Virginia Failure to Yield Right of Way: Fines, Points & What to Do

Virginia's roads are full of intersections, merges, and situations where one driver must give way to another. Failure to yield right of way is one of the most common traffic violations in the state — and one of the most misunderstood. If you've received a failure to yield ticket, you're probably wondering what it costs, how it affects your driving record, and what you can do about it. This guide breaks it all down.

What Is Failure to Yield Right of Way in Virginia?

Failure to yield means a driver did not give the legal right of way to another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist when required by Virginia traffic law. Virginia Code § 46.2-820 through § 46.2-863 covers a range of right-of-way rules, including:

• Uncontrolled intersections: When two vehicles arrive at an intersection at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.

• Stop signs and yield signs: You must yield to all approaching traffic before proceeding.

• Turning left: Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming traffic proceeding straight.

• Entering a highway or main road: Drivers entering from a side road, driveway, or parking lot must yield to traffic already on the main road.

• Emergency vehicles: All drivers must yield to emergency vehicles with lights and sirens activated.

• Pedestrians: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks.

Each of these situations carries its own legal requirement, and failing to comply can result in a traffic citation.

Fines and Demerit Points for Failure to Yield in Virginia

In Virginia, a failure to yield ticket typically results in:

• Fine: $30 to $250, depending on the specific violation and jurisdiction. Court costs can add an additional $60–$85 to that total.

• Demerit points: Most failure to yield violations carry 3 demerit points on your Virginia driving record, though violations involving pedestrians or emergency vehicles can result in 4 points.

• Points stay on your record: Demerit points from a failure to yield ticket remain on your driving record for 2 years from the date of the offense.

How Points Add Up

Virginia uses a point system to track driving behavior. You start with a neutral balance and:

• Safe driving earns points — driving one full year without a violation earns +1 safe point (up to +5 maximum).

• Violations cost you points — a 3-point demerit violation means you go from 0 to -3.

• Suspension territory — if you accumulate -18 points in 12 months or -24 points in 24 months, your license can be suspended.

A single failure to yield ticket won't put you in suspension territory, but combined with other violations, it can quickly add up.

Will a Failure to Yield Ticket Affect Your Insurance?

Yes — this is where many drivers feel the real pain. Insurance companies review your driving record when calculating premiums, and a demerit point violation can lead to a rate increase at your next renewal. How much your rate goes up depends on your insurer, your history, and the specific violation.

The good news: Virginia gives you a legal tool to fight back.

How a Driver Improvement Course Can Help

Virginia's driver improvement program allows you to take an 8-hour online driver improvement course to earn 5 safe driving points on your record. These positive points offset demerit points — so if you picked up 3 demerit points from a failure to yield ticket, completing the course leaves you with a net +2 on your balance.

There are two ways a driver improvement course can help:

Court-Ordered Driver Improvement

If a judge orders you to complete a driver improvement course as part of your ticket resolution, completing it is required to maintain your license. This often happens for repeat violations or when the offense involves yielding to an emergency vehicle or pedestrian.

Voluntary Driver Improvement for Points

Even if the court doesn't order it, you can voluntarily complete Virginia's online driver improvement course to earn 5 safe points and potentially lower your insurance premiums. Virginia allows you to take the course voluntarily once every 24 months for safe-point credit.

At ABC Driving Improvement, our Virginia DMV-approved 8-hour course is fully online, self-paced, and completed from the comfort of home — no classroom required.

What to Do After Getting a Failure to Yield Ticket

Here's your step-by-step plan:

1. Don't ignore it. Failing to respond to a Virginia traffic ticket can result in a license suspension, additional fines, and a failure to appear charge.

2. Review the ticket carefully. Note the specific code section cited — different failure to yield violations carry different point values.

3. Decide whether to prepay or contest. Prepaying is a guilty plea. If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can contest it in court.

4. Consider a driver improvement course. Even if you pay the fine, taking the online defensive driving course earns safe points and may help with insurance.

5. Check your driving record. Use the Virginia DMV's online portal or visit our driver resources page to review your current point balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points is a failure to yield ticket in Virginia?

Most failure to yield violations result in 3 demerit points on your Virginia driving record. Violations involving pedestrians in crosswalks or emergency vehicles may carry 4 demerit points. Points stay on your record for 2 years from the offense date.

Can I take a driver improvement course to remove failure to yield points?

You cannot "remove" demerit points, but you can offset them. Virginia's driver improvement program awards 5 safe driving points when you complete an approved 8-hour course. These positive points reduce your net point balance. You're eligible to take the voluntary course once every 24 months.

Will a failure to yield ticket raise my car insurance in Virginia?

It likely will. Insurance companies access your Virginia driving record and may increase your premium upon renewal after a demerit violation. The amount of the increase varies by insurer and your driving history. Completing a driver improvement course may help offset this, as some insurers offer discounts for course completion.

Get Back on Track with ABC Driving Improvement

A failure to yield ticket doesn't have to derail your driving record. Virginia gives you the tools to address it — and ABC Driving Improvement makes it easy. Our 100% online, Virginia DMV-approved 8-hour driver improvement course helps you earn 5 safe points, satisfy court requirements, and get back on the road with confidence.

Enroll today for just $74.99 — complete at your own pace, from any device.