Which elements must be proven for the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle?

For the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, the essential element that must be proven is the act of taking the vehicle without the owner's permission. Joyriding falls under this category, as it typically involves someone using a vehicle for personal enjoyment without the consent of the owner. This element establishes the crux of the offense, which is the unauthorized assumption of control over someone else's property.

The other choices do not represent necessary elements for proving unauthorized use. Legal possession or having a driver's license does not negate the act of unauthorized usage. Similarly, returning the vehicle within a certain timeframe does not absolve the individual of the initial act of taking the vehicle without permission. In essence, the primary legal focus is on whether the individual had the right or permission to use the vehicle at all.