Is a Riding Lawn Mower Considered a Vehicle?

Posted Tuesday, October 11, 2016 by Andrew Charles Huff

Is a lawnmower considered a motor vehicle? This question recently appeared before our Court of Appeals when considering the motor vehicle theft statute.

A couple recently had their Craftsman, gas-powered self-propelled riding lawnmower stolen near Leavenworth. The defendant was immediately caught and subsequently charged with Theft of a Motor Vehicle.

But the issue that came up was whether a riding lawnmower is considered a “vehicle” under this theft statute. It’s clear that an item was in fact stolen, but was it legally considered a “vehicle”? The Court said no, it was not. The defendant could be charged with another theft crime, but under the applicable statute not of a “motor vehicle.”