DoorDash Driver Requirements 2025: Everything You Need to Get Started

Getting started with DoorDash is one of the fastest ways to begin earning extra income — most people can go from signing up to their first delivery within a week. But before you download the app and start accepting orders, it helps to know exactly what DoorDash requires and what the sign-up process actually looks like from start to finish.

The Basic Requirements

DoorDash keeps its entry requirements relatively simple compared to some other gig platforms. You need to be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, and have access to a vehicle. That vehicle can be a car, truck, or SUV — and in many markets, DoorDash also allows bicycle and scooter deliveries, which opens the platform to people who do not own a car.

Your vehicle does not need to be new or particularly nice. DoorDash does not inspect vehicles or require them to meet any specific age or mileage requirements. As long as it runs reliably and you can legally drive it, you are good to go.

You will also need a smartphone — either an iPhone running iOS 14 or later, or an Android running version 8 or later. The DoorDash Dasher app is how you accept orders, navigate to restaurants, and confirm deliveries, so a working smartphone is non-negotiable.

Finally, you need to be legally authorized to work in the United States and have a Social Security number for the background check and tax reporting purposes.

The Background Check

DoorDash runs a background check on every applicant through a third-party company called Checkr. This check typically takes 5–7 business days, though it can sometimes be completed in as little as 24 hours or take up to two weeks depending on your location and history.

The background check looks at your driving record and criminal history. DoorDash will disqualify applicants who have certain types of convictions in the past seven years, including violent crimes, sexual offenses, and serious driving violations like DUI or reckless driving. Minor traffic violations generally do not disqualify you.

If your background check comes back with issues, Checkr will notify you directly and you have the right to dispute any inaccurate information. Many people have successfully gotten approvals after disputing incorrect records.

What You Need to Sign Up

The sign-up process requires a few documents. You will need to upload a photo of your driver's license and, if you are driving a car, proof of auto insurance. DoorDash requires that your insurance be current and valid — they will check the expiration date on the card you submit.

You will also need to provide your Social Security number for the background check, and your bank account information for direct deposit. DoorDash pays weekly via direct deposit, and you can also access your earnings instantly through DasherDirect, their prepaid debit card option.

The Orientation and Red Card

Once your background check clears, DoorDash will send you a welcome kit in the mail that includes a red DoorDash card. This is a prepaid card that DoorDash loads with funds when you accept certain orders — specifically orders from restaurants where you need to pay at the counter before picking up the food.

Not every order requires the red card, but you need to have it before you can start dashing. The kit usually arrives within 5–7 business days after your background check clears. Some markets also offer the option to pick up your activation kit at a local DoorDash partner location if you do not want to wait for mail delivery.

Your First Week on the Road

Most new Dashers find the first few deliveries a little awkward — figuring out where to park, how to communicate with restaurants, and how to handle apartment complexes and gated communities takes some practice. The learning curve is real but short. By your third or fourth delivery, the process starts to feel natural.

A few things that make the first week easier: download Google Maps or Waze as a backup to the in-app navigation, which can sometimes be slow to update. Learn which restaurants in your area are fast and organized versus which ones make you wait — this information becomes valuable quickly because your time waiting at a restaurant is unpaid time. And start tracking your mileage from day one using an app like Stride or MileIQ, because that mileage deduction will significantly reduce your tax bill at the end of the year.

Is DoorDash Worth Starting?

For most people looking for flexible extra income, DoorDash is one of the easiest places to start. The requirements are minimal, the sign-up process is straightforward, and you can set your own schedule completely. The key is going in with realistic expectations about what you will actually earn after expenses, and using tools like the GigPayCheck ROI Calculator to track your true net pay from the beginning.