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California legal term

unauthorized motor vehicle in California Criminal Law

Current through 2026 California legislative session

In California criminal law, “unauthorized motor vehicle” 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 “unauthorized motor vehicle” mean in California criminal law?

“unauthorized motor vehicle” means any motor vehicle that is driven upon a hiking or horseback riding trail or bicycle path without the written permission of an agent or the owner of the trail or path. (Cal. Vehicle Code § 23127)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.