Your Rights as a FedEx Ground Driver

Know your rights, protect yourself, and stay compliant. STRIDE is here to provide you with clear, accurate information. Understand the laws, stand up for fairness.

Quick Reference: Your Essential Rights

  • Daily Rate Pay: Pay must meet minimum wage and overtime standards.
  • Hours of Service (HOS): 11-hour max driving time, 14-hour workday.
  • Breaks: Short-haul drivers do not need a break after 8 hours if under FMCSA exemption.
  • Medical Cards: DOT drivers over 10,001 lbs require valid medical certification.
  • Unsafe Work: Refusing unsafe conditions is protected under OSHA laws.
  • Accurate Logs: All work at terminals must be logged as on-duty time.
  • Retaliation: Illegal to punish you for reporting violations or logging time accurately.

1. Pay, Overtime, and Daily Rates

FedEx Ground drivers are often paid a daily rate (e.g., $200/day), but your total pay must still comply with federal and state laws:

  • Minimum Wage: Pay must equal or exceed federal minimum wage ($7.25/hr) for all hours worked.
  • Overtime Pay: If you work more than 40 hours per week, you are owed 1.5x your regular rate under FLSA law.
  • Violation Example: Working 12+ hours a day without extra pay may violate federal wage laws.

Note: Delivery drivers are considered non-exempt employees and entitled to overtime pay under FLSA rules.

2. Hours of Service (HOS) for DOT Drivers

  • 11-Hour Driving Limit: Max 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
  • 14-Hour Workday Limit: You cannot drive after 14 consecutive on-duty hours.
  • Break Rule (Short-Haul Exemption): Drivers staying within a 150 air-mile radius and working under 14 hours are exempt from the 30-minute break requirement.
  • Terminal Time: Time spent preparing for work at a terminal must be logged as on-duty not driving.

Example: If you spend an hour sorting packages before leaving, that hour is on-duty time.

3. Retaliation and Coercion Protections

It is illegal for contractors or managers to retaliate against you for asserting your rights or reporting violations. Retaliation includes:

  • Threats to revoke bonuses or assignments.
  • Firing or punishing drivers for refusing to falsify logs.
  • Coercion to ignore Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.

Protected By: - The Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) and - FLSA Anti-Retaliation Provisions.

4. Reporting Violations

How to File a Complaint

  1. Document Everything: Save messages, photos, and time logs.
  2. Report to FMCSA for Coercion: - Call: 1-800-DOT-SAFT - File Online: FMCSA Complaint Database
  3. Report Unsafe Work Conditions to OSHA: - Call: 1-800-321-OSHA - File Online: OSHA.gov
  4. Report Wage Violations to WHD: - Call: 1-866-4US-WAGE - File Online: WHD Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I’m told not to log terminal time?

Log it anyway. FMCSA regulations require all time spent preparing for work to be recorded as on-duty time. You cannot be forced to falsify logs.

Am I exempt from breaks?

If you meet the short-haul exemption (150 air-miles, under 14 hours), you are exempt from the 30-minute break rule.

What do I do if I face retaliation?

Retaliation is illegal. Document everything and report it to the FMCSA, OSHA, or WHD depending on the violation.

Tools and Downloads

Daily Wage Log Template
Vehicle Inspection Checklist

Need Help or Have Questions?

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