California legal term
Motor vehicle master key in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Motor vehicle master key” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “Motor vehicle master key” mean in California criminal law?
“Motor vehicle master key” means a key which will operate all the locks or ignition switches, or both the locks and ignition switches, in a given group of motor vehicle locks or motor vehicle ignition switches, or both motor vehicle locks and motor vehicle ignition switches, each of which can be operated by a key which will not operate one or more of the other locks or ignition switches in such group. (Cal. Penal Code § 466.5)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.