Auto Theft Laws in Michigan

Michigan law prohibits several acts related to motor vehicle theft, including larceny, joyriding, and carjacking.

What Are the Penalties for Stealing a Vehicle in Michigan?

A person who steals a motor vehicle can be prosecuted under Michigan's larceny statute. To secure a conviction, a prosecutor must establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant took another's vehicle without permission and with the intent of permanently depriving the owner of their vehicle. The penalties for larceny depend on the value of the vehicle.

Misdemeanor Larceny of a Vehicle

For vehicles worth less than $1,000, misdemeanor penalties apply. A person faces up to a year in jail. If the person has a prior larceny conviction, the penalty can bump up to a five-year felony sentence.

Felony Larceny of a Vehicle

Stealing a vehicle worth $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 carries felony penalties of up to five years' prison time and a $10,000 fine. Stealing a vehicle worth more than $20,000 can land a person in prison for up to 10 years.

Theft Spree

Prosecutors can add up the value of property a person steals over a 12-month period if it's part of a scheme or course of conduct. This allows a prosecutor to combine multiple misdemeanor offenses into felony charges or file harsher felony charges based on the combined amount involved.

(Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 750.356, 750.362a (2025); People v. Gilbert, Mich. App. Lexis 3671 (2020).)

What Are the Penalties for Joyriding Offenses?

Michigan divides joyriding-related offenses into two crimes. Unlike motor vehicle larceny, joyriding offenses do not require intent to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle. Rather, the joyrider intends the unauthorized use or taking to be temporary.

Unlawfully Driving Away an Automobile (UDAA)

A person who willfully and unlawfully takes possession of a vehicle and drives or takes it away commits a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. Anyone who assists the offender faces the same punishment. In Michigan, this crime is commonly referred to as unlawfully driving away an automobile (UDAA) or felony joyriding.

Use of a Vehicle Without Authority

The crime of use of a vehicle without authority carries a misdemeanor penalty of up to two years' imprisonment or a $1,500 fine. For a first offense, the court may reduce the punishment to not more than three months' incarceration or a $500 fine. This offense is sometimes referred to as misdemeanor joyriding.

Difference Between UDAA and Use of a Vehicle Without Authority

A prosecutor might charge misdemeanor joyriding (unauthorized use of a vehicle) if the defendant had lawful possession of the vehicle and it was only the defendant's use that was unauthorized. Felony joyriding (UDAA) requires both unlawful possession and driving away. For instance, an employee who has lawful possession of a company car but uses it for personal business could face charges for misdemeanor joyriding. A prosecutor might file felony joyriding charges in a case involving a person who, seeing keys in the next-door neighbor's car, decides to hop in and drive it to a friend's house.

(Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 750.413, 750.414 (2025); People v. Hayward, 338 N.W.2d 549 (Mich. App. 1983); People v. Lerma, 239 N.W.2d 424 (Mich. App. 1976).)

Is It a Felony to Steal a Catalytic Converter in Michigan?

Michigan makes it a felony to steal or unlawfully remove any of the following vehicle parts or items from a vehicle:

• catalytic converter
• wheel or tires
• air bag
• clock, radio, or stereo, or
• telephone, computer, or electronic device.

A conviction can mean up to five years of prison time and a fine up to $10,000.

(Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.356a (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Breaking Into a Vehicle to Steal?

Unlawfully taking property (not listed above) from a vehicle is penalized by the value of the property and carries the same penalties as larceny. If the stolen property is worth less than $1,000, misdemeanor penalties apply. Felony penalties apply when the value of the stolen property is $1,000 or more. Repeat offenders face harsher charges and penalties.

If the defendant damages the vehicle in any way while trying to steal property, they can face a five-year felony plus fines.

(Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.356a (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Carjacking in Michigan?

A person convicted of carjacking faces up to life in prison. In Michigan, a person commits the crime of carjacking by stealing a vehicle by using force, violence, or the threat of force or violence or by placing the driver or any passenger in fear. The law doesn't require that the offender get away with the car. It's enough to do any of these acts in the course of stealing or attempting to steal the vehicle or even while fleeing or attempting to flee from the crime.

(Mich. Comp. Laws. § 750.529a (2025).)

Obtaining Legal Assistance

Any criminal conviction can lead to serious consequences, including time in prison or jail, fines, and a criminal record. If you are accused of or charged with a crime, talk to a criminal defense attorney or public defender as soon as possible. An attorney can help you navigate the criminal justice system and obtain the best possible outcome in your case.