The question of whether two Instacart shoppers can use the same car has a simple answer: yes, they can share the physical vehicle, but they must operate as two completely distinct contractors. Sharing a car is possible, but delegating the shopping or delivery duties to an unauthorized person is strictly forbidden. The distinction lies in the use of the shopper account and who is performing the work.
Instacart’s Policy on Account Usage
Instacart’s Terms of Service (TOS) state that a shopper account is personal and non-transferable, designed for use only by the individual who registered it. Each full-service shopper must pass a comprehensive background check before being approved to accept batches. This screening process verifies identity, criminal history, and driving record to protect customers and the platform. Any form of delegation, where the registered shopper permits an unauthorized person to execute tasks tied to their account, constitutes a direct violation of the independent contractor agreement.
The Crucial Difference Between Carpooling and Account Delegation
Differentiating between carpooling and delegation is essential for understanding the company’s rules. Carpooling, where two separate, fully approved Instacart shoppers, each using their own active account, share a ride to the grocery store, is not explicitly prohibited. Both individuals maintain control over their own application, accept their own batches, and perform their work independently, merely sharing transportation. Delegation, conversely, occurs when a single shopper is logged into the app but another individual assists with the actual shopping or delivery. Instacart’s policy is firm that the registered shopper must be the one performing the services, including the in-store shopping, checkout, and final delivery.
Operational Friction: Scheduling and Route Coordination
Assuming two distinct shoppers are using one car, the logistical challenges of coordinating their work quickly make the arrangement impractical. Each shopper must independently accept a batch, meaning their respective delivery windows must align with the shared vehicle’s schedule. The Instacart app assigns batches based on various factors, making it difficult for two shoppers in the same car to consistently receive orders originating from the same store and destined for the same localized delivery area. This shared transportation model creates timing constraints, as the second shopper must wait for the first to complete their entire process, including the delivery drop-off. Attempting to run two batches simultaneously introduces unnecessary downtime and limits the earning potential of both individuals.
Legal and Deactivation Risks of Non-Compliance
The consequence for violating the account usage policy is immediate deactivation from the Instacart platform. Instacart utilizes algorithmic and human review processes to detect patterns of unauthorized co-shopping or account access. Once the decision is made, the shopper receives little recourse, resulting in the permanent loss of income from the platform. Liability issues also arise when an unauthorized assistant is involved. Since Instacart’s insurance policies are tied to the registered independent contractor, any accident, injury, or damage caused by the non-registered helper during a delivery may not be covered. The registered shopper becomes solely responsible for any claims or damages that occur while the unauthorized individual is performing the service.
Practical Challenges of Staging Two Orders in One Vehicle
Beyond the scheduling difficulties, physically staging two separate large orders in a single standard vehicle presents substantial logistical hurdles. A single car trunk has limited space, and two full-service batches can easily overwhelm the capacity, especially if bulk items are involved. Furthermore, maintaining the cold chain for two distinct orders requires double the insulated bags and cooling materials to keep refrigerated and frozen items separate and at safe temperatures until both deliveries are complete. The most common issue is the high risk of cross-contamination or mix-ups, where bags from one customer are accidentally delivered to the other. Having two sets of groceries for two different shoppers significantly multiplies the complexity of organization during the loading, transport, and final delivery stages.
Financial and Tax Considerations
Two independent contractors sharing a vehicle must meticulously handle the financial and tax complexities of their arrangement. As gig workers, they are required to report income and expenses on Schedule C of their federal tax return. The most significant vehicle deduction is mileage, calculated either using the IRS standard mileage rate or the actual expenses method. The challenge lies in accurately tracking business mileage for each person when both are in the car. Only the miles driven for that individual’s business purpose are deductible, necessitating a rigorous, separate mileage log for each shopper detailing the start and end points for every batch. Furthermore, splitting shared costs like gas, maintenance, and insurance requires precise documentation and agreement to ensure accurate reporting of expenses on each person’s tax forms.
Compliant Ways to Partner on Instacart Jobs
Individuals who wish to work together on Instacart can do so compliantly by ensuring both are fully approved, registered shoppers, or by limiting the assistant’s role. The most straightforward compliant method is for both individuals to complete the application process, pass the background check, and operate entirely separate accounts. Ideally, they would drive separate cars and coordinate their work geographically, allowing them to complement each other’s shifts rather than sharing logistics. A second approach involves one person acting as the registered shopper and the partner acting strictly as a driver or navigator who does not touch the app, shop for groceries, or interact with customers regarding the order. In this arrangement, the registered shopper must perform all the core service tasks, ensuring the individual who passed the background check is the one accountable for the work. Any assistance beyond driving and non-shopping navigation risks violating the account access guidelines.