Yield sign: what it means

Yield sign: a downward-pointing triangle with a wide red border, a white center and the word YIELD in red
Drawing: DriveQuiz, based on MUTCD sign R1-2. Simplified; real signs follow the FHWA Standard Highway Signs specifications.

The yield sign means you must let other traffic go first. Slow down, and stop when you need to, so you do not interfere with traffic that has the right-of-way.

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What it means

MUTCD Section 2B.05: the YIELD sign requires road users to yield the right-of-way to other traffic on certain approaches to an intersection, or on a two-way approach to a one-way section of road such as a narrow bridge. Drivers need to slow down to a reasonable speed, or stop when necessary, to avoid getting in the way of traffic that has the right-of-way.

The downward-pointing triangle is reserved for YIELD (Section 2A.05). Where a yield line is painted, it is a row of white triangles pointing toward you (Section 3B.19).

Where you see it

At intersections where a full stop is not always needed, on channelized turn lanes separated by an island, and where traffic merges and needs control (MUTCD Section 2B.10).

A common mistake

Not slowing down enough to really look. A yield sign does not require a stop when the way is clear, but it does require you to check properly and stop if anyone has the right-of-way.

Quick quiz

You reach a yield sign and no traffic or pedestrians are coming. What must you do?

  1. Always stop completely
  2. Slow down and continue if it is clear
  3. Speed up to merge
Show answer

B. Slow down and continue if it is clear. Section 2B.05: slow down to a reasonable speed, and stop only when necessary to avoid interfering with other traffic. Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B, Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates: Sections 2B.05, 2B.10, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2A, General (signs): Section 2A.05, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 3, Markings: Section 3B.19, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA

Compare with

Next in regulatory signs: All-way stop sign. See all regulatory signs or the full road signs list.

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Sources

  1. MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B, Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates: Sections 2B.05, 2B.10, FHWA
  2. MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2A, General (signs): Section 2A.05, FHWA
  3. MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 3, Markings: Section 3B.19, FHWA
  4. MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA. FHWA lists the current version as the 11th Edition with Revision 1, dated December 2025

Sign pictures are our own simplified drawings of the MUTCD designs, which are in the public domain (MUTCD Section 1D.06). Sources and image credits.