CVC 21803(a)Eligible for written declaration

Failure to Yield at Yield Sign

At a yield sign, not yielding to vehicles that have entered the intersection or are approaching on the intersecting highway 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 Yield Sign ticket?

CVC 21803(a) says the driver of any vehicle approaching any intersection which is controlled by a yield right-of-way sign shall, upon arriving at the sign, yield the right-of-way to any vehicles which have entered the intersection, or which are approaching on the intersecting highway close enough 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 any intersection which is controlled by a yield right-of-way sign shall, upon arriving at the sign, yield the right-of-way to any vehicles which have entered the intersection, or which are approaching on the intersecting highway close enough 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 an intersection controlled by a yield right-of-way sign
2On arriving at the sign, you did not yield the right-of-way to a vehicle which had entered the intersection or was approaching on the intersecting highway close enough to constitute an immediate hazard

Arguments Commonly Raised for Failure to Yield at Yield Sign

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

No vehicle had entered or was an immediate hazard

CVC 21803(a) requires yielding to vehicles which have entered the intersection, or which are approaching on the intersecting highway close enough to constitute an immediate hazard. Describe the other traffic when you arrived at the sign.

You proceeded with reasonable safety

The section requires yielding until the driver can proceed with reasonable safety. Describe what you saw and when you went.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

✗Not photographing the yield sign and the intersection
✗Leaving out where the other vehicles were when you reached the sign

What this code section covers (general information)

CVC 21803(a) — Failure to Yield at Yield Sign. At a yield sign, not yielding to vehicles that have entered the intersection or are approaching on the intersecting highway 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 21803(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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Failure to Yield at Yield Sign

Do I have to stop at a yield sign?▼

CVC 21803(a) says to yield the right-of-way upon arriving at the sign to vehicles which have entered the intersection or are approaching on the intersecting highway close enough to constitute an immediate hazard. Subdivision (a) does not say you must stop.

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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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