It is a criminal offense to use or operate a motor vehicle, boat, airplane, motorcycle, or other motor-propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner or other person authorized to give consent. This crime is generally known as (1) unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, (2) unauthorized use of a vehicle, or (3) joyriding.

The difference between this crime and the crime of theft is that the state does not have to prove a person charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle intended to keep the vehicle or permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle.

Laws regarding the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle vary from state to state and are generally found in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code or the vehicle code.

In Pennsylvania, the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle is addressed under Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically in Section 3928, which covers the offense of unauthorized use of automobiles and other vehicles. This statute makes it a criminal offense to operate any automobile, motorcycle, motorboat, or other motor-propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner. The key distinction between this crime and vehicle theft (grand theft auto) is that for unauthorized use, the prosecution does not need to prove the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle. Unauthorized use is typically considered a lesser offense than theft and is often treated as a misdemeanor, whereas vehicle theft is usually a felony, reflecting the more serious nature of the intent to permanently take the vehicle. Penalties for unauthorized use of a vehicle in Pennsylvania can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the circumstances and any prior offenses.