CVC 21802(a)Eligible for written declaration

Failure to Yield at Stop Sign Intersection

After stopping at a stop sign at an intersection, not yielding to vehicles that have approached from another highway or are close enough to be an immediate hazard.

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 at Stop Sign Intersection ticket?

CVC 21802(a) says the driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop as required by Section 22450. The driver shall then yield the right-of-way to any vehicles which have approached from another highway, or which are approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, and shall continue to yield until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety.

Ask your insurer how a conviction affects your policy.

What the Law Says

(a) The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop as required by Section 22450. The driver shall then yield the right-of-way to any vehicles which have approached from another highway, or which are approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to those vehicles until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety.

What the Officer Must Prove

1You approached a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection
2After stopping, you did not yield the right-of-way to a vehicle which had approached from another highway or was approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard

Arguments Commonly Raised for Failure to Yield at Stop Sign Intersection

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

No vehicle had approached or was an immediate hazard

CVC 21802(a) requires yielding to vehicles which have approached from another highway, or which are approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard. Describe the other traffic when you entered.

You proceeded with reasonable safety

The section requires yielding until the driver can proceed with reasonable safety. Describe how long you waited and what you saw.

Stop signs on all approaches

CVC 21802(c) says the section does not apply where stop signs are erected upon all approaches to an intersection. If the intersection was an all-way stop, say so and include a photo of the signs.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

✗Not photographing the intersection and the stop signs
✗Leaving out where the other vehicle was when you entered

What this code section covers (general information)

CVC 21802(a) — Failure to Yield at Stop Sign Intersection. After stopping at a stop sign at an intersection, not yielding to vehicles that have approached from another highway or are close enough to be an immediate hazard.

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 21802(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.

🏫

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.

Ready to prepare your documents?

Upload your citation and TicketClear prepares your Trial by Written Declaration documents from the details you provide. Just $49.99 for any eligible California ticket.

Check if my ticket qualifies

Takes 2 minutes. No payment required to check.