How to Steal a Car in Grand Theft Auto

Last Updated: June 3, 2021

Grand Theft Auto is one of the only places in the world where you are encouraged to steal a car. They are the main means of transportation in any Grand Theft Auto game. It provides the most convenient method of going around the city and getting to all those tight spots that can be explored in any version of the game. Cars are also very accessible since you can find them in every location of the map; all you need to do is to steal them.

Steps

1
Find a car you like or want to steal or hijack. Cars can be found parked anywhere on the map. Just look along the sides of the roads or parking lots to find one. Pick the car you want to get and approach it.
2
Look around for cops. Before you steal a car, look around and check if there are cops around the area. If you see one, you may want to let him walk by first until he’s a few meters away from you.
- Stealing a car while there’s a cop near you will instantly raise your wanted level to one star. Cops will start chasing you and shoot at your car.
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3
Get into the car. Stand right beside the vehicle and press the Y (Xbox), Triangle (PlayStation), or F (PC) button to get into the car. Your character will break the side window, enter, and start the vehicle.
- In some occasions, a car may have an alarm. Once your character breaks the side window, the alarm will set off. Don’t panic because the alarm is useless unless there are cops near the vehicle. It will eventually turn itself off after a few seconds.
4
Now you can drive your stolen car wherever you want! Whether if it's a killing spree, for a mission, or just plain joyrides. Press the Right Trigger (Xbox), L2 (PlayStation), or W (PC) button to accelerate and drive away from the spot.
5
Get away from cops. If there are cops around the area when you stole a car, they will chase after you. To escape the cops, look at the mini map on the lower left corner of the screen to check the range of the police, marked by a large flashing circle, that’s chasing you. Simply speed away out of the cop’s range, and they will stop chasing you, removing any wanted star you have.

Method 1

Method 1 of 1:

Stealing a Moving Car

1
Walk along the sides of the road. Cars can be seen on every street on the map. Just walk along the sides of the street and wait for the car you want to steal to drive by.
2
Look around for cops. Before you hijack a car, look around and check if there are cops around the area. If you see one, you may want to let him walk by first until he’s a few meters away from you.
- Hijacking a car while there’s a cop near you will instantly raise your wanted level to one star. Cops will start chasing you and shoot at your car.
3
Stand in front of the car. Once the car is getting close, walk up the street and stand in its way. The driver will stop the vehicle and honk at you.
- Do not steal cars from the freeway. These vehicles are moving too fast, and standing on its way will only kill you. Hijack cars that are moving at an average speed, like those on avenues or streets.
4
Get into the car. Walk towards the side of the vehicle and press the Y (Xbox), Triangle (PlayStation), or F (PC) button to get in. Your character will open the door and pull the driver out of the vehicle.
5
Drive away. Press the Right Trigger (Xbox), L2 (PlayStation), or W (PC) button to accelerate and drive away from the spot.
6
Get away from cops. If there are cops around the area when you stole a car, they will chase after you. To escape the cops, look at the mini map on the lower left corner of the screen to check the range of the police, marked by a large flashing circle, that’s chasing you. Simply speed away out of the cop’s range and they will stop chasing you, removing any wanted star you have.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I get in the car?

Community Answer

Walk towards the side of the vehicle and press the Y (Xbox), triangle (PlayStation), or F (PC) button to get in. Your character will open the door and pull the driver out of the vehicle.
Question

Will hijacking a cop car in GTA with no cops around raise my wanted level?

Community Answer

No not at all. The only way to raise a wanted level is if a cop sees you.
Question

How do you become a cop in Grand Theft Auto 5?

Community Answer

There is currently no safe ways to become a cop. However, you could install mods that allow you to do that.