{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/46.2-821.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/46.2-821.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/46.2-821.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/46.2-821.html"}],"law_id":366242,"edition_id":2,"section_id":366242,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-821","catch_line":"Vehicles before entering certain highways shall stop or yield right-of-way","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 46-238, 46-255; 1952, c. 666; 1954, c. 137; 1956, c. 533; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7\u00a7 46.1-221, 46.1-247; 1972, c. 489; 1974, c. 347; 1976, c. 314; 1985, c. 218; 1989, c. 727; 2013, cc. 128, 400.","full_text":"The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection on a highway controlled by a stop sign shall, immediately before entering such intersection, stop at a clearly marked stop line, or, in the absence of a stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, in the absence of a marked crosswalk, stop at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. Before proceeding, he shall yield the right-of-way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction.\n\nWhere a “Yield Right-of-Way” sign is posted, the driver of a vehicle approaching or entering such intersection shall slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions, yield the right-of-way to the driver of another vehicle approaching or entering such intersection from another direction, and, if required for safety, shall stop at a clearly marked stop or yield line, or, in the absence of a stop or yield line, stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway, and shall yield the right-of-way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1364086,"text":"The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection on a highway controlled by a stop sign shall, immediately before entering such intersection, stop at a clearly marked stop line, or, in the absence of a stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, in the absence of a marked crosswalk, stop at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. Before proceeding, he shall yield the right-of-way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1364087,"text":"Where a “Yield Right-of-Way” sign is posted, the driver of a vehicle approaching or entering such intersection shall slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions, yield the right-of-way to the driver of another vehicle approaching or entering such intersection from another direction, and, if required for safety, shall stop at a clearly marked stop or yield line, or, in the absence of a stop or yield line, stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway, and shall yield the right-of-way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":52187,"edition_id":2,"name":"Right-Of-Way","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":4,"parent_id":52184,"metadata":{"child_laws":12,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:55:43","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:08","permalink":{"id":1457707,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52187,"identifier":"2","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52184,"edition_id":2,"name":"Regulation of Traffic","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":52051,"metadata":{"child_laws":208,"child_structures":21},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:55:38","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:08","permalink":{"id":1457191,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52184,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52051,"edition_id":2,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":52048,"metadata":{"child_laws":589,"child_structures":55},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:07","permalink":{"id":1455599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52051,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52048,"edition_id":2,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":101,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1830,"child_structures":157},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:02","permalink":{"id":1452291,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52048,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":366241,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-820","catch_line":"Right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections, generally","url":"\/46.2-820\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-820","metadata":false},{"id":366242,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-821","catch_line":"Vehicles before entering certain highways shall stop or yield right-of-way","url":"\/46.2-821\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-821","metadata":false},{"id":366243,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-822","catch_line":"Right-of-way at circular intersections","url":"\/46.2-822\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-822","metadata":false},{"id":366244,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-823","catch_line":"Unlawful speed forfeits right-of-way","url":"\/46.2-823\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-823","metadata":false},{"id":366245,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-824","catch_line":"Right-of-way at uncontrolled \"T\" intersections","url":"\/46.2-824\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-824","metadata":false},{"id":366246,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-825","catch_line":"Left turn traffic to yield right-of-way","url":"\/46.2-825\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-825","metadata":false},{"id":366247,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-826","catch_line":"Stop before entering public highway or sidewalk from private road, etc.; yielding right-of-way","url":"\/46.2-826\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-826","metadata":false},{"id":366248,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-827","catch_line":"Right-of-way of United States forces, troops, National Guard, etc","url":"\/46.2-827\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-827","metadata":false},{"id":366251,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-828","catch_line":"Right-of-way for funeral processions under police or sheriff's escort; improper joining of, passing through, or interfering with processions prohibited; use of high beam headlights and hazard lights by vehicles traveling in funeral processions","url":"\/46.2-828\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-828","metadata":false},{"id":366249,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-828.1","catch_line":"Impeding or disrupting certain funeral processions; penalty","url":"\/46.2-828.