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 South Carolina, the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, commonly referred to as joyriding, is addressed under the state's criminal statutes. Unlike theft or grand larceny, where the intent to permanently deprive the owner of their property must be proven, for a charge of unauthorized use, the prosecution does not need to establish this intent. The crime focuses on the use or operation of a vehicle without the owner's consent. South Carolina law considers it a misdemeanor to use a motor vehicle without permission, and the penalties can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the circumstances of the offense and the offender's criminal history. The specific statutes and penalties can be found in the South Carolina Code of Laws, particularly within the sections dealing with larceny, theft, and related offenses.