Auto Theft Laws in Minnesota

Minnesota criminalizes motor vehicle theft, joyriding, and failure to return a rental car under its general theft laws. In addition, Minnesota has separate laws that cover stealing catalytic converters, tampering with a vehicle, and carjacking.

How Minnesota Law Defines Motor Vehicle Theft

Minnesota's general theft law covers several vehicle theft-related crimes—auto theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle (joyriding), and failure to return a rental car. The term "motor vehicle" applies to cars, as well as any self-propelled device operated on land, rails or water, or in the air.

Auto Theft

Under Minnesota law, theft occurs when someone takes, uses, or conceals another's property without permission and with the intent to deprive the person of the property permanently. For instance, a person who steals a car intending to keep or sell it, bring it to a chop shop, or abandon it in a shed commits theft. A person also commits theft by altering, removing, or obliterating a vehicle identification number (VIN) or other permanent serial or manufacturer's number to prevent the vehicle's identification.

Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle (Joyriding)

A person who takes or drives another's motor vehicle knowing or having reason to know the owner did not consent can be found guilty of theft, even if the person plans to return the motor vehicle or ditch it somewhere to be found. Unlike many states, this temporary taking—often referred to as joyriding—carries the same statutory penalties as thefts involving a permanent taking (above). It's also a crime to temporarily take someone's vehicle intending to return it only if the owner pays for its return.

Failure to Return a Rental Car

A person who intentionally fails to return rented or leased property, including a rental vehicle, at the end of the contract commits theft. If the person supplied false information in the contract or fails to return the property within five days of receiving a written demand from the leasing agency, the law presumes the person intended to violate this law. The fact that the person initially had the right to possess the property is not a defense in this case.

(Minn. Stat. § 609.52 (2025).)

Is Motor Vehicle Theft a Felony in Minnesota?

Yes. Minnesota makes all vehicle theft crimes felony-level offenses.

Any act of vehicle theft—including joyriding and failure to return a rental car—for vehicles valued at or under $5,000 carries a maximum five-year prison sentence. The maximum penalty increases to a 10-year prison sentence for vehicles valued over $5,000.

While Minnesota statute provides the same maximum penalties for theft and joyriding, Minnesota's Sentencing Guidelines rank the offenses differently. Under the guidelines' rankings, a permanent taking carries a higher possible sentence than a temporary taking (joyriding).

(Minn. Stat. § 609.52 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Stealing Vehicle Parts in Minnesota?

Stealing vehicle parts—such as tires or electronic parts—typically falls under Minnesota's theft laws and can also result in criminal charges for property damage. Minnesota has a separate law that applies to the unlawful possession of a catalytic converter (which doesn't require the prosecutor to prove the elements of theft).

Penalties for Illegally Possessing Catalytic Converters

The penalties for illegally possessing catalytic converters will depend on how many are found in their possession.

• Illegally possessing one catalytic converter is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail.
• Illegally possessing two catalytic converters is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail.
• Illegally possessing three or more catalytic converters is a felony, punishable by up to 5, 10, or 20 years in prison.

A conviction can also result in fines and must include restitution (compensation) to the victim to replace the catalytic converter.

Penalties for Stealing Vehicle Parts

A person who steals vehicle parts can face theft charges based on the value of the stolen property. Property valued at less than $1,000 will be a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor crime, punishable by up to 90 or 364 days of jail time. The offense becomes felony theft if the value of the stolen parts amounts to more than $1,000. A person convicted of felony theft can face up to 5 or 10 years of prison time.

Penalties for Damaging a Vehicle

Typically, stealing parts off a vehicle will result in damage to the vehicle. Like theft, criminal damage to property charges are based on the amount of damage done, which includes the cost of repair and replacement. Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor penalties apply when the damages total less than $1,000. Damages that cost more than $1,000 carry up to five years of prison time.

(Minn. Stat. §§ 325E.21, 609.02, 609.52, 609.595 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Tampering With a Vehicle in Minnesota?

Minnesota law has a separate crime to address illegal acts that don't amount to theft of a vehicle or vehicle parts but do involve unauthorized interference with another's vehicle. Motor vehicle tampering includes intentionally:

• being a passenger in a vehicle knowing it's being driven without permission (going along for a joyride), or
• entering or tampering with a vehicle without permission.

Say a person walks around a parking lot checking for unlocked doors and, upon finding one, opens the door and grabs a purse. In this instance, the person interfered with the vehicle but didn't intend to steal the vehicle. The person intended to steal personal property from the vehicle and could be charged with tampering with a vehicle and theft of the purse (and its contents).

Motor vehicle tampering is a misdemeanor in Minnesota, punishable by a maximum of 90 days' jail time and a $1,000 fine. A third conviction for tampering increases the penalty to a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.

(Minn. Stat. § 609.546 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Carjacking in Minnesota?

When a person steals a vehicle directly from a person (or in their immediate presence), the crime becomes much more serious. Minnesota law carries stiff penalties for any person who commits carjacking. A person commits carjacking by knowingly taking a motor vehicle from another person by force or threat of force. The law divides carjacking into three degrees, all of which are serious felonies.

First-degree carjacking. Armed carjacking and any carjacking resulting in bodily harm is a first-degree offense, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $35,000 fine.

Second-degree carjacking. A person who carjacks another and implies that they are armed commits a second-degree offense. This defendant faces up to 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.

Third-degree carjacking. All other carjacking offenses carry up to 10 years of prison time and a $20,000 fine.

(Minn. Stat. § 609.247 (2025).)

Obtaining Legal Assistance

If you are charged with motor vehicle theft or a related crime, you should talk to a local criminal defense attorney or ask for a public defender. An attorney can explain Minnesota law, answer your questions, and help you present the strongest possible defense.