Driving for a food delivery service as an independent contractor offers a flexible path to earning income. This arrangement requires individuals to meet specific criteria related to age, vehicle ownership, legal compliance, and technical readiness. This guide outlines every requirement, from the foundational age standard to the final application steps.
The Minimum Age Requirement
The fundamental age requirement to partner with Grubhub is a minimum of 18 years old in most operational markets. Certain local regulations can impose higher limits; for instance, in specific markets like Las Vegas, Nevada, the minimum age requirement is 21 years old.
Drivers must be at least 21 years of age to accept and complete any delivery that includes alcohol. This age stipulation is based on legal mandates, ensuring compliance with state and local laws concerning the sale and delivery of restricted items.
Essential Driver and Vehicle Eligibility
Securing approval to drive for Grubhub involves meeting several legal and logistical standards related to both the driver and the vehicle used for deliveries. As an independent contractor, the driver is personally responsible for ensuring the vehicle and all necessary documentation remain compliant with both state law and company policy.
Valid Driver’s License
Applicants must possess a valid, non-commercial driver’s license that is current and legally issued in the state of operation. For those who meet the minimum age of 18, Grubhub commonly requires that the license has been valid for at least two years. This experience requirement helps to ensure that the newest drivers have a foundational history of driving.
Auto Insurance and Registration
Mandatory auto insurance is a requirement for any driver using a motorized vehicle to deliver for the platform. The driver must maintain coverage that meets or exceeds the minimum liability limits set by their state’s laws. Drivers should recognize that their personal auto insurance policy may not cover accidents that occur while they are engaged in commercial activity, making supplemental or commercial coverage a valuable consideration.
Acceptable Vehicle Types
Grubhub offers flexibility in the types of vehicles that can be used for delivery. Acceptable forms of transportation include a car, truck, van, scooter, or motorcycle. In some urban or highly dense markets, drivers may also be permitted to complete deliveries using a bicycle. All motorized vehicles must be in good working condition and roadworthy to ensure reliability during service.
Understanding the Background Check Process
After meeting the initial criteria, all applicants must successfully pass a comprehensive background check before being activated on the platform. This screening is conducted by a third-party consumer reporting agency, such as Checkr, and includes two primary components: criminal history and the motor vehicle record (MVR). The check ensures the safety of customers and the public.
The criminal history screening looks for convictions of serious offenses, including crimes involving violence, theft, or drug-related felonies. The MVR screening reviews the applicant’s driving record for major violations, such as a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) within the past seven years. Disqualifications can also occur for a high number of minor moving violations within a shorter timeframe. The entire process may extend to several days depending on the speed of record retrieval and verification.
Necessary Technical and Equipment Requirements
Performing deliveries efficiently requires the use of specialized tools, starting with a compatible mobile device. Drivers must own a smartphone (iPhone running iOS 11+ or Android 5.0+) and maintain a reliable data plan to connect to the official Grubhub driver application.
The driver application is the central hub for all work activity, used for accepting delivery offers, navigating, and tracking earnings. Drivers need proper insulated equipment to maintain the quality and temperature of the food during transit. While drivers are permitted to use their own thermal carriers, Grubhub often provides insulated warming bags to new delivery partners.
The Step-by-Step Application Process
The journey to becoming a delivery partner begins with the online sign-up, which is most conveniently initiated by downloading the official Grubhub for Drivers application. Within the app, the prospective driver creates a profile and submits basic personal information, including their name, contact details, and the specific market they wish to operate in. This initial step is followed by the submission of required documentation.
Applicants must upload clear images of their driver’s license and proof of current auto insurance to verify their legal eligibility. Once the documents are submitted, the applicant must electronically authorize the third-party background check to begin the screening process. After the background and MVR checks are successfully completed and approved, the final step involves an online onboarding or orientation process, which provides instructions on how to use the app and manage deliveries.