49 U.s.c. 503

§ 503

TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION

Section 502

49 U.S. Code

(a), (b) .........

12(1)(a) (1st sentence, 2d sentence,
and last sentence words before 1st
semicolon).
304(a) (matter before (1)), (6), (7) (less
words after semicolon).
305(f).
12(1)(a) (last sentence words after last
semicolon), (2), (3).
305(d) (related to Commission subpena power).
12(4).
305(d) (related to depositions taken
by Commission).
12(5), (6).
305(d) (related to depositions taken
by Commission).
12(7).
18(1) (last sentence).
305(d) (related to depositions taken
by Commission).

(c) ................
(d) ................

(e)(1)–(3) ......
(e)(4) and (5)
(f) ................

Revised
Section
10321
10321
11502
10321
10321
10321
10321
10321
10321
10321
10321
10321

See the revision notes for the revised sections for an
explanation of changes made in the text. Changes not
accounted for in those revision notes are as follows:
The text of 49:305(a)–(c), (e), and (g)–(j) is not included
for motor carriers of migrant workers and motor private carriers because those provisions, while included
in the enumeration in 49:304(a)(3) and (3a), are not included in the specific enumeration of 49:1655(f)(2)(B)(ii).
In subsection (b), the text of 49:12(1)(a) (2d sentence
words after semicolon) is omitted as unnecessary because the Secretary of Transportation already has authority under chapter 3 of the revised title to make recommendations to Congress.
In subsections (c)–(f), the text of 49:304(a)(3) (last sentence 1st–7th words) and (3a) (last sentence 1st–5th
words) is omitted as executed.
In subsection (c), the words ‘‘economic and’’ are
omitted as not being transferred to the Secretary. The
text of 49:305(f) (last sentence) is omitted as not applicable to this chapter.
In subsection (d), the reference to joint boards in
49:305(d) is omitted as not applicable to this chapter because 49:305(a) (establishing joint boards) is not included in the specific enumeration of 49:1655(f)(2)(B)(ii).

mail, the date of mailing is considered to be the
time when the notice is served. If the carrier
does not have a designated agent, service may
be made by posting a copy of the notice in the
office of the secretary or clerk of the authority
having jurisdiction to regulate transportation
by motor vehicle in intrastate commerce on the
highways of the State in which the carrier
maintains headquarters and with the Secretary.
(c) Each of those carriers, including such a
carrier operating in the United States while providing transportation between places in a foreign country or between a place in one foreign
country and a place in another foreign country,
shall designate an agent in each State in which
it operates by name and post office address on
whom process issued by a court with subject
matter jurisdiction may be served in an action
brought against that carrier. The designation
shall be in writing and filed with the Secretary
and with the authority of each State in which
the carrier operates having jurisdiction to regulate transportation by motor vehicle in intrastate commerce on the highways of that State.
If a designation under this subsection is not
made, service may be made on any agent of the
carrier in that State. The designation may be
changed at any time in the same manner as
originally made.
(Pub. L. 97–449, § 1(b), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2432.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised
Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

503 .............

49:304(a)(3) (last sentence) (related to
‘‘Sec. 321’’).

Feb. 4, 1887, ch. 104, 24 Stat.
379, § 204(a)(3) (last sentence) (related to ‘‘Sec.
221’’); added Aug. 9, 1935,
ch. 498, 49 Stat. 546.
Feb. 4, 1887, ch. 104, 24 Stat.
379, § 204(a)(3a) (last sentence) (related to ‘‘Sec.
221’’); added Aug. 3, 1956,
ch. 905, § 2, 70 Stat. 958.
Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670,
§ 6(e)(6)(D)
(related
to
‘‘Sec. 221(a), (c)’’), 80 Stat.
940.

49:304(a)(3a) (last
sentence) (related
to ‘‘Sec. 321’’).

PUB. L. 103–272
Section 4(j)(12) amends 49:502(e)(2) and 10321(d)(3) to
reflect the change in the name of United States magistrates to United States magistrate judges made by
section 321 of the Judicial Improvements Act of 1990
(Public Law 101–650, 104 Stat. 5117).
AMENDMENTS
1994—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 103–272 inserted ‘‘judge’’
after ‘‘United States magistrate’’.

§ 503. Service of notice and process on certain
motor carriers of migrant workers and on
motor private carriers
(a) Each motor carrier of migrant workers (except a motor contract carrier) and each motor
private carrier shall designate an agent by name
and post office address on whom service of notices in a proceeding before, and actions of, the
Secretary of Transportation may be made. The
designation shall be in writing and filed with
the Secretary. The carrier also shall file the designation with the authority of each State in
which it operates having jurisdiction to regulate
transportation by motor vehicle in intrastate
commerce on the highways of that State. The
designation may be changed at any time in the
same manner as originally made.
(b) A notice of the Secretary to a carrier under
this section is served personally or by mail on
that carrier or its designated agent. Service by
mail on the designated agent is made at the address filed for the agent. When notice is given by

Page 82

49:1655(e)(6)(D) (related to ‘‘Sec.
321(a), (c)’’).

The section is included because 49:1655(e)(6)(D) transferred to the Secretary of Transportation all functions,
powers, and duties of the Interstate Commerce Commission under 49:321(a) and (c) to the extent those subsections relate to motor carriers of migrant workers
and motor private carriers. The powers of the Commission have been codified in subtitle IV of the revised
title. The comparable provisions of title 49 that are represented by the section may be found as follows:
Section 503
(a), (b) .........
(c) ................

49 U.S. Code
321(a).
321(c).

Revised
Section
10329
10330

See the revision notes for the revised sections for an
explanation of changes made in the text. Changes not
accounted for in those revision notes are as follows:
In the section, the words ‘‘motor carriers’’ are omitted because 49:1655(e)(6)(D) applies 49:321(a) and (c) only
to motor carriers of migrant workers, other than motor
contract carriers, and to motor private carriers, and
49:1655(f)(2)(B)(ii) contains no reference to 49:321. The
text of 49:321(b) and (d) is not included because those
provisions, while included in the enumeration in
49:304(a)(3) and (3a), are not included in the specific
enumeration of 49:1655(e)(6)(D).
In subsection (b), the text of 49:321(a) (less 1st–5th
sentences) is omitted as not applicable to this chapter.