§ 10502 Stolen Vehicle Reporting Requirements

Vehicle Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says if your car gets stolen or taken without permission, you can tell the police. But if someone you trusted took it, you need a warrant first.

Key Takeaways

•If your car is stolen, you can report it to the police right away.
•If someone you trusted took your car, you need a warrant before reporting it.
•You must tell the police if you get your car back after reporting it stolen.

Example

You lend your car to a friend, but they refuse to give it back.

You can't just report it stolen—you need to get a warrant first to prove they took it without permission.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 10502 Stolen Vehicle Reporting Requirements

(a) The owner or legal owner of a vehicle registered under this code which has been stolen or embezzled may notify the Department of the California Highway Patrol of the theft or embezzlement, but in the event of an embezzlement other than an embezzlement as specified in Section 10855, may make the report only after having procured the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of the person charged with the embezzlement. (b) Every owner or legal owner who has given any notice under subdivision (a) shall notify the Department of the California Highway Patrol of a recovery of the vehicle. (Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 290, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1993.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

stolen embezzled Department of the California Highway Patrol arrest warrant Section 10855

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 10502.

§ 10502 Stolen Vehicle Reporting Requirements

Vehicle Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 10502 Stolen Vehicle Reporting Requirements

This law says if your car gets stolen or taken without permission, you can tell the police. But if someone you trusted took it, you need a warrant first.

Key Takeaways

•If your car is stolen, you can report it to the police right away.
•If someone you trusted took your car, you need a warrant before reporting it.
•You must tell the police if you get your car back after reporting it stolen.

Example

You lend your car to a friend, but they refuse to give it back.

You can't just report it stolen—you need to get a warrant first to prove they took it without permission.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 10502 Stolen Vehicle Reporting Requirements

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

stolen embezzled Department of the California Highway Patrol arrest warrant Section 10855

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 10502.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References