Taking conveyance without authority

Taking conveyance without authority

Under section 14(1) of the Theft Ordinance, any person who, without consent of the owner or any lawful authority, takes the conveyance (e.g. a vehicle) for his own or another’s use, or knowing that any conveyance has been taken without such authority, drives it or allows himself to be carried on or in it, shall be guilty of the offence of ‘taking conveyance without authority’. 

This offence does not apply to pedal cycles or rickshaws, but any person who steals such conveyances shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine at level 1 (i.e. $2,000) under section 14(2) of the Theft Ordinance. 

A person does not commit the offence if he had belief that he has lawful authority to do it, or that he would have the owner’s consent if the owner knew about his actions and the circumstances of it. 

The maximum sentence of this offence is 7 years’ imprisonment.