Signing up to deliver for DoorDash takes about 10 minutes online, though the full process from application to your first delivery can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on your background check and whether DoorDash needs drivers in your area. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.
What You Need Before You Apply
DoorDash requires a few basics from every new Dasher. Gather these before you start the application so you can move through it quickly:
- Age requirement: You must be at least 18 in most states. The minimum is 19 in a handful of states including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, and Texas. In California, you must be at least 21.
- A valid driver’s license: Required if you plan to deliver by car. If you’re delivering by bike or scooter, you may not need one, but you’ll still need a government-issued ID.
- Social Security number: DoorDash uses this solely to run a background check. You’re signing up as an independent contractor, so your SSN is also tied to tax reporting.
- A smartphone: You’ll need an iPhone or Android device to download and use the Dasher app.
- A vehicle: Any car works, even a two-door. In many cities, you can also deliver by bicycle, scooter, or motorcycle.
You do not need commercial insurance or a special license. DoorDash does not have specific vehicle year or condition requirements for personal cars.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Start by visiting the Dasher signup page at dasher.doordash.com or downloading the DoorDash Dasher app directly from your phone’s app store. You’ll enter your name, email address, phone number, and the zip code where you want to deliver. The zip code matters because DoorDash manages driver availability by local market, so choose the area where you actually plan to dash.
Next, you’ll provide your Social Security number and consent to a background check. This check reviews your driving record (including accidents and violations) and your criminal history. DoorDash screens for disqualifying offenses such as DUIs, felonies, violent crimes, and sexual offenses. The background check is handled by a third-party company and typically takes three to five days, though it can occasionally take longer.
Once you’re approved, DoorDash will prompt you to set up your payment method. You’ll link a bank account or debit card so you can receive your earnings through direct deposit or the fast-pay feature.
Your Activation Kit and Red Card
After approval, DoorDash sends you an activation kit in the mail. It includes three things: a DoorDash-branded insulated delivery bag, a Red Card (a prepaid payment card), and a short welcome pamphlet with setup instructions.
The Red Card is used to pay for orders at certain restaurants where DoorDash doesn’t have a direct billing arrangement. Before you can start accepting deliveries, you need to activate the Red Card inside the Dasher app. The app walks you through this, and it only takes a minute. Some Dashers report being able to start dashing before the physical kit arrives, since the app now lets you add a virtual Red Card, but having the insulated bag makes deliveries much easier and helps keep food at the right temperature.
What Happens if You Hit a Waitlist
DoorDash doesn’t always need more drivers in every area. If your market is already saturated, you’ll see a message saying you’ve been added to the waitlist. This is more common in rural areas and smaller towns than in large metro areas where demand stays high.
Wait times vary wildly. Some people get off the list within days, while others report waiting months or even longer. If you’re stuck on the waitlist, you have a few options. Try signing up with a different zip code in a nearby area that might have more demand. You can also call DoorDash support and ask which nearby markets have openings. Another approach is to get a referral link from someone who already dashes, as some drivers report that using a referral code helped them bypass the waitlist entirely.
New Dasher Promotions
DoorDash periodically offers incentives to new drivers, though these vary by market and aren’t guaranteed. The most common is a Bonus Boost, which adds extra pay per delivery during your first stretch of dashing. When a Bonus Boost is active, the additional amount is folded into the total pay shown on each delivery offer, so you can see exactly what you’ll earn before you accept.
DoorDash also runs Peak Pay promotions during busy times like dinner rushes and weekends. These add a set dollar amount per delivery on top of your base pay. As a new Dasher, you’ll see these promotions highlighted in the app, and stacking them with any new-driver bonuses can make your first few weeks more profitable than usual.
Getting on the Road
Once your background check clears, your Red Card is activated, and your payment method is set up, you’re ready to dash. Open the Dasher app, tap “Dash Now” (or schedule a dash for a future time slot), and you’ll start receiving delivery offers in your area. Each offer shows the restaurant name, the estimated distance, and the guaranteed minimum pay so you can decide whether to accept or decline.
Your first few deliveries will feel slower as you learn the app and figure out pickup procedures at different restaurants. Most new Dashers find their rhythm within the first week. You’re an independent contractor, so there are no required hours or shifts. You can dash for 30 minutes on a lunch break or eight hours on a Saturday, and you can stop whenever you want.