Is a defendant who takes a vehicle with intent to deprive the owner of possession of the vehicle a criminal offence?

On the other hand, a violation of section 10851 does not require this intent. For example, a person can violate section 10851(a) by driving or taking a vehicle, which are separate and distinct acts. (People v. Solis, supra, 245 Cal.App.4th at p. 1108, rev. gr.) A defendant can "take" a vehicle with the intent to deprive the owner of possession temporarily. Thus, while every car thief necessarily violates section 10851(a), a defendant who takes or drives a vehicle is not necessarily a car thief. (Id. at p. 1109, rev.

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