What is Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle?
Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle occurs when a person operates a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. It is also referred to as “joyriding,” and often occurs when a teen takes a vehicle without their parent’s permission. This statute is different from the general theft statute because, with this type of offense, the offender intends to return the vehicle to its rightful owner. As a result, the level of offense is not driven by the value of the vehicle that was taken.