The ability for a 17-year-old to deliver food involves navigating a complex intersection of federal labor law, state driving restrictions, and specific company policies. The answer is generally yes, but significant legal and contractual barriers exist that make the opportunity much more limited than for an adult. Understanding the combination of factors—including the nature of the employment (W-2 vs. contractor) and the type of driver’s license held—is necessary to determine if a delivery job is permissible.
Understanding General Child Labor Laws at 17
Federal regulations governing youth employment are established under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). For 17-year-olds, these rules are less restrictive than for younger teens, generally imposing no limitations on the number of hours they can work. The main constraint is the prohibition on working in occupations deemed “hazardous.” Driving a motor vehicle is one such hazardous occupation generally prohibited for minors under 18.
The FLSA provides a limited exception allowing 17-year-olds to drive cars or small trucks for work if several strict conditions are met. The driving must be “occasional and incidental” to the employment, meaning it cannot exceed one-third of the workday or 20% of the workweek. Furthermore, the driving must be limited to daylight hours and cannot involve urgent, time-sensitive deliveries.
State-Specific Driving and Licensing Requirements
State-level driving laws often impose further limitations, even where federal law allows driving for work. Most states issue a Provisional or Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) to new drivers under 18, which comes with specific restrictions that directly impact delivery work feasibility.
Common GDL restrictions include a curfew, often prohibiting driving between midnight and 5 a.m. These state laws also limit the number of non-family member passengers allowed in the vehicle, particularly during the first few months of licensing. These curfews and passenger limits are often incompatible with the evening and weekend hours of peak food delivery demand. Some state laws may also explicitly prohibit the use of a GDL for commercial purposes.
Age Requirements for Major Gig Economy Platforms
The largest barrier involves the policies of major gig economy platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. These companies classify drivers as independent contractors, not W-2 employees. To enter into an independent contractor agreement, an individual must have the legal capacity to contract, which is generally 18 years old in most states.
Virtually all major delivery apps require applicants to be a minimum of 18 years old to sign up, even where the state driving age is lower. Some platforms raise this minimum age to 19 or 21 in specific states due to regional regulations or insurance considerations. This contractual requirement means company policy is a more significant hurdle than federal or state driving laws for 17-year-olds seeking delivery work.
Delivering for Local Restaurants and Pizzerias (W-2 Employment)
Delivering food at 17 is more viable through traditional W-2 employment with local businesses, such as pizzerias or Chinese takeout restaurants. In this model, the local restaurant acts as the direct employer and is responsible for complying with all labor and driving regulations. The restaurant must ensure the job structure adheres to the federal FLSA exception for 17-year-old drivers, requiring driving to be occasional, incidental, and limited to daylight hours.
While legally possible, the employer must also account for state GDL restrictions, which often makes hiring a 17-year-old difficult for evening shifts. The business must structure the minor’s schedule around driving curfews and passenger limitations, which can be logistically challenging for high-demand delivery operations. Furthermore, the employer assumes liability associated with the minor’s driving, which some smaller businesses may be unwilling to risk.
Essential Insurance and Liability Considerations
Vehicle insurance is a final obstacle, regardless of age or employment type. Standard personal auto insurance policies exclude business use, meaning they will not cover damages or liability if an accident occurs during paid food delivery. Insurance companies view delivery work as a higher risk activity than personal driving, necessitating a different type of coverage.
To be properly covered, a driver must obtain a commercial auto insurance policy or add a specific business-use rider to their personal policy. Using a personal vehicle without the appropriate commercial coverage leaves the driver financially exposed to the full cost of property damage and injury liability in the event of an accident. This requirement applies equally to 17-year-olds and adults.