Delivering with DoorDash offers flexibility, often including the ability to work across different geographical areas. Dashers sometimes need to operate outside their usual territory, whether traveling for a short period or moving to a new city entirely. Understanding how to transition your work location is not always a simple matter of clicking a button in the app. The necessary steps depend entirely on whether the change is temporary or a permanent shift to a new base of operations.
Defining Your Dasher Location
A Dasher’s ability to work is determined by two distinct geographical parameters managed within the system. The first is the ‘Active Zone,’ which represents the specific, smaller area where the Dasher is currently logged in and accepting delivery requests. This zone dictates the immediate orders and scheduling availability visible on the Dasher app interface. The second is the ‘Permanent Base Location,’ which is the larger geographic region or metropolitan area tied to the Dasher’s initial application. This base location determines the broader set of zones a Dasher is automatically authorized to work in without formal administrative approval. It establishes the default market settings, including local regulations and payment structures, that govern the Dasher’s account.
Working Temporarily in Nearby Zones
Working in a nearby zone for a short time does not require contacting support or initiating a formal account change. When a Dasher travels to an area supported by their existing Permanent Base Location, they can open the Dasher app to view the local map. The map displays the boundary lines of the various Active Zones available. The process involves selecting the desired Active Zone, checking for immediate availability, and scheduling a dash time if necessary. Since the new zone is within the authorized network of the Dasher’s registered market, the system grants access automatically. This self-service functionality allows for short-term switching between zones that fall under the same overarching metropolitan region.
The Process for Changing Your Permanent Base Location
When a Dasher relocates to a distant city, a new state, or a different major metropolitan area, a formal administrative change to the Permanent Base Location is necessary. This process is initiated by submitting a direct request to DoorDash support through their online portal or via email, as the change cannot be completed within the Dasher app settings. The request must clearly state the intention to move and include specifics about the new location, such as the full new address and the desired start date for dashing in the new region.
DoorDash support will manually review the request to transfer the Dasher’s account to the new market. This review ensures that all local requirements and operational parameters for the new region can be properly applied to the existing account. The administrative transfer process can take several business days, and the Dasher will receive confirmation once the account has been successfully migrated.
Relocating across state lines often introduces additional administrative layers due to varying state and local laws governing independent contractors. DoorDash may be required to run a new background check or verify compliance with regulatory standards specific to the new state. This ensures the Dasher remains eligible to operate under the legal framework of their new Permanent Base Location. The Dasher should anticipate a potential temporary pause in their ability to dash while these regulatory checks are finalized.
The Dasher’s account profile is updated to reflect the new primary market, which authorizes access to the Active Zones within that new metropolitan area. This formal procedure is the only way to gain authorization to work in a separate market that was not previously linked to the original base location.
Important Considerations After Changing Location
A successful permanent transfer requires the Dasher to adapt to the specific characteristics of the new market environment. One of the first outcomes is a potential shift in scheduling access and priority, as the Dasher is effectively starting as a new operator in that region. Scheduling privileges, such as early access, are earned based on local performance metrics and may need to be re-established.
It is prudent to research the local market demand, including typical peak hours, popular delivery areas, and the general earnings landscape. Understanding the flow of orders and the concentration of restaurants helps maximize the efficiency of dashing efforts from the start.
Another element involves updating administrative documentation related to independent contracting. The Dasher must ensure their tax information, including any necessary state or local registrations, reflects their new physical address and jurisdiction. This step is important for accurately reporting income and adhering to the tax implications for independent contractors operating within the new region.