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-828.1","metadata":false},{"id":366250,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-828.2","catch_line":"Impeding or disrupting vehicles operating under a valid highway hauling permit","url":"\/46.2-828.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-828.2","metadata":false},{"id":366252,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-829","catch_line":"Approach of law-enforcement or fire-fighting vehicles, rescue vehicles, or ambulances; violation as failure to yield right-of-way","url":"\/46.2-829\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-829","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":366241,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-820","catch_line":"Right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections, generally","url":"\/46.2-820\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-820","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":366243,"structure_id":52187,"section_number":"46.2-822","catch_line":"Right-of-way at circular intersections","url":"\/46.2-822\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-822","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-821\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 10 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1952, chapter 666; in 1954, chapter 137; in 1956, chapter 533; in 1958, chapter 541; in 1972, chapter 489; in 1974, chapter 347; in 1976, chapter 314; in 1985, chapter 218; in 1989, chapter 727; in 2013, chapters 128<\/a> and 400<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":366299,"section_number":"46.2-868.1","catch_line":"Aggressive driving; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-868.1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1457713,"object_type":"law","relational_id":366242,"identifier":"46.2-821","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-821","url":"\/46.2-821\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-821\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/2\/46.2-821","dublin_core":{"Title":"Vehicles before entering certain highways shall stop or yield right-of-way","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-821","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The driver<\/span> of a vehicle<\/span> approaching an intersection<\/span> on a highway<\/span> controlled by a stop sign shall, immediately before entering such intersection<\/span>, stop at a clearly marked stop line, or, in the absence of a stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk<\/span> on the near side of the intersection<\/span>, or, in the absence of a marked crosswalk<\/span>, stop at the point nearest the intersecting roadway<\/span> where the driver<\/span> has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway<\/span>. Before proceeding, he shall yield the right-of-way to the driver<\/span> of any vehicle<\/span> approaching on such other highway<\/span> from either direction.<\/p>

Where a “Yield Right-of-Way” sign is posted, the driver<\/span> of a vehicle<\/span> approaching or entering such intersection<\/span> shall slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions, yield the right-of-way to the driver<\/span> of another vehicle<\/span> approaching or entering such intersection<\/span> from another direction, and, if required for safety, shall stop at a clearly marked stop or yield line, or, in the absence of a stop or yield line, stop before entering the crosswalk<\/span> on the near side of the intersecting roadway<\/span> where the driver<\/span> has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway<\/span>, and shall yield the right-of-way to the driver<\/span> of any vehicle<\/span> approaching on such other highway<\/span> from either direction.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nVEHICLES BEFORE ENTERING CERTAIN HIGHWAYS SHALL STOP OR YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY (\u00a7\n46.2-821)\n\nThe driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection on a highway controlled by a\nstop sign shall, immediately before entering such intersection, stop at a\nclearly marked stop line, or, in the absence of a stop line, stop before\nentering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, in the absence\nof a marked crosswalk, stop at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where\nthe driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. Before\nproceeding, he shall yield the right-of-way to the driver of any vehicle\napproaching on such other highway from either direction.\n\nWhere a “Yield Right-of-Way” sign is posted, the driver of a vehicle\napproaching or entering such intersection shall slow down to a speed reasonable\nfor the existing conditions, yield the right-of-way to the driver of another\nvehicle approaching or entering such intersection from another direction, and,\nif required for safety, shall stop at a clearly marked stop or yield line, or,\nin the absence of a stop or yield line, stop before entering the crosswalk on\nthe near side of the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of\napproaching traffic on the intersecting roadway, and shall yield the\nright-of-way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from\neither direction.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 46-238, 46-255; 1952, c. 666; 1954, c. 137; 1956, c.\n533; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7\u00a7 46.1-221, 46.1-247; 1972, c. 489; 1974, c. 347; 1976, c.\n314; 1985, c. 218; 1989, c. 727; 2013, cc. 128, 400.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}