When it comes to a vehicle test drive -- how long is too long before it's illegal?

Q: Can you be arrested for taking too long of a test drive at a car dealership? -- RichardA: Richard, great question. Occasionally we've had questions come up when somebody takes a test drive. The question you ask is about taking too long with a test drive. It depends on what "tool long" means. If it means three days that might be theft, but the fact is that for a person to be charged or arrested if they've taken a test drive in a car and a car dealership calls and says, 'This person should be charged with theft," we have to show that there was an intent to permanently deprive that property to its rightful owner, which would the the car dealership, so if it's something like three days and the person's made no effort to return it, that might be a theft case, but if it's a little bit too long and it wasn't explained in a very specific way how long it should be that generally would not be something someone would be arrested for. It's also the reason why car dealerships don't put too much gas in their car, because they don't want the person to go very far. If you ever have a question about it, just ask the dealer, 'How long is it okay for me to take this car?' and that's probably the best way to stay out of trouble." -- Bremerton Police Chief Steve Strachan