How old do you have to be to do DoorDash? The short answer is 18 in most U.S. states, but not everywhere: DoorDash’s Dasher support page says you must be at least 18 and lists higher minimums for 14 states.[1] New applicants in California need to be 21, and applicants in thirteen other states need to be 19.
This guide gives the age rule by state, explains what else DoorDash checks, and covers what to do if you are not old enough yet. It does not cover pay or the best hours to dash, which are covered in separate guides.
What is the age to become a Dasher?
DoorDash states the requirement in one line: at least 18 years old, an iPhone or Android smartphone, and completion of the sign-up process. The 18 comes with an asterisk, and the asterisk is the part most people miss: the age rises in some states. The company’s requirements page repeats the point, describing 18 as the rule “in most states” and noting that exceptions apply.
The minimum age applies to the person doing the delivery, and it is checked during sign-up. DoorDash’s help page also says that anyone helping you dash must have a valid Dasher account too.
DoorDash age requirement by state
DoorDash’s published list has three tiers.
| Minimum age | Where it applies |
|---|---|
| 21 | California (new applicants only) |
| 19 | Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, West Virginia |
| 18 | All other states |
Some details that the table cannot show:
- California. The higher age is for new applicants. DoorDash says Dashers in California who were already active are not affected by the change.
- Texas and Florida. Both are in the 19-year-old group, so an 18-year-old in either state cannot apply yet.
- Other states. If your state is not named in the 19 or 21 tiers, the baseline of 18 applies.
State rules can change. Before you plan around a birthday, confirm the current number on the DoorDash page for your state, because the company can update the list without notice.
Compare car rental
500+ rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
Can you do DoorDash at 16 or 17?
No. Since the lowest minimum in the U.S. is 18, a 16-year-old or a 17-year-old does not meet the requirement in any state. This is also the answer for why you have to be 18 to DoorDash: the age rules sit alongside driver licensing, insurance and background-check requirements, all of which assume an adult account holder. DoorDash’s official pages do not describe an exception for younger applicants.
The same applies in reverse for older teens in the 19 and 21 states: turning 18 is not enough if your state is on the higher list.
What are the other requirements for DoorDash?
Age is the first check. DoorDash then asks for the following, according to its requirements page.[2]
- A smartphone. A compatible Android phone or iPhone. DoorDash’s help page adds that some jailbroken or rooted phones may have trouble with the Dasher app.
- A valid ID. A current government-issued ID, with examples that include a driver’s license, state ID, passport, passport card, permanent resident card or employment authorization card.
- A Social Security number. Needed for the U.S. sign-up and the background check.
- A background check. DoorDash says all Dashers go through one, which includes a national background check and a Social Security number trace, plus a motor vehicle record check for those who deliver by vehicle.
- A driver’s license, registration and insurance for a motorized vehicle. A valid U.S. driver’s license, proof of auto insurance and, if using a car, vehicle registration.
After your age and vehicle are confirmed, DoorDash says you will be prompted to complete identity verification and the background check as the last steps to activate the account. Timing and activation can vary.
Tip: Have your ID, insurance card and registration ready before you start sign-up. Everything on the list is asked for, and an expired document is an easy way to stall an application.
What vehicle can you use to Dash?
DoorDash says there are no specific vehicle requirements. You can use a car, provided you have a valid domestic driver’s license and valid personal auto insurance, and, depending on your location, you may deliver by motorcycle, scooter, bike or e-bike. There are also no car year requirements: any make, model or year is acceptable as long as the license and insurance are valid. Our guide to DoorDash car requirements covers the vehicle side.
What differs by vehicle:
| Vehicle | Driver’s license | Your own insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Car | Required | Required |
| Motorcycle or scooter | Required | Required |
| Bike or e-bike | Not required (government ID is) | Not required |
The age rule still applies on a bike. DoorDash says bike delivery requires you to be at least 18, or to meet your state’s minimum age, along with a smartphone and a background check. Bike delivery is available only in select cities, so check whether your city offers it.
What does DoorDash insurance cover?
DoorDash maintains a commercial auto insurance policy that covers up to $1,000,000 in bodily injury and property damage to third parties from accidents during an active delivery, subject to the policy’s terms and to state law. That is not a substitute for your own policy. DoorDash says you must carry your own insurance in the amounts and types required by law, and that its coverage may not apply if you fail to maintain yours. Because DoorDash-maintained insurance covers you only while actively dashing, your personal policy is what matters for everything else.
What if you are too young to Dash?
If you are under your state’s minimum, the age rule applies, and DoorDash’s pages describe no way for a younger person to open a Dasher account. A few practical points follow.
- Wait for the birthday that matches your state. In an 18-year-old state, that is 18; in the 19-year-old states, 19; in California, 21 for new applicants.
- Do not use someone else’s account. Sign-up includes ID verification and a background check for the person applying, and DoorDash says anyone helping you dash needs a valid Dasher account of their own.
- Prepare the documents in advance. An ID, a license for car delivery and insurance in your name can take time to arrange.
- Look at other kinds of work. Age rules for other gig platforms and for ordinary jobs differ, and a local employer may hire younger workers.
How old do you have to be to Dash in Canada or Australia?
DoorDash’s requirements page says that in Canada you must be at least 18 years old, have an iPhone or Android smartphone, complete the sign-up process and undergo a background check, with a valid license, auto insurance and registration for car delivery. For Australia, the page says only that you must generally be at least 18 and tells applicants to check the Australian site or help center for the current rules, since requirements may vary by region. This guide’s state-by-state tiers apply to the United States only. Uber has its own age rules, covered in how old you must be to do Uber Eats.
Quick checklist before you apply
- Check your state’s minimum age: 18, 19 or 21.
- Choose your vehicle: car, motorcycle or scooter, or bike where it is offered.
- Gather a valid ID and Social Security number.
- For a motorized vehicle, collect your license, registration and insurance.
- Make sure your phone is compatible.
- Complete sign-up, identity verification and the background check.
