CVC 21801(a)Eligible for written declaration

Failure to Yield When Turning Left

Failing to yield to oncoming vehicles close enough to be a hazard when turning left or making a U-turn, including left turns into property or an alley.

Reviewed by the TicketClear teamLast reviewed October 10, 2026

Fine: $234DMV Points: 1🏫 Traffic school may be available

Insurance: insurers must weigh your driving safety record first (Insurance Code 1861.02(a)), and more than one violation point counted under Vehicle Code 12810(a) to (d), (f), (i)(1) or (j) in the previous three years ends Good Driver Discount eligibility (Insurance Code 1861.025(b)(1)).

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 When Turning Left ticket?

CVC 21801(a) says the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left or complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.

Ask your insurer how a conviction affects your policy.

What the Law Says

(a) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.

What the Officer Must Prove

1You were turning left or completing a U-turn upon a highway, or turning left into public or private property or an alley
2A vehicle approaching from the opposite direction was close enough to constitute a hazard at some time during your turn
3You did not yield the right-of-way to it

Arguments Commonly Raised for Failure to Yield When Turning Left

General information: arguments drivers commonly raise for this code section. Whether any applies depends on your own facts.

No hazard during the turn

CVC 21801(a) is about vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement. Describe the distance and speed of oncoming traffic when you turned.

You waited until it was reasonably safe

The section requires yielding until the turn can be made with reasonable safety. Describe how long you waited and what you saw.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

✗Not photographing the intersection from your approach
✗Leaving out where the oncoming vehicle was when you began the turn

What this code section covers (general information)

CVC 21801(a) — Failure to Yield When Turning Left. Failing to yield to oncoming vehicles close enough to be a hazard when turning left or making a U-turn, including left turns into property or an alley.

This is a fixed-rule section: it describes a specific act or limit. The question is whether the facts show that act: what happened, where, and how it was observed or measured.

Eligible for Trial by Written Declaration: generally yes.

This is general information about CVC 21801(a). It is not advice about your citation, and TicketClear does not evaluate anyone's facts. Whether any of it applies depends on your own facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed California attorney.

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Traffic School Option

A conviction adds 1 DMV point. The court may let you complete traffic school. If it is the only ticket you have done traffic school for in 18 months, the record is kept confidential and no point is counted (Vehicle Code 1808.7(a)). Traffic school is not available for a violation in a commercial motor vehicle (Vehicle Code 42005(c)(1)). If you hold a commercial driver license, the record is not kept confidential (Vehicle Code 1808.7(b)). Check your notice or your court's website for your options.

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