CVC 21801(a) Failure to Yield Right-of-Way Ticket Explained | How to Fight in CA
Failure to yield right-of-way when entering or crossing a highway
Written by
Violation category
General Traffic
Base fine
$35
Estimated total cost
Includes court fees and assessments
DMV points
1 point
What is California Vehicle Code CVC 21801(a)?
Failure to yield right-of-way when entering or crossing a highway
Common scenarios
- You’re pulling out of a parking lot onto a busy street but waited for a clear break in traffic before moving. The officer still gave you a ticket.
- You entered a highway from an on-ramp but a fast car didn’t slow down, causing the officer to think you didn’t yield.
- You crossed an intersection without a stop sign but misjudged the speed of oncoming cars. The officer said you failed to yield.
Key facts
- Yield means wait your turn: You must let cars already on the highway go first before you enter or cross.
- Signs and road markings help decide: Look for yield signs, stop signs, or lane markings that tell you when to give way.
- Ticket doesn’t always mean you’re at fault: You can challenge the ticket if you believe you followed the rules or if the officer’s view was limited.
Fine breakdown for CVC 21801(a)
| Category | Estimated amount |
|---|---|
| Base fine | $35 |
| Court & county surcharges (estimate) | $133 |
| Total estimated out-of-pocket | $168 |
County fees can multiply the base fine by 3–5x. ClerkHero confirms exact totals using your ticket details.
What is CVC 21801(a)?
This law means you must give the right-of-way to other drivers when you are entering or crossing a highway. Simply put, if you’re pulling onto a busy road or crossing it, you need to wait for a safe gap and let cars already on the highway go first.
Why does this matter? It helps keep traffic flowing smoothly and prevents crashes. If you got a ticket for this, it means the officer thinks you didn’t wait your turn and caused a risk.
What to know if you got this ticket:
- You must prove you yielded or had a safe chance to enter without cutting off others.
- The officer’s notes and any evidence will matter a lot.
- You can fight the ticket if you believe you did yield or the situation was unclear.
Don’t panic! Many drivers get this ticket by mistake or because of confusing road signs. Understanding the law and your options can help you handle it calmly.
Defense ideas you can use in your TR-205 packet
Every ticket is different, but these arguments often surface in successful Trial-by-Declaration defenses. ClerkHero tailors the narrative to match your facts and any evidence you upload.
Defense 1
I actually yielded and waited for a clear gap before entering or crossing the highway.
Defense 2
The officer’s view was blocked or the situation was unclear, so they made a mistake.
Defense 3
There were no signs or markings telling me to yield, making it confusing.
Defense 4
Another driver was speeding or didn’t give me a chance to merge safely.
Defense 5
I was already partially on the highway and had the right-of-way.
We can help fight your ticket CVC 21801(a) online
ClerkHero builds your entire TR-205 defense packet automatically. No lawyer. No court visit. No confusing forms. Just upload your ticket and we handle the rest.
Step 1
Upload your ticket
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Step 2
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You answer a few questions. We craft a TR-205 defense letter tailored to this exact violation code.
Step 3
Sign, mail, and track
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Frequently asked questions about CVC 21801(a)
What does "failure to yield right-of-way" really mean?
It means you didn’t wait for other cars to pass before entering or crossing a highway, which can cause accidents.
Can I fight this ticket if I think I did yield?
Yes! You can explain what happened, show evidence, or question the officer’s observations.
Will this ticket add points to my driving record?
Yes, this violation usually adds 1 point, which can affect your insurance rates.
What should I do if I’m unsure about yielding at a certain spot?
Always slow down, look for signs, and wait for a clear gap before moving onto the highway.
Can confusing road signs help me defend this ticket?
Yes, if signs or markings were missing or unclear, that can be a valid defense.