Yes, becoming a DoorDash driver (called a “Dasher”) is one of the easiest gig jobs to get started with. There’s no interview, no special training, and no commercial vehicle required. Most people can go from application to first delivery within a few days, assuming they pass a background check. The barriers are low, but there are a few requirements worth understanding before you sign up.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
To qualify as a Dasher, you need to meet a short list of requirements. You must be at least 18 years old in most states, though some states set the minimum at 19 and one requires you to be 21 for new applicants. Beyond age, you need a smartphone (iPhone or Android), a valid driver’s license if you plan to deliver by car, and auto insurance in the amounts required by your state’s law.
There are no specific vehicle requirements. You can use whatever car you already own. Depending on your market, DoorDash may also let you deliver by motorcycle, bike, e-bike, or scooter, which means you don’t necessarily need a car at all.
The Signup Process Takes Minutes
The application itself is fast. You enter your zip code, email, and phone number on DoorDash’s website, then create a profile with your name and password. After downloading the Dasher app, you select your vehicle type, provide your address, and complete an identity verification step where you upload a government-issued ID and take a selfie so DoorDash can confirm you match the photo.
From there, DoorDash submits a background check automatically. Once you’re approved, you choose how you want to get paid (instant payouts or weekly deposits) and can request a free “Red Card,” a prepaid card DoorDash sends you so you’re eligible for shop-and-deliver orders where you pick up items at a store. The entire signup flow, minus the background check wait, takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
The Background Check Is the Biggest Variable
The background check is the one step you can’t rush, and it’s the main reason some applicants get rejected. DoorDash runs both a criminal history report and, if you’re delivering by motor vehicle, a motor vehicle report. Most checks finish within a day, but some take a week or longer.
DoorDash will typically disqualify applicants who have a DUI on their driving record, serious traffic violations, or at-fault accidents. On the criminal side, convictions for theft, property damage, violent crimes, or felonies within the past seven years can lead to denial. Appearing on the National Sex Offender Registry within the past seven years is also disqualifying.
If you have a clean driving and criminal record, the background check is essentially a formality. If you have older offenses beyond the seven-year lookback window, they generally won’t affect your application.
Startup Costs Are Minimal
DoorDash doesn’t charge an application fee or require you to buy any equipment. Everything you need to accept and complete deliveries is built into the Dasher app. That said, a few inexpensive items make the job significantly easier.
- Phone mount: A dashboard or windshield mount so you can follow GPS directions without holding your phone. These run $10 to $25.
- Car charger or power bank: Running the Dasher app and GPS simultaneously drains your battery fast. A charging cable for your car is essential, and a portable power bank is a useful backup.
- Insulated delivery bag: DoorDash sends a free welcome kit, but many Dashers buy a better insulated bag to keep food hot. You can find one for $15 to $30.
Your biggest ongoing costs are gas (or electricity if you drive an EV), wear and tear on your vehicle, and auto insurance. Since Dashers are independent contractors, not employees, you’re responsible for all vehicle expenses. You can deduct mileage on your taxes, though, which offsets a meaningful chunk of those costs. Apps like Everlance can track your miles automatically so you don’t lose deductions.
How Quickly You Can Start Earning
If your background check clears within a day, you could realistically complete your first delivery within 24 to 48 hours of submitting your application. There’s no mandatory orientation, no ride-along, and no waiting for a scheduled start date. Once your account is activated, you open the app, tap “Dash Now” (or schedule a time slot), and start accepting delivery offers.
The learning curve is gentle. The app walks you through each delivery step by step: drive to the restaurant, confirm the pickup, follow the GPS to the customer, and mark the delivery complete. Most new Dashers feel comfortable with the process after two or three deliveries.
What Could Slow You Down
A few situations can make the process less straightforward. If you live in a very saturated market, DoorDash may put you on a waitlist rather than activating you immediately, since they limit the number of active Dashers in each zone. Waitlists can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on demand in your area.
Identity verification can also stall if your selfie doesn’t match your ID photo clearly, or if the name on your ID doesn’t match what you entered during signup. Double-check that your legal name, address, and ID photo are all current before you start.
Finally, if your background check flags something, the process can stretch out while you wait for results or submit additional documentation. DoorDash uses a third-party screening company, and you have the right to dispute inaccurate findings if something on your record is wrong.
The Bottom Line on Difficulty
Compared to most jobs, becoming a DoorDash driver is remarkably simple. There’s no resume, no interview, no degree requirement, and no upfront fees. If you’re 18 or older with a clean record, a car (or bike), a smartphone, and auto insurance, you can realistically be making deliveries within a day or two. The process is designed to be fast because DoorDash needs drivers, and removing friction is how they get them.