What you need before you start

DoorDash requires you to meet basic legal and vehicle requirements before you can begin delivering. You'll need to be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a vehicle registered in your name. The company also runs a background check, which typically takes three to five business days.

If you plan to deliver by car, your vehicle must be at least 20 model years old (so a 2004 or newer as of 2024, though this changes yearly). Motorcycle and bicycle deliveries have different requirements — motorcycles must be street-legal and insured, and bicycles have no vehicle age restriction. You'll also need a smartphone with either iOS or Android to use the DoorDash driver app.

Have your Social Security number ready. DoorDash uses it for the background check and tax reporting. You'll also need a valid email address and a phone number where DoorDash can reach you.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be 18 or older with a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a vehicle registered in your name to start the sign-up process.
  • The online process takes about 10 minutes, but DoorDash's background check typically takes three to five business days before you can accept orders.
  • You'll upload documents directly through the DoorDash driver app, including your license, insurance card, and vehicle registration.
  • Once approved, you can set your own schedule and start accepting deliveries in your area within hours of background clearance.

The online process: step by step

Go to dasher.doordash.com and click "Sign Up" to begin. Enter your email address and create a password. DoorDash will send you a verification code to your email — check your inbox and spam folder, then enter the code on the website.

Fill in your personal information: full name, date of birth, phone number, and address. This is where DoorDash verifies you're 18 or older and checks your location against areas where the company operates. If your area doesn't have active deliveries, you won't be able to proceed.

Next, you'll select your delivery method: car, motorcycle, or bicycle. This choice determines which documents you'll need to upload. For car delivery, you'll also enter your vehicle's make, model, year, and license plate number.

The process itself takes about 10 minutes. You're not done yet — this is just the start of the verification process.

Uploading your documents

After you complete the online form, DoorDash will ask you to upload documents through the driver app. read the DoorDash Driver app from your phone's app store, log in with the email and password you just created, and navigate to the document upload section.

For car delivery, you'll upload four documents: your driver's license (front and back), proof of insurance, vehicle registration, and a photo of your vehicle. The insurance and registration must be current — expired documents will be rejected. Take clear photos in good lighting; blurry or partially cut-off images cause rejections and delays.

For motorcycle delivery, you'll upload your driver's license, motorcycle insurance, motorcycle registration, and a photo of the motorcycle. Bicycle delivery requires only your driver's license and a photo of yourself with your bicycle.

Upload all documents at once if possible. DoorDash reviews them in the order they're received, and incomplete applications can sit in queue longer.

The background check and approval timeline

Once you've uploaded your documents, DoorDash runs a background check through a third-party screening company. This typically takes three to five business days, though it can take up to two weeks in some cases. You'll receive an email when the check is complete.

The background check looks for felony convictions, certain misdemeanors (especially driving-related offenses), and sex offender registry status. DoorDash publishes its full background check policy on its website, but the exact criteria that lead to rejection are not publicly detailed. If you're denied, DoorDash will tell you why and may offer an appeal process.

During this waiting period, you cannot accept orders. Your driver app will show a "pending" status. Some people see approval within 24 hours; others wait the full two weeks. There's no way to speed this up.

Setting up your payment and tax information

Before you can cash out your earnings, you need to add a bank account to your DoorDash account. In the driver app, go to Settings, then Account, then Payment Method. Enter your bank routing number and account number. DoorDash deposits your earnings weekly, usually on Wednesdays or Thursdays, depending on your bank's processing speed.

DoorDash will also ask for your tax information. You'll provide your legal name, address, and Social Security number (which you already gave during sign-up). DoorDash uses this to send you a 1099-NEC form at the end of the year for tax reporting. Keep records of your mileage and expenses — these are deductible on your taxes as a self-employed driver.

You can also set up DoorDash's optional when ready cash-out feature, which lets you withdraw your earnings daily for a small fee (usually $1.99 to $2.99 per withdrawal). This is not required, but many drivers use it to access money faster than the weekly deposit schedule.

Your first shift: what to expect

Once you're approved, you can open the driver app and go "online" to start receiving delivery offers. You don't have to work a set schedule — you choose when you're available. Tap "Dash Now" to start accepting orders when ready, or schedule a dash in advance for a specific time.

When you go online, the app shows you available orders in your area. Each order displays the pickup location, dropoff location, estimated distance, and payout. You can accept or decline any order. There's no penalty for declining, though accepting orders consistently helps DoorDash prioritize you for better-paying deliveries.

Your first few deliveries will feel slow as you learn the app and the pickup restaurants. Experienced dashers typically complete 3 to 5 deliveries per hour, depending on traffic and restaurant wait times. Your actual earnings depend on base pay, tips, and how many orders you complete.

Common reasons applications get rejected or delayed

The most frequent cause of rejection is a background check issue — usually a driving violation, not a criminal record. Speeding tickets and minor accidents typically don't disqualify you, but DUIs, reckless driving convictions, and license suspensions often do.

Document uploads fail when photos are blurry, cut off, expired, or don't match the name on your account. If your insurance or registration has a different name (a spouse's name, for example), DoorDash will reject it. The documents must be in your legal name.

Location is another common issue. DoorDash doesn't operate in all areas. If you live in a rural zone or a city where the company hasn't launched, you won't be able to sign up. Check dasher.doordash.com and enter your zip code to see if your area is active.

Vehicle age is a hard cutoff. If your car is older than the current year minus 20, you'll be rejected. For 2024, that means your car must be a 2004 or newer. This changes on January 1 each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the whole sign-up process take from start to finish?

The online process takes about 10 minutes. Document upload is another 5 to 10 minutes. The background check takes three to five business days on average, though it can stretch to two weeks. In total, plan for one to three weeks from the moment you start until you can accept your first order.

What if my background check gets rejected?

DoorDash will email you the reason for rejection. Some rejections are final, but others can be appealed. If you believe the information is wrong, you can contact DoorDash support through the driver app to request a review. The appeal process typically takes another week or two.

Do I need commercial insurance to drive for DoorDash?

No. Standard personal auto insurance is acceptable to DoorDash. However, some insurance companies exclude commercial delivery work from coverage, so check your policy or call your insurer to confirm you're covered while delivering. DoorDash also provides contingent liability coverage while you're actively on a delivery.

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

No. The vehicle must be registered in your name. DoorDash verifies this during the document upload process. If you want to use a different car later, you'll need to update your vehicle information in the app and upload new registration and insurance documents.

What happens if I don't get approved?

If rejected, DoorDash explains why in an email. If it's a background issue, you can wait and reapply after a certain period. If it's a document issue, you can resubmit corrected documents. If it's a location or vehicle age issue, those are permanent barriers unless you move or buy a newer car.