In civil actions in which service of process may be obtained under the provision of sections 506.200 to 506.310, 506.330, or 506.340, RSMo, service of process may be made as provided in Rule 54.14 or Rule 54.15 or Rule 54.16.
Rule 54.08.Service on Nonresident Motorists or Nonresident Watercraft Owners or Operators.
Part I · Rule 54: Issuance and Service of Summons or Other Process · Last amended January 1, 2000 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceFor civil actions where Missouri statutes allow service on nonresident motorists or nonresident watercraft owners or operators, service of process may be made under Rule 54.14, Rule 54.15, or Rule 54.16.
Full Text of Rule 54.08
Amendment History
Adopted Jan. 19, 1973, eff. Sept. 1, 1973. Amended June 1, 1993, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; May 27, 1999, eff. Jan. 1, 2000.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 54.08 does not itself create jurisdiction over nonresident motorists or watercraft owners and operators — that comes from the Missouri statutes it cross-references, sections 506.200 through 506.310, 506.330, and 506.340, RSMo. What Rule 54.08 does is tell practitioners which service methods apply once those statutes make service possible.
In actions covered by those statutes, service of process may be made as provided in Rule 54.14, which governs personal service outside the state, Rule 54.15, which governs service on the secretary of state, the secretary of the public service commission, or the director of insurance, or Rule 54.16, which governs acknowledgment of service by mail. Having three available routes gives plaintiffs flexibility in how they reach a nonresident motorist or watercraft operator once the underlying statute authorizes the claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What defendants does Rule 54.08 cover?
Nonresident motorists and nonresident watercraft owners or operators, in civil actions where service of process is authorized under sections 506.200 to 506.310, 506.330, or 506.340, RSMo.
Which service methods are available under Rule 54.08?
Service may be made as provided in Rule 54.14 (personal service outside the state), Rule 54.15 (service on the secretary of state, secretary of the public service commission, or director of insurance), or Rule 54.16 (acknowledgment of service by mail).
Does Rule 54.08 itself establish the basis for jurisdiction over a nonresident motorist?
No, the jurisdictional basis comes from the cross-referenced Missouri statutes; Rule 54.08 addresses which service methods apply once those statutes permit the action.
Can a plaintiff choose among the three service methods listed?
The rule lists Rule 54.14, Rule 54.15, and Rule 54.16 as the available methods, giving the party serving process more than one route to reach the defendant.
Does this rule apply to watercraft accidents the same way it applies to auto accidents?
Yes, the rule covers both nonresident motorists and nonresident watercraft owners or operators under the same set of service methods.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Missouri State & Federal Court Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Missouri. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: nonresident motorist servicewatercraft owner serviceservice on nonresident driverout of state service methods