Auto Theft Laws in Kentucky

Every state has its own laws regarding motor vehicle theft, including joyriding, carjacking, and related offenses. In Kentucky, most of these offenses are felonies.

Is It a Felony to Steal a Car in Kentucky?

Kentucky's general theft statute makes it a crime to take someone else's property–including a vehicle or its parts–without permission. In most cases, stealing a vehicle is a felony in Kentucky because the offense level is based on the value of the stolen property.

Class C felony. If the stolen vehicle is worth more than $10,000, the penalty is a Class C felony, punishable by 5 to 10 years in prison.

Class D felony. A defendant who steals a vehicle worth between $1,000 and $10,000 will face a Class D felony, punishable by one to five years in prison.

Felony fines can go as high as $10,000 or double the gain from the offense.

Kentucky law allows prosecutors to combine multiple thefts committed by a defendant within a one-year span into a single charge and add up their value. This means stealing multiple low-value cars can quickly add up to a Class C felony.

(Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 514.010, 514.030, 534.030 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Receiving a Stolen Vehicle in Kentucky?

The same penalties for auto theft apply to anyone who knowingly takes possession of the stolen vehicle. So, it would be a felony to take possession of a stolen vehicle worth more than $1,000. Taking possession of a stolen vehicle or any of its parts worth less than $1,000 is a misdemeanor.

It's also a crime to knowingly:

• alter a VIN or any serial number of a vehicle or its parts, or
• possess a vehicle or a part knowing the VIN or serial number was altered.

For these crimes, felony penalties apply when the value of the vehicle or its part is worth more than $500.

(Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 514.110, 514.120 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Joyriding in Kentucky?

A person commits the crime of joyriding—called unauthorized use of an automobile in Kentucky—by operating or using a vehicle without the permission of the car's owner or operator. Joyriding differs from auto theft in its intent: Joyriding involves a temporary taking, while theft involves a permanent taking. For example, say a teenager takes a school bus for a spin around town without permission. Even though he returns the bus without any damage, the teen has committed a joyriding offense.

For a first joyriding offense, a defendant faces a Class A misdemeanor and up to a year in jail. If the person has prior convictions for joyriding or vehicle theft, the penalty bumps up to a Class D felony, punishable by one to five years in prison.

(Ky. Rev. Stat. § 514.100 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Carjacking in Kentucky?

A person who uses or threatens to use force against another to steal a vehicle commits a Class B felony and faces 10 to 20 years in prison. Anyone convicted of carjacking will be considered a "violent offender" in Kentucky and must serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for probation or parole. Probation isn't an option at all if the carjacker had a firearm.

(Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 439.3401, 515.040, 533.060 (2025).)

Getting Legal Assistance

If you are charged with motor vehicle theft, joyriding, or any other crime, talk to a private criminal defense attorney or public defender. A lawyer can tell you what to expect in court, based on the charges and the assigned judge and prosecutor. Hopefully, with an attorney's help, you can obtain the best possible outcome in your case.