Failure to Yield at Yield Sign
Failing to yield the right-of-way as required by an official yield sign placed at an intersection or highway entry point.
This guide is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. TicketClear is a self-help document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not represent clients. Review all prepared documents carefully before submitting. Fine amounts are estimates and vary by county and surcharge schedule.
What is a Failure to Yield at Yield Sign ticket?
CVC 21355 requires drivers to yield the right of way at yield signs — slowing or stopping as necessary to allow conflicting traffic to pass safely. Unlike a stop sign, a complete stop is not required unless necessary to avoid a collision. Failing to yield when a stop was necessary is the violation.
A failure-to-yield conviction adds 1 DMV point and carries fines of $238–$350. Yield sign violations are often associated with intersection accidents, and a ticket can be used as evidence of fault in civil litigation.
A 1-point yield violation raises insurance premiums roughly 15–20% for 3 years. If an accident was involved, the impact may be greater.
What the Law Says
The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicles in the intersection.
What the Officer Must Prove
- 1A yield sign was present at the intersection or merge point
- 2There was conflicting traffic with the right of way
- 3You failed to slow or stop to yield to that traffic
How Drivers Get This Ticket
Driver merges onto freeway from an on-ramp with a yield sign, forces another car to brake hard.
Cited for 21355; the other driver's evasive action was documented by officer. Difficult to contest.
Driver slows at yield sign, checks for traffic, proceeds when clear — officer issues ticket.
Good defense: yield sign does not require a full stop; if driver slowed and cross-traffic was clear, no violation occurred.
Roundabout entry; driver yields to circulating traffic but officer felt they cut someone off.
Marginal case; dashcam footage showing the gap would be compelling evidence of proper yielding.
Common Defenses for Failure to Yield at Yield Sign
These are the defense arguments that appear most often in successful Trial by Written Declarations for this violation.
No conflicting traffic required a stop
A yield sign violation only occurs when you failed to slow or stop for traffic that had the right of way. If traffic was clear when you proceeded, no violation occurred.
You did slow sufficiently
The statute requires slowing to a speed at which you can stop if necessary. If dashcam footage or witness statements confirm you reduced speed appropriately, the element of "failure to yield" is not met.
Officer's view was obstructed
If the officer could not clearly see the yield sign, your vehicle, and conflicting traffic simultaneously, their observations may be unreliable. Challenge this in your written declaration.
How to Address This in Your Declaration
- ✓Dashcam footage showing your speed and the intersection conditions
- ✓Photographs of the yield sign location and sight lines
- ✓Witness statements from other drivers who observed the approach
- ✓Traffic flow data for that intersection at the time of the citation
⚠️ What NOT to Do
- ✗Conflating yield signs with stop signs — different legal standard applies
- ✗Not documenting the scene promptly if you believe the citation was unjustified
- ✗Paying without considering the DMV point impact on insurance
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Frequently Asked Questions About Failure to Yield at Yield Sign
Do I have to make a full stop at a yield sign?▼
No. CVC 21355 only requires you to stop at a yield sign when a stop is necessary to avoid a collision with traffic that has the right of way. If you can safely proceed while slowing, a full stop is not required.
Can I be cited even if no accident occurred?▼
Yes. An officer can cite you for failure to yield even without a collision, if they observed that conflicting traffic had to brake or take evasive action because of your entry.
What is the difference between CVC 21355 and CVC 21801?▼
CVC 21355 covers yield signs. CVC 21801 covers yielding when making a left turn. They both result in a 1-point violation but apply in different situations.
Traffic School Option
Eligible drivers can attend traffic school to mask the DMV point. Complete the course before the court's deadline (typically 60–90 days after your appearance date).
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Related Violations
This guide is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. TicketClear is a self-help document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not represent clients. Review all prepared documents carefully before submitting. Fine amounts are estimates and vary by county and surcharge schedule.