Auto Theft Laws in Missouri

Missouri imposes felony penalties for stealing a car, carjacking, and, sometimes, joyriding. A person who breaks into a vehicle can face additional charges.

What Are the Penalties for Grand Theft Auto in Missouri?

Missouri's general theft statute makes it illegal to take someone else's property—including a motor vehicle or catalytic converter—without their permission. To be convicted of motor vehicle theft, the defendant must have taken another's vehicle (1) without the owner's consent or by means of deceit or coercion and (2) with the purpose of depriving the owner of the vehicle.

Stealing a Vehicle

In Missouri, stealing a motor vehicle is a class D felony. Penalties include a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to seven years, or both. If the car is worth $25,000 or more, class C felony penalties may apply. Class C felonies carry 3 to 10 years of possible prison time.

If the defendant steals a motor vehicle and has two prior stealing-related convictions within the past 10 years, the penalty increases to a class B felony. The penalty for such an offense is imprisonment ranging from 5 to 15 years.

Stealing a Catalytic Converter

A person who steals a catalytic converter in Missouri faces a class E felony, punishable by up to four years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

(Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.002, 558.011, 570.030 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Tampering With a Motor Vehicle (Joyriding) in Missouri?

Missouri's law prohibiting tampering with another's property covers acts commonly referred to as joyriding. Tampering means to knowingly receive, possess, sell, or unlawfully operate or ride in a motor vehicle without the owner's consent.

To secure a conviction, the prosecution only needs to prove the defendant was driving or even simply riding in a vehicle without permission from the owner. Tampering differs from stealing in that it doesn't require intent to permanently deprive the owner of their vehicle.

Tampering With a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree

The driver in the joyriding situation commits tampering in the first degree, a class D felony, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to seven years, or both.

Tampering With a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree

A passenger can also face charges in this situation. Unlawfully riding in another's vehicle falls under tampering in the second degree, which is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. However, if the person has a prior conviction for this offense or for stealing a motor vehicle, the penalty bumps up to a class D felony.

(Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.002, 558.011, 569.080, 569.090 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Vehicle Hijacking (Carjacking) in Missouri?

An individual commits the offense of vehicle hijacking (also known as carjacking) when they knowingly use or threaten to use physical force on another person in order to take or try to take control of a motor vehicle from another person.

Vehicle Hijacking Involving Weapons, Injuries, or a Child

A defendant who commits vehicle hijacking under the following circumstances can be charged with a class A felony, punishable by imprisonment ranging from 10 to 30 years or life imprisonment. The defendant or another participant in the offense:

• causes serious physical injury to any person in immediate possession, control, or presence of the vehicle
• is armed with a deadly weapon
• uses or threatens to use a dangerous instrument against any person
• displays or threatens to use what appears to be a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or
• seizes or attempts to seize a vehicle, in which a child or special victim is present.

All Other Vehicle Hijackings

In all other instances, vehicle hijacking is a class B felony, punishable by imprisonment ranging from five to 15 years.

(Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011, 570.027 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Breaking Into a Vehicle in Missouri?

A person who breaks into a car intending to steal items will face felony charges if they cause any damage. Missouri considers this offense to be a class D felony for property damage in the first degree for a first offense and a class B felony for repeat offenses.

If the person steals anything from the vehicle (vehicle parts or items inside), theft charges would also apply. Stealing property worth $750 or more is a class D felony.

(Mo. Rev. Stat. § 569.100 (2025).)

Talk to a Lawyer

If you've been arrested for motor vehicle theft or a related offense in Missouri, talk to a criminal defense attorney or public defender right away.