What you need before you apply
DoorDash keeps its bar for new drivers pretty low compared to a regular job application. Here's what you'll need to have ready.
Age. In most states you need to be at least 18. A handful of states set the bar higher — 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 — so always confirm the minimum age in your specific state on the DoorDash sign-up page before applying, since requirements can change.
A phone. You need a smartphone that can run the Dasher app — a reliable smartphone device, either iOS or Android, though "jailbroken" phones sometimes can't open the Dasher app.
An ID. A driver's license or other government ID works, and a license is only required if you're dashing by car, scooter, or motorcycle.
Insurance and a vehicle, if you're driving. If you plan to deliver by car or scooter, you'll need valid personal auto insurance in your name. If you're delivering by bike or on foot in a market that allows it, you can skip the license and insurance requirements.
A Social Security number. This is used only to run your background check, not to set up payroll withholding the way a regular employer would.
Step 1: Fill out the application
The application itself is quick. Most people can finish it in well under 15 minutes. You'll download the Dasher app or apply at the DoorDash sign-up page, enter your basic info (name, email, phone number, ZIP code), choose your delivery method, enter your vehicle details if applicable, and consent to a background check.
Your ZIP code matters more than you'd think. Some markets pause new driver onboarding when there are already plenty of Dashers active in the area, so it's worth checking your local status directly through the app before you get too far into the process.
Step 2: Upload your documents
Once your basic info is in, DoorDash asks for a few pieces of documentation: a photo of your government ID, proof of insurance if you're driving a car or scooter, and a real-time selfie that gets matched against your ID photo to confirm it's really you. All of this happens right inside the app — you just take photos with your phone's camera and the system reads them automatically.
Small details trip people up here. Make sure your name is entered exactly as it appears on your official documents — mismatched names or multiple recent addresses can slow down the next step.
Step 3: The background check
This is the part that makes people the most nervous, and it's also where the timeline gets fuzzy. DoorDash uses a third-party company called Checkr to run the check, and Checkr — not DoorDash — controls how fast it moves.
Here's the honest range: while most background checks are completed within a day, it is not uncommon to encounter longer wait times of one to two weeks due to factors such as DMV and local county office delays. Other estimates suggest a typical window of roughly 3 to 10 business days, with the fastest cases clearing in about 24 hours and the most complicated cases stretching to two or three weeks — treat these as general ranges rather than a guarantee for your specific case.
What actually gets checked:
Criminal history. The check looks back roughly seven years for most convictions, though DoorDash only looks at incidents that have occurred in the past seven years, with the exception being felonies, which have no time limit.
Driving record. Motor vehicle history goes back three years, but for DUIs or drug offenses, the check extends back seven years. This part only applies if you're delivering by car, scooter, or motorcycle — individuals who plan to deliver by bicycle do not need to undergo a motor vehicle report check.
If your check comes back needing a closer look, DoorDash will send an email — watch your inbox for something labeled a "Pre-Adverse Action Notice." A "Consider" status means Checkr has processed your background check but the results require additional review, and those reviews are typically completed within 5 business days. You have the right to review and dispute anything inaccurate under the Fair Credit Reporting Act before a final decision is made.
If it's been a while with no update, don't just sit and refresh the app. You can check the Checkr Candidate Portal for the most up-to-date estimates, since DoorDash itself is unable to expedite or provide estimated completion times — the ball is genuinely in Checkr's court, not DoorDash's.
Step 4: Get your gear and go active
Once you're approved, DoorDash will walk you through activating your account. Depending on your market, you may be prompted to pick up an insulated bag or a Red Card (DoorDash's payment card for orders where you need to pay in-store). After that, you're free to open the app and start accepting deliveries whenever you want — there's no set schedule to follow.
Before your first shift, it's worth doing a couple of practical things:
Check your car insurance. A standard personal auto policy is built for personal driving, not paid delivery work, so it's worth understanding what your policy actually covers before you're relying on it.
Have a way to track your miles. As an independent contractor, your vehicle costs can factor into your tax situation later, so a mileage log from day one can help you stay organized — a tax professional can advise on how mileage deductions apply to your specific situation.
Know where your pay is landing. DoorDash pays out on its own schedule unless you opt into instant pay for a fee, so it helps to know exactly which account your earnings hit and how quickly you can actually use that money.
A quick reality check on timing
If you're counting on Dasher income to cover a bill by a specific date, build in a cushion. Between the application, the background check, and possible onboarding pauses in busier markets, it can take anywhere from a same-day approval to two full weeks before you're cleared to dash. Plan your first shift with that range in mind rather than assuming you'll be earning tonight.
Once you're up and running, the bigger question most new Dashers ask next is how the pay actually breaks down per hour after gas and time — that's worth digging into once you've got a few shifts under your belt and real numbers to compare.