Washington statute
RCW 9A.56.070 — Taking motor vehicle without permission in the first degree
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 9A.56: Theft And Robbery, Revised Code of Washington.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of RCW 9A.56.070
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official text of the Revised Code of Washington from the Code Reviser's published files; it is not the official statutes of the State of Washington.
(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.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is taking motor vehicle without permission in the first degree a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
Taking motor vehicle without permission in the first degree is a Class B Felony in Washington under RCW 9A.56.070.
Which Washington statute covers taking motor vehicle without permission in the first degree?
Taking motor vehicle without permission in the first degree is governed by RCW 9A.56.070 (Taking motor vehicle without permission in the first degree).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.