Each owner, required by this subtitle to register his motor vehicle or motor cycle, who has a residence outside of the state shall file with the commissioner a duly executed instrument, constituting the commissioner and his successors in office his true and lawful attorney upon whom all original process in any action or legal proceeding against him, caused by the operation of his registered motor vehicle or motor cycle in this state, may be served, and shall agree therein that any original process against him which is so served shall have the same force and effect as if served on himself in this state. Service of the process shall be made by leaving a copy thereof in the commissioner’s office with a service fee of two dollars, to be taxed on the plaintiff‘s costs of suit. The commissioner shall forthwith notify such owner of the service by registered letter directed to him at the post-office address stated in his application for registration.