A system and method of selectively carrying out a vehicle passive door lock function. The method carried out by the system includes: (a) detecting a vehicle operator's exit from a vehicle having at least one lockable door for passenger entry and exit, wherein the vehicle is configured to automatically carry out a passive operator departure process following the operator's exit, (b) determining whether the vehicle is at a lock function exempt location; (c) automatically carrying out the passive operator departure process in a first mode when it is determined that the vehicle is not at the exempt location; and (d) automatically carrying out the passive operator departure process in a second mode when it is determined that the vehicle is at the exempt location, wherein the second mode comprises at least one less door lock function than is carried out in the first mode.