What you actually need to start delivering for DoorDash

DoorDash requires four things before you can take your first order: a smartphone running iOS or Android, a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a Social Security number for a background check. You'll also need a way to carry food — a regular car trunk works, though DoorDash sells insulated bags for about $15 if you want one. The whole signup process takes about a week from start to finish, assuming your background check clears without delays.

The background check is the main variable. DoorDash uses a third-party company to pull your driving record and criminal history. Most people get cleared within 24 to 48 hours. If you have a recent moving violation, a DUI, or certain criminal convictions, you may be rejected — DoorDash publishes its full policy on their driver requirements page, and it's worth reading before you start if you're unsure.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a smartphone, valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a Social Security number; the background check typically takes one to three days.
  • DoorDash pays per delivery plus tips, with per-delivery pay usually between $2 and $10 depending on distance and demand in your area.
  • You're responsible for your own vehicle costs, insurance, and taxes — DoorDash does not cover these or withhold taxes from your pay.
  • You can start and stop whenever you want, but you'll only see orders in the app when you toggle "online" and you're in an active delivery zone.
  • Most drivers earn between $15 and $25 per hour before vehicle expenses, though this varies widely by location and time of day.

The signup process, step by step

read the DoorDash Driver app and tap "Sign Up." You'll enter your email, create a password, and provide your legal name, date of birth, and phone number. DoorDash will text you a verification code — enter it to move forward.

Next comes your driver's license information. You'll need the number, state, and expiration date. DoorDash will ask you to photograph both the front and back of your license using your phone camera. The photo needs to be clear enough to read — if it's blurry or cut off, the system will ask you to retake it.

Then you'll provide your Social Security number and address. This is when DoorDash runs your background check through a company called Checkr. You'll also need to upload proof of insurance — a photo of your insurance card works, and it needs to show your name, the vehicle you'll be driving, and that the policy is currently active.

Once you've submitted everything, you'll see a message saying your account is under review. This usually takes 24 to 48 hours. DoorDash will email you when the background check is complete. If you're cleared, you can open the app and start accepting orders when ready. If there's an issue, DoorDash will tell you why and may give you a chance to appeal or provide more information.

What DoorDash actually pays and how it works

DoorDash pays you per delivery, not per hour. The base pay for each order ranges from about $2 to $10, depending on how far you have to drive and how busy DoorDash is in your area at that moment. On top of the base pay, customers can tip you through the app — tips usually add $1 to $5 per delivery, though some customers tip more and some tip nothing.

You see the base pay and customer tip before you accept an order, so you can choose which deliveries to take. If a delivery shows $3 base pay and no tip, you can decline it. If another shows $4 base pay and a $6 tip, you can take that one instead. This is how DoorDash drivers manage their earnings — by being selective about which orders they accept.

DoorDash deposits your earnings into your bank account every week, usually on Wednesday or Thursday. You can also cash out when ready using the "Fast Pay" feature, which charges a $0.50 fee per transfer. Your earnings are reported to the IRS on a Form 1099-NEC, which means you're responsible for paying your own taxes — DoorDash does not withhold anything.

Vehicle costs and insurance you need to know about

DoorDash does not reimburse you for gas, maintenance, or wear and tear on your vehicle. You keep whatever you earn after tips, but you're responsible for all the costs of running your car. If you drive 10,000 miles a month for DoorDash, that's 10,000 miles of depreciation, oil changes, tire wear, and fuel that come out of your pocket.

Your personal auto insurance must cover commercial use — delivering food for money. Many standard personal policies do not. Before you start, call your insurance company and tell them you'll be using your car for food delivery. Some insurers will add a commercial rider for $10 to $30 per month. Others will refuse to cover you or will drop you if they find out. It's worth asking before you start, not after you get in an accident.

DoorDash offers optional damage protection for $0.99 per delivery, which covers damage to customer orders (spilled food, broken items) but not damage to your vehicle or liability. This is separate from your insurance and covers a very specific thing — it's not a substitute for real insurance.

How to find and accept orders in your area

Once you're approved, open the DoorDash Driver app and toggle the "Online" button. The app will show you a map of your delivery zone — the area where DoorDash has orders available. You can only see and accept orders within this zone. If you drive outside it, the app will stop showing you new orders.

