N.C. Gen. Stat. » Chapter 14
NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72.2 (2026)

Unauthorized use of a motor-propelled conveyance

✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) A person is guilty of an offense under this section if, without the express or implied consent of the owner or person in lawful possession, he takes or operates an aircraft, motorboat, motor vehicle, or other motor-propelled conveyance of another.

(b) Unauthorized use of an aircraft is a Class H felony. All other unauthorized use of a motor-propelled conveyance is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

(c) Unauthorized use of a motor-propelled conveyance shall be a lesser-included offense of unauthorized use of an aircraft.

(d) As used in this section, "owner" means any person with a property interest in the motor-propelled conveyance. (1973, c. 1330, s. 38; 1977, c. 919; 1979, c. 760, s. 5; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1316, s. 47; 1981, c. 63, s. 1, c. 179, s. 14; 1993, c. 539, ss. 36, 1166; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 28 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1975–2026 · leading case: In Re Allison, 547 S.E.2d 169 (N.C. Ct. App. 2001).
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In Re Allison, 547 S.E.2d 169 (N.C. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 10× “was again adjudicated delinquent on 11 December 1998 for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72.2 (1993). A motion to review L.”
State v. Nickerson, 701 S.E.2d 685 (N.C. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 24× “The crime of “[unauthorized use of a motor-propelled conveyance” is defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72.2 (a): “[a] person is guilty of an offense under this section if, without the express or implied consent of the owner or person in lawful possession, he takes or operates an…”
State v. Bullock, 785 S.E.2d 746 (N.C. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “Depending on what his data base checks revealed, Officer McDonough might have an individual who was in violation of several motor vehicle laws, N.C. Gen.Stat. § 14-72.2 (unauthorized use of motor-propelled conveyance) or even N.”
State v. Graham, 233 S.E.2d 615 (N.C. Ct. App. 1977). · cites it 7× “The new section, which now appears in the General Statutes as G.S. 14-72.2, is as follows: “§ H-72.2 Unauthorized me of a conveyance.”
State v. Robinson, 777 S.E.2d 755 (N.C. 2015). · cites it 6× “” N.C.G.S. § 14-72.2(a) (2013). The statute proscribing unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle provides: Any person who, with intent to procure or pass title to a vehicle which he knows or has reason to believe has been stolen or unlawfully taken, receives or transfers…”
In re A.N.C., 750 S.E.2d 835 (N.C. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 4× “§ 20-7 (a), and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72.2 were filed. On 15 December 2011, the petitions that had been filed against Andrew came on for hearing before the trial court.”
State v. Ross, 264 S.E.2d 742 (N.C. Ct. App. 1980). · cites it 4× “Although the legislature did not expressly so state, we find it intended N.C.G.S. 14-72.2(a) to be a lesser included offense of N.”
State v. Nickerson, 715 S.E.2d 845 (N.C. 2011). · cites it 3× “” N.C.G.S. § 14-72.2(a) (2009). Both offenses concern personal property.”
Belasco v. Nationwide Mut. Ins., 326 S.E.2d 109 (N.C. Ct. App. 1985). · cites it 5× “20-105, and its replacement, G.S. 14-72.2, which made it a crime for one to operate a vehicle without the owner’s consent.”
State v. Coward, 283 S.E.2d 536 (N.C. Ct. App. 1981). · cites it 4× “Defendant assigns as error the failure of the trial judge to submit to the jury the offense of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72.2 (a), as a lesser included offense.”
State v. Watson, 634 S.E.2d 231 (N.C. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 2× “” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72.2 (a) (2005). The unauthorized use of a motor vehicle is a lesser included offense of larceny where there is evidence to support the charge.”
State v. Robinson, 763 S.E.2d 178 (N.C. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72.2 (a) (2013). “One of the essential elements of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle is the taking or operating of a motor vehicle without having formed an intent to permanently deprive the owner thereof.”
Show all 28 citing cases →
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72.2(a) — 9 cases
State v. Robinson, 777 S.E.2d 755 (N.C. 2015). “” N.C.G.S. § 14-72.2(a) (2013). The statute proscribing unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle provides: Any person who, with intent to procure or pass title to a vehicle which he knows or has reason to believe has been stolen or unlawfully taken, receives or transfers…”
State v. Nickerson, 715 S.E.2d 845 (N.C. 2011). “” N.C.G.S. § 14-72.2(a) (2009). Both offenses concern personal property.”
State v. Ross, 264 S.E.2d 742 (N.C. Ct. App. 1980). “Although the legislature did not expressly so state, we find it intended N.C.G.S. 14-72.2(a) to be a lesser included offense of N.”
Belasco v. Nationwide Mut. Ins., 326 S.E.2d 109 (N.C. Ct. App. 1985). “20-105, and its replacement, G.S. 14-72.2, which made it a crime for one to operate a vehicle without the owner’s consent.”
United States v. Wilson, 995 F. Supp. 2d 455 (W.D.N.C. 2014).
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