FedEx Driveway Policy (All You Need to Know)

These days, getting a package delivered is more stressful than ever. Not only do customers have to worry about shipping delays, but they also have to think about protecting their new items from porch pirates.

Unfortunately, there’s another issue to be aware of. Many FedEx customers have reported getting packages delivered to their driveway instead of to their front door. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at FedEx’s driveway policy and what you can do to keep packages safe!

What Is the FedEx Driveway Policy In 2024?

FedEx drivers are instructed to deliver packages to an area protected from the eyes of possible thieves or from bad weather in 2024. Still, drivers have the last say about the delivery location. As a result, packages may be left in a driveway if the driveway is too long or unsafe. Customers can request changes using the Delivery Manager tool.

There’s a lot more to know about FedEx’s driveway delivery policy, so be sure to keep reading for more useful facts and tips!

Where Is FedEx Supposed to Leave Packages?

In general, FedEx drivers are instructed to leave packages at the door or in a protected area.

Ideally, packages should be hidden from street view (so as not to tempt thieves) and should be placed in a covered location, so they’re protected from the weather.

What’s more, if a shipment requires an indirect, direct, or adult signature, the driver will leave a door tag at the recipient’s door if no one is available to sign.

Is FedEx Allowed to Leave Packages in the Driveway?

While FedEx’s policy is to have packages delivered to a relatively hidden and protected area, that may not always be possible.

Ultimately, drivers have the final say about the delivery location.

As a result, some packages may get left in a driveway if the driver is in a rush and/or cannot quickly find an accessible place to deposit the item.

To put it another way, FedEx doesn’t encourage driveway deliveries, but the company doesn’t exactly condemn them, either.

Why Does FedEx Leave Packages at the End of the Driveway?

Having packages delivered to your driveway can be annoying and frustrating for many reasons, especially if you’re unsure why this keeps happening.

Below, we’ve listed some potential reasons why your packages are getting left in your driveway instead of at your front door:

1. One of the most common reasons a driver will leave a package in a driveway is because the driveway is long (i.e. more than a quarter-mile).

In most cases, FedEx drivers have less than a minute to complete each stop. Therefore, they simply don’t have the time to drive up a long driveway, deposit the package, then back out.

Driveways that are blocked by a gate or that do not have a turnaround area often lead to driveway deliveries as well.

As with the last example, FedEx drivers simply don’t have the time to navigate complicated delivery areas.

2. Another reason packages may be left in a driveway is because the driveway presents a safety issue.

This includes driveways that are unshoveled or unplowed or those that are blocked by plants.

Having a dog is another safety issue that may lead to driveway deliveries. If your dog is loose in your yard, FedEx won’t deliver to your front door out of precaution for the driver.

Besides these justifiable reasons, there are some FedEx drivers who are simply negligent and fail to deliver packages with care.

How Can I Stop FedEx From Delivering to My Driveway?

As a first step, create a FedEx Delivery Manager account. This online tool allows you to add instructions for your deliveries.

For example, you can add a note indicating that you’d like packages delivered to your front door or porch.

As long as your driveway is safe, there’s a good chance that making a request will fix your driveway delivery problem.

However, if it doesn’t, you can call FedEx customer service at 1 (800) 463-3339 to request the phone number for your local terminal.

Once you have that number, you can make your request over the phone.

Can You File a Complaint If FedEx Leaves a Package in Your Driveway?

If your packages keep getting left in your driveway, there’s a good chance that you’re angry and want to file a complaint.

Before you do, we recommend submitting your request using the Delivery Manager tool.

Many customers have been able to resolve their driveway delivery issues by using this tool to request a front door delivery.

It’s also a good idea to take stock of your property before filing a complaint. Ask yourself if your driveway is clear and accessible and if there are any animals around your property.

Fixing these issues may convince your local driver to deliver to your front door without you having to go through the hassle of filing a complaint.

Still, neither of these are perfect solutions. If the issue persists, call 1(800) Go FedEx to file a complaint over the phone.

When you do, give as much information as possible.

This includes providing the tracking number, the date of delivery, and a description of the incident (including photo or video evidence if available).

Essentially, the more information you can provide, the stronger your case and the better your chances of winning the complaint will be.

To learn more, you can also read our posts on FedEx claim for late delivery, how fast is FedEx Ground, and FedEx shipping zones.

Conclusion

FedEx should deliver packages to your front door; however, this isn’t always possible. Indeed, drivers have the leeway to leave packages in a driveway if they have safety concerns about your property.

As a first response, we recommend taking stock of your property and verifying that your delivery location is accessible. It’s also a good idea to leave a note requesting front door delivery in the FedEx Delivery Manager tool. Still, you can file a complaint if these tips don’t fix the issue.