A vehicle controller has a brake operation detector that detects operation of a brake of a vehicle, a contact detector that detects contact of hands with a steering part of the vehicle, an authentication unit that makes wireless communication with a portable device having authentication information and authenticates the portable device, and a controller that controls power supply of the vehicle and driving of a prime mover of the vehicle. If the portable device has been successfully authenticated, the operation of the brake has been detected, and contact of the hands with at least two locations of the steering part has been detected for a specified period or more, the controller performs control to start power supply to a predetermined load of the vehicle and start the prime mover.