Becoming a DoorDash driver (called a “Dasher”) takes about a week from signup to your first delivery. You’ll need to meet a minimum age requirement, pass a background check, and have a vehicle with valid insurance. The entire process is handled through the DoorDash app, and there’s no interview or training session to attend.
Age and Eligibility Requirements
The minimum age to dash varies by state. In most states, you need to be at least 18. However, several states require you to be 19, including Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia. California requires new applicants to be at least 21.
Beyond age, you need a valid driver’s license (if you’re delivering by car), a Social Security number for your background check, and personal auto insurance that meets your state’s minimum coverage requirements. There are no specific vehicle requirements. You can use any car in running condition. Depending on your area, DoorDash may also let you deliver by motorcycle, bike, e-bike, or scooter.
The Signup Process
Everything starts on the DoorDash website or app. Here’s what the onboarding looks like:
- Create your account. Enter your zip code, email, phone number, full name, and a password.
- Download the Dasher app. Available on iPhone and Android. You’ll finish the rest of the signup from the app.
- Select your vehicle type. Car, bike, scooter, or motorcycle, depending on what’s available in your market.
- Verify your identity. Upload a photo of a valid government ID and take a selfie so DoorDash can match your face to the ID.
- Submit to a background check. This reviews your driving record and criminal history. Most checks finish within a day, but some take up to a week or longer.
- Set up your payment method. You’ll choose between getting paid instantly after each dash or receiving weekly direct deposits.
- Confirm your address for the welcome kit. DoorDash sends a free starter package that includes a Red Card, a prepaid card you’ll use on certain orders where you shop for and purchase items before delivering them.
Once your background check clears, you can start accepting delivery offers immediately. There’s no required orientation or waiting period after approval.
What You’ll Need Before Your First Delivery
DoorDash doesn’t require much gear, but a few things will make a real difference. An insulated thermal bag keeps food warm and prevents spills. DoorDash’s welcome kit is basic, and many experienced Dashers buy a larger, sturdier bag on their own for around $15 to $30. A phone mount for your car dashboard is practically essential since you’ll be navigating through the app constantly.
On the insurance side, DoorDash requires you to carry personal auto insurance that meets your state’s minimum limits. Your standard personal policy may not cover you while you’re making deliveries, so it’s worth checking with your insurance provider about rideshare or commercial endorsements. DoorDash does maintain some liability coverage during the period between accepting a delivery and marking it complete, but damage to your own vehicle is your responsibility.
How Pay Works
DoorDash pays per delivery, not per hour. Each offer you see in the app shows an estimated payout before you accept it, so you can decide whether the trip is worth your time. Your earnings on a given delivery come from three sources: base pay from DoorDash, the customer’s tip, and any active promotions.
Base pay is DoorDash’s portion and varies by order based on factors like distance, estimated time, and how desirable the order is. Short, quick deliveries pay less base pay than longer or more complex ones. Tips are added on top and go entirely to you. Customers can tip before placing their order or after delivery, and you’ll get a notification if a tip comes in after the fact.
DoorDash also runs promotions to boost pay during busy periods. “Peak Pay” adds a flat bonus per delivery during high-demand windows like Friday dinner or bad weather. You’ll see these bonuses highlighted on the app’s map before you start dashing.
How much you actually earn depends heavily on your market, the hours you work, and which orders you accept. Dinner rushes and weekends tend to be the most profitable. Many Dashers track their per-hour earnings after expenses and aim to only accept orders above a certain dollar threshold to keep their hourly rate up.
Minimum Pay Rules in Some Cities
A handful of cities have passed laws requiring delivery apps to pay drivers a minimum hourly rate for active delivery time, regardless of how many orders come in. New York City, for example, requires apps like DoorDash to pay at least $22.13 per hour (not including tips) for time spent preparing and making deliveries. These local minimums are separate from and higher than what DoorDash’s standard pay model would generate on its own. If you dash in a city with these rules, your base earnings floor is significantly higher.
Taxes and Expenses to Plan For
DoorDash classifies Dashers as independent contractors, not employees. That means no taxes are withheld from your earnings. You’re responsible for paying federal income tax and self-employment tax (which covers Social Security and Medicare) on your net profit. If you expect to owe more than $1,000 in taxes for the year, you’ll need to make quarterly estimated payments to the IRS to avoid penalties.
The upside of contractor status is that you can deduct business expenses. The biggest one for most Dashers is mileage. The IRS lets you deduct a standard rate per mile driven for business purposes, which covers gas, wear and tear, and depreciation. Keep a mileage log from day one, either manually or through a tracking app. You can also deduct your phone bill (the portion used for work), thermal bags, and other supplies you buy specifically for dashing.
At year’s end, DoorDash sends you a 1099-NEC form if you earned $600 or more. This reports your gross earnings to the IRS. You’ll use it when filing your tax return, and you’ll report your expenses on Schedule C to calculate your actual taxable profit.
Choosing When and Where to Dash
One of the main draws of DoorDash is schedule flexibility. You can open the app and start dashing anytime your zone is busy, or you can schedule shifts in advance to guarantee access during peak hours. Scheduling is especially useful in crowded markets where too many Dashers are already online.
Your zone matters more than you might expect. Suburban areas with spread-out restaurants may mean longer drives between orders. Dense urban areas offer more orders per hour but come with parking headaches and apartment building navigation. Many Dashers experiment with different neighborhoods and times of day before settling into a routine that maximizes their earnings per hour after accounting for gas and mileage.
DoorDash also offers “Large Order Program” and catering deliveries for experienced Dashers with high ratings. These orders pay more but require a larger vehicle and a track record of reliable service. As you build up completed deliveries and maintain a strong customer rating, you may unlock access to these higher-paying opportunities.