When a customer places an order, it appears in your app as a card showing the restaurant, the delivery address, the distance, and the pay. You have about 30 seconds to accept or decline before DoorDash offers it to another driver. If you accept, the app tells you which restaurant to go to, what items to pick up, and where to deliver them.

You drive to the restaurant, park, go inside, and tell them you're picking up a DoorDash order. They'll have the food ready (or you'll wait for it). You take the order, get back in your car, and drive to the customer's address. When you arrive, you take a photo of the food at their door, mark the delivery complete in the app, and leave. The whole process usually takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on how busy the restaurant is and how far you have to drive.

Scheduling and flexibility — what you can actually control

You can work whenever you want. There's no schedule, no minimum hours, and no penalty for not working. Open the app, go online, and you'll start seeing orders. Close the app or toggle offline, and the orders stop. You could work Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or just weekends, or just dinner rush hours — it's entirely up to you.

The catch is that earnings vary dramatically by time and location. Lunch and dinner hours (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) are usually busier and pay more. Late night and early morning are slower. Weekends are typically busier than weekdays. If you live in a dense urban area, you'll see more orders and shorter delivery distances. If you live in a rural area, you might see fewer orders and longer drives.

DoorDash also runs promotions in some areas — "Peak Pay" adds extra money per delivery during slow times, and "Challenges" offer bonuses if you complete a certain number of deliveries in a week. These vary by location and change frequently, so check the app to see what's available in your area.

What happens if you get deactivated

DoorDash can deactivate your account if your acceptance rate drops too low, if you cancel too many orders after accepting them, or if you get multiple customer complaints about late deliveries or missing items. You can also be deactivated for safety violations — things like reckless driving, being under the influence, or violating local traffic laws.

If you're deactivated, DoorDash will email you explaining why. You can appeal the decision, and DoorDash will review your case. Some deactivations are permanent; others can be reversed if you show you've addressed the problem. The appeal process usually takes a few days to a week.

Taxes and what you owe at the end of the year

DoorDash treats you as an independent contractor, which means you're self-employed. You owe federal income tax, self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare), and possibly state income tax on your earnings. DoorDash will send you a Form 1099-NEC in January showing how much you earned the previous year, but they don't withhold anything from your pay.

You can deduct vehicle expenses from your taxable income. You can either deduct actual expenses (gas, maintenance, insurance, depreciation) or use the IRS standard mileage rate, which was $0.67 per mile in 2024 (this changes yearly). Most delivery drivers find the standard mileage deduction simpler — you just track how many miles you drove for DoorDash and multiply by the rate.

It's worth setting aside 25 to 30 percent of what you earn for taxes, because you'll owe a lump sum when you file. Many drivers open a separate savings account and transfer a portion of each week's earnings into it so they're not caught off guard in April.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the background check take?

Most background checks clear within 24 to 48 hours. If there's something that needs review — a recent moving violation or a name mismatch — it can take a few days longer. DoorDash will email you when it's complete and tell you whether you're cleared to start.

Can I use someone else's car to deliver for DoorDash?

Technically yes, but the car's insurance must cover commercial delivery, and you need to be listed as an authorized driver on the policy. The car's owner should know you're using it for delivery, and their insurance company should know too. If you get in an accident and the insurer finds out you were delivering without permission or coverage, they can deny the claim.

What if I get in an accident while delivering?

Your personal auto insurance should cover it, assuming your policy includes commercial use. DoorDash's optional damage protection only covers damage to the food, not to your vehicle. Report the accident to your insurance company the same way you would any other accident. If the other driver was at fault, their insurance should cover your damages.

Do I have to accept every order that comes through?

No. You can decline as many orders as you want without penalty. Your acceptance rate is tracked and shown in your app, but there's no minimum you have to maintain. That said, if your acceptance rate drops very low (below 20 percent or so) and you're also canceling orders after accepting them, DoorDash may deactivate you for being unreliable.

Can I deliver for DoorDash and other apps at the same time?

Yes. Many drivers work for multiple delivery apps — DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, and others — to maximize their earnings and have more orders to choose from. You can toggle between apps and accept orders from whichever one pays best at any given moment. Just make sure your insurance covers commercial delivery for all of them.