Virginia Left-Turn Failure to Yield: Fines, Points & What to Do Next

You are first in line at a green light, waiting to turn left. Oncoming traffic thins, a gap opens, and it looks big enough — so you go. Halfway through the turn, an oncoming car you misjudged clips your front end. In Virginia, that crash is almost always your fault, and the ticket that comes with it is failure to yield when turning left. It is one of the most common at-fault intersection violations in the state, and a conviction adds 4 DMV demerit points to your record on top of the crash.

This guide explains what Virginia's left-turn right-of-way law requires, what the ticket costs in fines and points, how it hits your insurance, and the steps to take afterward to protect your license.

What Is Failure to Yield When Turning Left in Virginia?

The rule is set out in Va. Code § 46.2-825. A driver intending to turn left — within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway — must yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction that is so close as to constitute a hazard. In plain terms: oncoming traffic that is close enough to reach you has the right of way, and you must wait.

There is one important exception. At an intersection with a dedicated green left-turn arrow, the driver making the protected left turn has the right of way over oncoming traffic. The failure-to-yield duty applies when you are turning on a solid green light or a flashing yellow arrow, where the turn is permitted but not protected.

This is a different violation from an improper left turn (which is about turning from the wrong lane under a separate statute) and from the broader failure to yield right of way rules. It is also worth knowing your Virginia right-of-way laws generally, since intersections are where most of these tickets happen.

Fines & DMV Demerit Points

Here is what a left-turn failure-to-yield conviction under Va. Code § 46.2-825 costs:

• Fine: set by the local court — commonly a base fine in the $30 range plus court costs, so the out-the-door total usually runs well over $100 (and higher when a crash is involved).

• DMV demerit points: 4 demerit points, the standard assessment for a failure-to-yield right-of-way violation.

• How long it stays: 3 years on your Virginia driving record from the date of the offense.

Because these tickets are so often written at the scene of a collision, the 4 points frequently arrive alongside an at-fault accident on your record. See our guide to a failure to yield ticket involving an accident for how that combination plays out, and our Virginia DMV demerit point system guide for how the points add up toward advisory letters and suspension.

Offset those 4 points now — enroll in the DMV-approved course for $74.99 →

How a Left-Turn Failure-to-Yield Ticket Affects Your Car Insurance

This violation can hit your premium harder than most because it usually comes with an at-fault crash. Insurers see two red flags at once: a 4-point moving violation and a collision you caused. Many Virginia drivers see a premium increase of roughly 20% to 35% after a failure-to-yield-with-accident, and the surcharge can stay on the policy for three to five years. Even without a crash, a standalone 4-point conviction typically pushes rates up 15% to 25%. We break the numbers down in how Virginia traffic tickets affect insurance rates.

Common Scenarios That Lead to a Ticket

Almost every left-turn failure-to-yield ticket comes from one of these situations:

• Turning on a solid green light and misjudging the speed or distance of an oncoming car.

• The "yellow trap" — assuming oncoming traffic also has a yellow or red when your light changes, when in fact they still have a green.

• Turning left into a driveway or parking lot across an oncoming lane of traffic.

• Creeping into the intersection and completing the turn as the light turns yellow, cutting off a car that still had the right of way.

What to Do After a Left-Turn Failure-to-Yield Ticket

1. Decide whether to contest it. These cases hinge on right-of-way facts: Did you have a protected green arrow? Was the oncoming car speeding or running a red? Were sight lines blocked? A genuine dispute may support a defense — start with how to get a Virginia traffic ticket dismissed.

2. Know that prepaying admits guilt. Paying the fine before court is a guilty plea, and the 4 demerit points post automatically. If a crash or injury is involved, do not prepay without understanding the consequences.

3. Take a DMV-approved driver improvement course. A voluntary course earns 5 safe-driving points to offset the demerit points, and judges often view completion favorably before a court date. Our 8-hour online course covers exactly the intersection right-of-way judgment these tickets involve.

4. Monitor your driving record. Confirm the points posted correctly and watch for any accident notation. Here is how to check your Virginia driving record.

Virginia Driver Improvement Course Codes

When you enroll, Virginia recognizes your driver improvement course under one of several reason codes. Knowing which one applies keeps your completion certificate valid:

Most drivers who take our course after a ticket choose the VOL option to bank 5 safe-driving points. Learn how safe-driving points work →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points is a left-turn failure to yield in Virginia?
It is a 4-point demerit violation under Va. Code § 46.2-825 and stays on your record for 3 years.

Who is at fault in a left-turn crash?
The turning driver is presumed at fault, because the vehicle going straight through the intersection normally has the right of way. A green arrow, or an oncoming driver running a red light, can change that.

Does a green left-turn arrow protect me?
Yes. On a protected green arrow you have the right of way over oncoming traffic. The duty to yield applies when you turn on a solid green or a flashing yellow arrow.

Enroll Today and Protect Your Record

A left-turn failure-to-yield ticket puts 4 points — and often an at-fault crash — on your record, but you can act today. Our Virginia DMV-approved driver improvement course is $74.99, 100% online and self-paced, and backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Complete it voluntarily to earn 5 safe-driving points, or to satisfy a court or DMV requirement.

Enroll in the $74.99 DMV-approved driver improvement course today →

By ABC Driving Improvement — a Virginia DMV-Approved Provider.