The acceptance by a nonresident of the rights and privileges conferred by the laws in force in this State permitting the operation of motor vehicles, as evidenced by the operation of a motor vehicle by such nonresident on the public highways, the streets of any incorporated municipality or the public roads of this State or anywhere within this State, or the operation by such nonresident of a motor vehicle on any such public highways, streets or public roads or anywhere within the State other than as so permitted or regulated shall be deemed equivalent to the appointment by such nonresident of the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles or of his successor in office to be his true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served all summons or other lawful process in any action or proceeding against him growing out of any accident or collision in which such nonresident may be involved by reason of the operation by him, for him or under his control or direction, express or implied, of a motor vehicle on such public highways, streets or public roads or anywhere within this State. Such acceptance or operation shall be a signification of his agreement that any such process against him shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served on him personally.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-104; 1952 Code Section 46-104; 1949 (46) 342; 1962 (52) 2159; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 264; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 26.
Editor's Note
2003 Act No. 51, Section 18 directed the Code Commissioner to substitute "Department of Motor Vehicles" for "Department of Public Safety".
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 15 - Civil Remedies and Procedures
Chapter 9 - Summonses, Orders Of Publication And Service Of Papers Generally
Section 15-9-15. Affidavit as proof of service by publication.
Section 15-9-17. Service of summons, complaint or other judicial documents on Sunday.
Section 15-9-210. Service of process on domestic corporations.
Section 15-9-220. Service on corporations generally; who is deemed to be agent of railroad.
Section 15-9-230. Service on corporations generally; qualification as to foreign corporations.
Section 15-9-240. Service of process on authorized foreign corporation.
Section 15-9-245. Service of process on foreign corporation not authorized to do business in state.
Section 15-9-250. Service on foreign rural electric cooperatives.
Section 15-9-270. Service on insurance companies.
Section 15-9-280. Service on unauthorized insurer.
Section 15-9-285. Service on unauthorized insurer through service on Chief Insurance Commissioner.
Section 15-9-290. Service on unauthorized insurer; alternative method.
Section 15-9-310. Service on attorney of reciprocal insurance subscribers.
Section 15-9-320. Service on joint-stock companies.
Section 15-9-330. Service on unincorporated associations.
Section 15-9-370. Service on nonresident motor vehicle drivers and motor carriers.
Section 15-9-390. Service on nonresident operators of aircraft.
Section 15-9-415. Service on nonresident vessel operators.
Section 15-9-420. Service on certain traveling shows.
Section 15-9-430. Service on nonresident directors of domestic corporations.
Section 15-9-440. Service on trustees of inter vivos trusts.
Section 15-9-450. Service on nonresident individual fiduciaries.
Section 15-9-460. Service on certain nurserymen.
Section 15-9-710. When service by publication may be had.
Section 15-9-720. Service on unknown parties by publication for certain real property actions.
Section 15-9-730. Service on certain domestic corporations by publication.