Ky. Rev. Stat. » Chapter 514
Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 514.100 (2026)

Unauthorized use of automobile or other propelled vehicle

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) A person is guilty of the unauthorized use of an automobile or other propelled vehicle when he knowingly operates, exercises control over, or otherwise uses such vehicle without consent of the owner or person having legal possession thereof.

(2) Unauthorized use of an automobile or other propelled vehicle is a Class A misdemeanor unless the defendant has previously been convicted of this offense, or of violation of KRS 514.030 for having stolen an automobile or other propelled vehicle in which case it shall be a Class D felony. Effective: July 15, 1980 History: Amended 1980 Ky. Acts ch. 267, sec. 4, effective July 15, 1980. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 126, effective January 1, 1975.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1977–2026 · leading case: Lawson v. Commonwealth, 85 S.W.3d 571 (Ky. 2002).
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Lawson v. Commonwealth, 85 S.W.3d 571 (Ky. 2002). · cites it 8× “KRS 514.100 defines the offense of Unauthorized Use of an Automobile: A person is guilty of the unauthorized use of an automobile or other propelled vehicle when he knowingly operates, exercises control over, or otherwise uses such vehicle without consent of the owner having…”
Luttrell v. Commonwealth, 554 S.W.2d 75 (Ky. 1977). · cites it 2× “010, KRS 514.100. Count one of the indictment alleged: "That on or about the 21st day of December 1975, in Jefferson County, Kentucky, both the named defendants committed the offense of criminal attempt (sic) murder of a police officer by shooting Robert Phillips, a member of…”
Posey v. Commonwealth, 185 S.W.3d 170 (Ky. 2006). · cites it 2× “040, false purchase price information or value on deeds, KRS 387.”
Caldwell v. Commonwealth, 133 S.W.3d 445 (Ky. 2004). · cites it 2× “KRS 514.100 defines the offense of unauthorized use of an automobile: A person is guilty of the unauthorized use of an automobile or other propelled vehicle when he knowingly operates, exercises control over, or otherwise uses such vehicle without consent of the owner having…”
Hayes v. Commonwealth, 698 S.W.2d 827 (Ky. 1985). · cites it 2× “The theft of a vehicle is not complete with the taking or exercising of control because the joy-riding statute, KRS 514.100, may be applicable. However, the continuous exercise of control which occurred in Kentucky is indicative of the distinguishing element of this offense,…”
John Fairley III v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, 527 S.W.3d 792 (Ky. 2017). “He testified that he did not own the gun, he was incarcerated when it was stolen, and he did not realize it was in the car he was sitting in.”
Phelps v. Commonwealth, 125 S.W.3d 237 (Ky. 2004). · cites it 3× “We accepted discretionary review of this case in order to resolve whether juvenile court “adjudications” could properly be deemed “convictions” for the purpose of enhancing such criminal charges as unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (KRS 514.100), carrying a concealed deadly…”
Med. Prot. Co. v. Gregory Duma, 478 F. App'x 977 (6th Cir. 2012). “Lacking such explanation, we compared the statutes at issue in both cases and determined that the Kentucky statute in Wilson, Ky. Rev. Stat. § 514.100(1), was similar enough to the Healthwise statute, Ky.”
Logan v. Commonwealth, 785 S.W.2d 497 (Ky. Ct. App. 1989). “KRS 514.100. A conviction for receipt of stolen property, on the other hand, requires the Commonwealth to prove that the defendant both knew that the property was stolen and intended not to restore it to its owner.”
Keitz (E.D. Ky. 2026). · cites it 2× “After Keitz’s arrest she pleaded guilty in Kenton District Court to unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in violation of KRS § 514.100, license to be in possession in violation of KRS § 186.”
Jeffrey Lee Kolley v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2017). “16 KRS 514.100. 11 RCr 9.54(2). 9 the giving or the failure to give an instruction unless the party's position has been fairly and adequately presented to the trial judge by an offered instruction or by motion, or unless the party makes objection before the court instructs the…”
John Fairley III v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2017). “KRS 514.100(2). This argument misses the mark on palpable error review.”
Show all 17 citing cases →
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 514.100(1) — 2 cases
Lawson v. Commonwealth, 85 S.W.3d 571 (Ky. 2002). “KRS 514.100 defines the offense of Unauthorized Use of an Automobile: A person is guilty of the unauthorized use of an automobile or other propelled vehicle when he knowingly operates, exercises control over, or otherwise uses such vehicle without consent of the owner having…”
Med. Prot. Co. v. Gregory Duma, 478 F. App'x 977 (6th Cir. 2012). “Lacking such explanation, we compared the statutes at issue in both cases and determined that the Kentucky statute in Wilson, Ky. Rev. Stat. § 514.100(1), was similar enough to the Healthwise statute, Ky.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 514.100(2) — 5 cases
John Fairley III v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, 527 S.W.3d 792 (Ky. 2017). “He testified that he did not own the gun, he was incarcerated when it was stolen, and he did not realize it was in the car he was sitting in.”
John Fairley III v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2017). “KRS 514.100(2). This argument misses the mark on palpable error review.”
Mark Johnson v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2023).
Michael Joseph James v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2019).
Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Michael Joseph James (Ky. 2019).
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