Wash. Rev. Code » Title 9A · Chapter 9A.56
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.56.070 (2026)

Taking motor vehicle without permission in the first degree

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) A person is guilty of taking a motor vehicle without permission in the first degree if he or she, without the permission of the owner or person entitled to possession, intentionally takes or drives away an automobile or motor vehicle, whether propelled by steam, electricity, or internal combustion engine, that is the property of another, and he or she:
(a) Alters the motor vehicle for the purpose of changing its appearance or primary identification, including obscuring, removing, or changing the manufacturer's serial number or the vehicle identification number plates;
(b) Removes, or participates in the removal of, parts from the motor vehicle with the intent to sell the parts;
(c) Exports, or attempts to export, the motor vehicle across state lines or out of the United States for profit;
(d) Intends to sell the motor vehicle; or
(e) Is engaged in a conspiracy and the central object of the conspiratorial agreement is the theft of motor vehicles for sale to others for profit or is engaged in a conspiracy and has solicited a juvenile to participate in the theft of a motor vehicle.
(2) Taking a motor vehicle without permission in the first degree is a class B felony.
[ 2007 c 199 s 16; 2003 c 53 s 72; 2002 c 324 s 1; 1975 1st ex.s. c 260 s 9A.56.070.]

Notes:

Findings—Intent—Short title—2007 c 199: See notes following RCW 9A.56.065.
Intent—Effective date—2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.
Study and report—2002 c 324: "The sentencing guidelines commission shall study the impact of the sentencing changes in this act upon the incidence of the crime of taking a motor vehicle without permission. By December 2004, the commission shall submit a report to the governor and the legislature. The report shall address:
(1) Whether the creation of the crime of taking a motor vehicle without permission in the first degree and the increased penalties for that new crime have resulted in a reduction in the number of convictions for taking a motor vehicle without permission in the first or second degree; and
(2) Whether there are other actions, either civil or criminal, that could have the effect of further decreasing the incidence of these crimes, including but not limited to: The revocation of driving privileges, double scoring of prior convictions, or increasing penalties for juveniles." [ 2002 c 324 s 4.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 96 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1978–2022 · leading case: State v. Rinier, 609 P.2d 1358 (Wash. 1980).
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State v. Rinier, 609 P.2d 1358 (Wash. 1980). · cites it 14× “020) which was in effect when defendant was convicted in Oregon, provides: (1) Every person who shall without the permission of the owner or person entitled to the possession thereof intentionally take or drive away any automobile or motor vehicle, whether propelled by steam,…”
State v. Pettitt, 609 P.2d 1364 (Wash. 1980). · cites it 11× “*290 Petitioner took a van from a Portland, Oregon, parking lot without permission of the owner and drove north into Lewis County, Washington, where he was arrested for driving while under the influence of intoxicants.”
State v. Clark, 638 P.2d 572 (Wash. 1982). · cites it 21× “Appellant first became acquainted with Dennis Noll, the alleged victim, in August of 1978.”
State v. Crittenden, 189 P.3d 849 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 4× “[12] ¶ 10 RCW 9A.56.070 (the joyriding statute) can be violated by two alternative means.”
State v. Hudson, 784 P.2d 533 (Wash. Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 4× “020(3) and of taking a motor vehicle without permission in violation of RCW 9A.56.070. On this appeal, Hudson challenges the sufficiency of the evidence on both counts.”
State v. Hiett, 115 P.3d 274 (Wash. 2005). · cites it 3× “¶ 3 Hiett and Freilinger were charged with taking a motor vehicle without permission, former RCW 9A.56.070 (1975), recodified as RCW 9A.”
State v. Smith, 610 P.2d 869 (Wash. 1980). · cites it 2× “020; taking of a motor vehicle, RCW 9A.56.070; bigamy, RCW 9A.64.010; incest, RCW 9A.”
State v. McGary, 683 P.2d 1125 (Wash. Ct. App. 1984). · cites it 3× “—Richard McGary was found guilty at a juvenile court fact-finding hearing of taking a motor vehicle without permission, RCW 9A.56.070. He appeals from the disposition order, 1 challenging the sufficiency of the evidence to support the conviction.”
State v. Shipp, 610 P.2d 1322 (Wash. 1980). · cites it 2× “RCW 9A.56.070(1). In the early morning, Chester Van Antwerp was driving a car, in which his girlfriend was riding, when he ran into a parked car.”
State v. Blair, 783 P.2d 102 (Wash. Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 4× “Blair and Sydney Ford appeal their juvenile court convictions of violating RCW 9A.56.070, taking a motor vehicle without permission.”
State v. Watson, 51 P.3d 66 (Wash. 2002). “2 On January 13, 2000 the State filed a second information under a different cause number charging Petitioner with taking a motor vehicle without permission of the owner, Howard Dowell, between November 25 and 26, 1999 in violation of RCW 9A.56.070. 3 Both cases were initially…”
State v. Arndt, 320 P.3d 104 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “¶12 The former Washington statute for taking a motor vehicle without permission requires (1) intentionally taking or driving away a motor vehicle without permission of the owner or person entitled to the possession thereof or (2) voluntarily riding in a motor vehicle with…”
Show all 96 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.56.070(1) — 38 cases
State v. Clark, 638 P.2d 572 (Wash. 1982). “Appellant first became acquainted with Dennis Noll, the alleged victim, in August of 1978.”
State v. Pettitt, 609 P.2d 1364 (Wash. 1980). “*290 Petitioner took a van from a Portland, Oregon, parking lot without permission of the owner and drove north into Lewis County, Washington, where he was arrested for driving while under the influence of intoxicants.”
State v. Shipp, 610 P.2d 1322 (Wash. 1980). “RCW 9A.56.070(1). In the early morning, Chester Van Antwerp was driving a car, in which his girlfriend was riding, when he ran into a parked car.”
State v. Crittenden, 189 P.3d 849 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “[12] ¶ 10 RCW 9A.56.070 (the joyriding statute) can be violated by two alternative means.”
State v. Olson, 735 P.2d 1362 (Wash. Ct. App. 1987).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.56.070(2) — 4 cases
State v. Walker, 879 P.2d 957 (Wash. Ct. App. 1994).
Jong Choon Lee v. Hamilton, 785 P.2d 1156 (Wash. Ct. App. 1990).
State Of Washington, V Sopheap Chith (Wash. Ct. App. 2017).
State Of Washington, V John T. Tyler (Wash. Ct. App. 2018).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.56.070(2)(a) — 3 cases
State v. Tewee, 309 P.3d 791 (Wash. Ct. App. 2013).
State v. Keigan C., 86 P.3d 798 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004).
State v. Keigan C., 120 Wash. App. 604 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004).
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