issued and so long thereafter as the
applicant may be required to answer in damages for a violation of
this code in connection with the registration service or any
condition of the bond.
(d) The instrument appointing the director as the agent for the
applicant for service of process shall be acknowledged by the
applicant before a notary public.
(e) If the registration service is served with process by service
upon the director, one copy of the summons and complaint shall be
left with the director or in the director's office in Sacramento or
mailed to the office of the director in Sacramento. A fee of five
dollars ($5) shall also be paid to the director at the time of
service of the copy of the summons and complaint.
(f) Service on the director is a sufficient service on the
registration service if a notice of service and a copy of the summons
and complaint are immediately sent by registered mail by the
plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney to the registration service. A
copy of the summons and complaint shall also be mailed by the
plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney to the surety on the
registration service's bond at the address of the surety given in the
bond, postpaid and registered with request for return receipt.
(g) The director shall keep a record of all process served on the
director pursuant to this section, which shall show the day and hour
of service, and shall retain the summons and complaint so served on
file.
(h) If the registration service is served with process by service
upon the director, the registration service has 30 days from the date
of that service within which to answer any complaint or other
pleading which may be filed in the cause.
(i) For purposes of venue, if the registration service is served
with process by service upon the director, the service is deemed to
have been made upon the registration service in the county in which
the registration service has, or last had, its principal place of
business.