Are Driver Cages Required? A Guide to Industry Regulations and Compliance

Driver cages are a solution that checks many boxes regarding warehouse safety and security. But are they actually required? The short answer is: it depends. Let’s break it down.

What Are Driver Cages?

Before diving into the legalities, let’s talk basics. Driver cages are secure, enclosed areas typically installed near a facility's receiving or shipping entrance. They’re designed to restrict access and protect both employees and visitors. At WireCrafters, our driver cages are made from durable wire mesh partitions and can be customized with service windows, benches, signage, and even electronic access control for added security.

Are They Legally Required?

There isn’t a single federal law requiring every facility to have a driver cage. However, several regulations and best practices across industries strongly support their use.

1. OSHA General Duty Clause

OSHA doesn’t explicitly require driver cages, but under the General Duty Clause, employers must provide a workplace "free from recognized hazards." That includes unauthorized access to production areas, equipment, or hazardous materials. A driver cage helps meet that standard by keeping unsupervised visitors in a secure location.

2. C-TPAT & Supply Chain Security

If your company participates in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), secure perimeters and controlled access points are key to compliance. Driver cages help prevent tampering with shipments and unauthorized entry—two big red flags for C-TPAT inspectors.

3. Food & Pharmaceutical Facilities

In industries where contamination or theft could have serious consequences—like food processing or pharmaceutical manufacturing—driver cages are often required by internal policies or customer audits. Some facilities even face third-party certification requirements (think SQF or FDA regulations), where controlled visitor access is non-negotiable.

4. Controlled Substances & High-Security Warehousing

If you’re storing controlled substances, medical equipment, or high-value products, driver cages might be required by the DEA or other regulatory bodies. And even if they’re not legally mandated, insurance companies often recommend or require them as part of your risk management plan.

It’s Not Just About Regulations

Even when a driver cage isn’t technically required, it’s often a smart move. Here’s why:

Visitor Accountability: Knowing who’s in your building and why matters. A driver cage with a sign-in sheet or electronic badge system keeps things organized and traceable.
Employee Safety: Warehouses are busy. Forklifts, conveyors, and machinery don’t mix well with unexpected foot traffic.
Theft Prevention: Unfortunately, not every visitor has good intentions. A secure entry point adds a layer of protection for your products and your people.

Why WireCrafters?

At WireCrafters, we’ve installed driver cages for just about every type of facility: distribution centers, manufacturing plants, pharmaceutical warehouses, and even government buildings. Our modular system means we can customize the layout to fit your space, whether you need a simple cage with a hinged door or a fully outfitted vestibule with access control and signage.

WireCrafters Driver Cage Service Window We design with flexibility in mind. Do we need to add a service window or relocate the cage later? No problem. We make safety and compliance easy to build into your daily operations.

So, are driver cages required? Not always. But given OSHA’s general safety expectations, industry-specific standards, and the everyday risks of an open warehouse, they’re often the best way to stay ahead of compliance and give everyone a little more peace of mind.

If you’re not sure whether your facility could benefit from a driver cage, let’s talk. Our team is happy to help walk you through your options.