25-3-603. Operation of vehicle by agent. The operation by any person, by himself or his agent, of any motor vehicle, whether registered or unregistered and with or without a license to operate, on any public way in this state shall be deemed equivalent to an appointment by such person of the secretary of state or his successor in office to be his true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served all lawful processes in any action or proceeding against him growing out of an accident or collision in which he or his agent may be involved while operating a motor vehicle on any public way in this state; and such operation shall be a signification of an agreement by such person that any such process against him which is served upon the secretary of state or his successor in office shall be of the same force and validity as if served upon him personally. This section shall not apply in case of any cause of action, for the service of process in which provision is made by 25-3-602, nor shall it authorize service of process upon any person who may with due diligence be found and personally served with process within the state of Montana.

     History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 10, L. 1937; R.C.M. 1947, 53-203.