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 Vermont, the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, commonly referred to as 'joyriding,' is a criminal offense under Vermont Statutes. This crime is distinct from theft or grand larceny of a vehicle in that the state does not need to prove an intent to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle. Instead, the focus is on the unauthorized use itself. Vermont law typically addresses this issue in its criminal statutes, where it outlines the penalties for operating a vehicle without the owner's consent. The specific statute that may be applicable is 23 V.S.A. § 1094, which deals with the operation without the owner's consent. The penalties for unauthorized use can include fines, imprisonment, or both, and may vary depending on the circumstances of the offense, such as prior convictions or the value of the vehicle used without permission.