What constitutes the use of an automobile without authority?

The concept of using an automobile without authority is generally defined by the knowledge and intent behind the use of the vehicle. The correct answer focuses on the element of awareness; specifically, it involves a person using the vehicle while knowing that they do not have permission to do so. This lack of authority clearly establishes that the use is unauthorized, which is a key factor in legal definitions related to vehicle use and ownership.

Using a vehicle with intent to return it may imply a temporary borrowing situation, but if permission wasn’t granted in the first place, it does not inherently negate the unauthorized use. Borrowing a vehicle with verbal consent suggests that permission was granted, thereby making the use authorized rather than unauthorized. Cleaning a vehicle without permission, while potentially considered a form of unauthorized activity, does not specifically address the actual use of the vehicle, focusing instead on an ancillary action. Thus, the direct knowledge of lacking authority is essential in defining the core issue of unauthorized vehicle use, making it the most relevant answer in this context.