The unlawful taking or unlawful driving of a vehicle, also known as “joyriding,” falls under Vehicle Code Section 10851 and is a lesser offense than grand theft auto. Although it is also, technically, a wobbler offense, it is typically charged as a misdemeanor for first-time offenders. You may be charged with joyriding instead of grand theft auto if you only intended to take the car for a short period of time. There is no minimum length of time for which you have to unlawfully take or drive a vehicle in order to be charged with joyriding, even if the period of time is very short.