# Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.03: Unauthorized use of a vehicle

> Ohio · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.03

## Section

- **Citation:** Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.03
- **Heading:** Unauthorized use of a vehicle
- **Jurisdiction:** Ohio
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Ohio Revised Code / Title 29 / Chapter 2913 / § 2913.03

## Text

September 30, 2011 House Bill 86 - 129th General Assembly (A) No person shall knowingly use or operate an aircraft, motor vehicle, motorcycle, motorboat, or other motor-propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner or person authorized to give consent. (B) No person shall knowingly use or operate an aircraft, motor vehicle, motorboat, or other motor-propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner or person authorized to give consent, and either remove it from this state or keep possession of it for more than forty-eight hours. (C) The following are affirmative defenses to a charge under this section: (1) At the time of the alleged offense, the actor, though mistaken, reasonably believed that the actor was authorized to use or operate the property. (2) At the time of the alleged offense, the actor reasonably believed that the owner or person empowered to give consent would authorize the actor to use or operate the property. (D)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of unauthorized use of a vehicle. (2) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(4) of this section, a violation of division (A) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree. (3) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(4) of this section, a violation of division (B) of this section is a felony of the fifth degree. (4) If the victim of the offense is an elderly person or disabled adult and if the victim incurs a loss as a result of the violation, a violation of division (A) or (B) of this section is whichever of the following is applicable: (a) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(4)(b), (c), or (d) of this section, a felony of the fifth degree; (b) If the loss to the victim is one thousand dollars or more and is less than seven thousand five hundred dollars, a felony of the fourth degree; (c) If the loss to the victim is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more and is less than thirty-seven thousand five hundred dollars, a felony of the third degree; (d) If the loss to the victim is thirty-seven thousand five hundred dollars or more, a felony of the second degree.

## Nearby sections

- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.01 § 2913.01. Theft and fraud general definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.01.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.02 § 2913.02. Theft](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.02.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.03 § 2913.03. Unauthorized use of a vehicle](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.03.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.04 § 2913.04. Unauthorized use of property - computer, cable, or telecommunication property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.04.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.05 § 2913.05. Telecommunications fraud](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.05.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.06 § 2913.06. Unlawful use of telecommunications device](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.06.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.07 § 2913.07. Motion picture piracy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.07.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.08 § 2913.08. Organized theft of retail property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.08.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.11 § 2913.11. Passing bad checks](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.11.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.021 § 2913.021. Theft of mail](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.021.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.21 § 2913.21. Misuse of credit cards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.21.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.30 § 2913.30. Counterfeiting](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.30.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.31 § 2913.31. Forgery - Forging identification cards or selling or distributing forged identification cards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.31.md)
- [Ohio Rev. Code § 2913.32 § 2913.32. Criminal simulation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.32.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_OH_T29_C2913_S2913.03. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.