PermitPracticeTest
Menu

Yield sign

Tells drivers they must give the right-of-way to other traffic (and pedestrians) on the road they are entering or crossing.

What to do

Slow down to a safe speed and be ready to stop. Let conflicting vehicles and pedestrians go first; continue without stopping only if the way is clear.

Slow down as you approach, look both ways early, and be ready to stop completely if a vehicle, bicyclist or pedestrian has the right-of-way.

Where it's used

The YIELD sign tells drivers to slow to a reasonable speed and stop if necessary so they do not interfere with traffic that has the right-of-way, at intersections or on a two-way approach to a one-lane section such as a narrow bridge (Section 2B.05). It is the only downward-pointing equilateral triangle, with a wide red border, white interior and red YIELD legend, normally 36 inches on a side on single-lane roads (Table 2B-1), and it may not be shown on a changeable message sign. Related plaques include TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC (R1-2aP) and the yield-to-pedestrian plaques shown in Figure 2B-1, and a YIELD AHEAD (W3-2) warning sign may precede it.

Don't confuse it with

  • Stop: A STOP sign always requires a full stop, while a YIELD sign requires a stop only when conflicting traffic or pedestrians are present.
  • Yield Ahead: YIELD AHEAD is a yellow diamond warning that a YIELD sign is coming up; the red-and-white triangle is the actual control point.
  • Yield Line: The yield line is a row of white triangles painted on the pavement showing where to stop if you must yield; the sign itself is post-mounted.
Yield sign
Type
Regulatory signs
Shape
Downward-pointing triangle
Colors
red, white
MUTCD code
R1-2
MUTCD section
2B.05

On state permit tests

Our questions for 47 states ask about this sign, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas and California.

Test yourself

What does a YIELD sign require? (Alabama practice test)

  • Speed up to merge
  • Slow down so you can yield to pedestrians and vehicles on the intersecting road
  • A full stop always
  • Nothing at night
Show answer

Slow down so you can yield to pedestrians and vehicles on the intersecting road. YIELD means slow down so you can yield to pedestrians crossing and to vehicles on the intersecting road.

At a yield sign, when is a stop required? (Alaska practice test)

  • Always
  • Only at night
  • Never
  • When necessary to avoid pedestrians or traffic on the protected street
Show answer

When necessary to avoid pedestrians or traffic on the protected street. Slow down, look both ways and yield; stop when necessary to avoid pedestrians or traffic on the protected street.

More regulatory signs

Road signs testAll road signs

From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition, section 2B.05. Sign image: public domain, source.