§2.10 Where Service Made

Service must be made within California, with these exceptions [CCP §116.340(e)]:

• If a nonresident owner or operator of a motor vehicle is involved in an accident within California: The owner or operator may be served outside California under VC §§17450 et seq, without regard to whether the defendant was a nonresident at the time of the accident or when the claim was filed. “Service” means serving both the director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles and the defendant, and may be made by any of the methods described above [see §§2.08 et seq] or by registered mail as authorized by VC §§17454 and 17455. [CCP §116.340(g).]
  
  
• If the owner of record of California real property resides in another state: An owner who has no lawfully designated agent in California for service of process may be served outside California by any of the methods described above [see §§2.08 et seq] if the claim relates to that property. [CCP §116.340(f).]