The steering lock (1) has an operation carriage that is provided with a circle or wedge shaped stroke portion and a control section driven by driving wheel. A locking pin (4) is provided for locking the steering shaft displaced by stroke portion of operation carriage. An actuator is provided with a primary force component arranged vertically with respect to traveling direction of operation carriage, and a secondary force component arranged parallelly with respect to traveling direction of operation carriage. The locking pin is provided on lifting element of stroke portion. An independent claim is included for method for operating electric steering lock for vehicle.