Failing to yield the right-of-way to a vehicle that has entered or is approaching an intersection simultaneously from a different highway.
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.
This ticket means you allegedly failed to yield the right-of-way to another vehicle at an intersection without stop signs, traffic signals, or yield signs. At these uncontrolled intersections, the vehicle that arrives first has the right-of-way, and if two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
This violation carries fines between $238 and $350, plus 1 point on your DMV record that stays for 3 years. That single point can increase your auto insurance premiums by 15-25% annually, potentially costing you hundreds of dollars over time.
One point on your record typically raises insurance premiums by 15-25% for three years. Completing traffic school can hide the point from insurers, saving you potentially $500-$1,500 in increased premiums over that period.
Two cars approach a residential intersection with no signs at roughly the same time, and the driver on the left proceeds first.
The driver on the left can be cited because they should have yielded to the vehicle on their right when arriving simultaneously.
A driver enters an uncontrolled intersection thinking they arrived first, but another vehicle that entered slightly earlier has to brake to avoid a collision.
The second driver can be cited for failing to yield to the vehicle that entered the intersection first.
A driver approaches an intersection obscured by parked cars and bushes, cannot see clearly, and enters at the same time as another vehicle.
This situation may provide grounds for dismissal if the driver can prove visibility conditions made it impossible to determine who arrived first.
These are the defense arguments that appear most often in successful Trial by Written Declarations for this violation.
Intersection was clear when you entered
CVC 21800(a) requires yielding at an uncontrolled intersection to vehicles entering simultaneously from the right. If no vehicle from the right was close enough to constitute a hazard when you entered, the statute's elements are not met.
You were to the right — you had the right of way
At an uncontrolled intersection, the vehicle on the right has right of way. If you were to the right of the other vehicle, you were not required to yield.
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An uncontrolled intersection has no stop signs, yield signs, or traffic signals for any direction. These are common in residential neighborhoods and rural areas where traffic volume is low.
The vehicle that enters the intersection first has the right-of-way. If two vehicles arrive at exactly the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
Yes, you can still contest the ticket. The officer's observations are not automatically conclusive, and you can present your account of events, photographs of the intersection, or other evidence supporting your version.
If the other vehicle was traveling at an excessive speed that made it impossible to judge their arrival time safely, this could support your defense. However, you would need evidence such as witness statements or video to establish the other driver's speed.
Yes, moving violations including CVC 21800(a) appear on your driving record and can affect CDL holders more severely. Commercial drivers should consider fighting the ticket or consulting with a traffic attorney to protect their professional license.
Traffic School Option
Most drivers cited for CVC 21800(a) are eligible for traffic school, which keeps the point off your public record and prevents insurance increases. You typically must not have attended traffic school for another ticket within the past 18 months.
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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.
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