DoorDash Driver Requirements For 2024 [& How to Meet Them]

DoorDash is a delivery service that partners with restaurants, florists, liquor stores, and more to get products to people conveniently. With over 550,000 businesses partnered with the company, it’s the number one food and drink delivery app in the US!

The Doordash concept is simple: customers order food and other goods through the Doordash app, and then employees called ‘Dashers’ can earn money by accepting and delivering the products.

Becoming a Dasher is a great way to earn some extra cash, and the signup process is relatively easy to go through.

But, like any job, there are requirements you need to meet before you can sign up to become a DoorDash driver. This article will cover the following:

• The steps to becoming a Dasher
• Requirements for Doordash registration
• Maintaining your Dasher status.

Let’s dive right in.

Basic DoorDash Driver Requirements

Now you know how to sign up for Doordash, it is vital to also understand the requirements that need to be fulfilled to become a Dasher.

While you don’t need to have any prior delivery experience to become a Dasher, you do need at least 2 years of driving experience. You will also need a smartphone and a mode of transport – and there are a few important conditions that come with these.

Basic Personal Requirements

Doordash’s policy states that all Dashers must be at least 18 years old to apply. That makes it an excellent option for individuals who aren’t old enough to meet the driver requirements for Uber and Lyft (which, in most cities, is 21).

You must have no violent crime, sex offenses, theft, property damage, or other felonies on their record. An applicant’s driving record will also be checked, and the application will denied if they do not have a clean history.

Vehicle Requirements

DoorDash allows cars, motorbikes, scooters, and bikes as modes of delivery transport. Your choice of vehicle must meet state requirements to be suitable for use. Of course, these differ depending on the mode of transport you are using.

For Cars

If you are using a car with Doordash, all you will need is a valid US driver’s license and auto insurance that is in line with state laws.

Doordash does not stipulate how old, what make, or what condition your car needs to be. However, in order to make deliveries efficiently, you should have a reliable car that’s in good working condition.

For Motorbikes, Scooters, and Bikes

As mentioned above, you don’t have to Dash with a car! Doordash also allows motorbikes – and in some cities, bikes and scooters. Make sure to check whether you can Dash on a scooter or push bike in your area.

Keep in mind that you will need automotive insurance if you are using a motorbike. There are no Doordash requirements for scooters and bikes, but insurance is recommended to safeguard you if anything happens while on the job.

Smartphone Requirements

One of the primary requirements to be a Dasher is that you need a functional smartphone.

This is so you can use the Dasher app, which is how the entire platform and process works!

The app is where you will receive orders, be able to pay for products when picking them up, get directions to the delivery location, and receive payment as a Dasher.

There are no specific smartphone requirements; it simply needs to be able to run the app so you can access all of the necessary information.

Background Check

As mentioned in the previous section, you will need to undergo a background check during the application process.

DoorDash uses a program called Checkr when screening applicants to verify their identity. If you have any criminal offenses, driving violations, or other felonies on your record, your application will immediately be denied.

Insurance Requirements

As a company, DoorDash provides commercial auto insurance. Their policy covers up to $1 million USD in bodily injury or property damage for third parties.

This cover only applies to accidents that happen on an active delivery, which is when a Dasher has accepted and is carrying out a delivery.

However, your vehicle is your responsibility, and so you are liable to pay for any damage that occurs to it in the course of deliveries. As such, having auto insurance for your vehicle is one of the primary requirements.

Orientation and Onboarding

Once your application is accepted, you will need to attend an orientation before you can start delivering.

The orientation lasts for an hour and takes place at the Doordash home office closest to you. If there is no Doordash office nearby, you are also permitted to attend online.

In the orientation, you will learn everything you need to know to be a successful Dasher from how to use the app to pay for orders to getting in touch with the Doordash support team if an issue arises.

You will also receive an insulated food box and other Doordash-labeled bags to use when transporting and delivering.

Maintaining Dasher Status

Once you become a fully-fledged Dasher, you will be required to maintain a certain level of customer service and work ethic. If you do not keep to these standards, you may not be allowed to continue working with the company!

To start, you will need to maintain a driver rating of 4.2 or higher. This rating is calculated on customer feedback – so the better you do your job, the higher your score will be!

Dashers need to be able to communicate effectively with customers, represent the company well, and deliver orders efficiently and without incurring any damage.

Having a good driver rating will help you earn more money as well as help Doordash maintain a good reputation as a company. As such, it’s beneficial to both parties.

Doordash also carries out ongoing background checks to ensure that their dashers are driving and behaving safely in the community.

Therefore, if you are unable to keep a clean record while working as a Dasher, you will no longer be able to work for the company.