Postmates driver age is one of the first things people check, and the answer today is shorter than it used to be: there is no separate Postmates rulebook for couriers. Uber’s help page says Postmates and Uber Eats joined forces and that delivery requests moved to the Uber app as of June 7, 2021, so the requirements you meet are Uber’s.[1] This guide sets out who can deliver, what you need for each vehicle type, and how the application works. Pay, tips and the history of the brand are separate questions that this page leaves aside.
What is the Postmates driver age requirement?
Uber’s US delivery page sorts the minimum age by how you deliver, not by brand. A person on a bike or on foot must be at least 18. A motorbike or scooter needs 19, and so does a car, but a footnote on the car row sets the motor vehicle driver minimum at 21 in California and New York State.[2]
That means “Postmates minimum age” has three answers depending on your plans:
- 18 if you deliver by bike or on foot, anywhere the US page applies;
- 19 if you use a motorbike or scooter, or a car in most states;
- 21 if you drive a car in California or New York State.
Nothing on the page offers an option for anyone under 18. Other countries have their own Uber pages with their own ages, so treat these figures as US rules. The page also says that delivery varies by city and that proof of residency is required in many markets, which is worth checking before you assume an application will go through.
What do you need to start driving for Postmates?
The requirements listed on the same page are short and depend on the vehicle:
| Way of delivering | Documents and details |
|---|---|
| Bike or on foot | Government-issued ID; Social Security number and other personal information for a background screening |
| Motorbike or scooter | Valid driver’s license in your name; Social Security number for screening |
| Car | 2-door or 4-door vehicle; valid driver’s license in your name; Social Security number for screening |
Two practical points follow. The license must be in your own name, so a borrowed or shared car does not remove that requirement. And the screening is part of every route, including the bike route, which is why the Social Security number appears in every row of the table.
If you are searching for “Postmates bike delivery,” the answer is that a bicycle is listed by Uber as a valid way to deliver, with the lowest age of the three groups. Whether bike delivery is practical depends on your city, because the page says delivery varies by location.
Compare car rental
500+ rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
How do you sign up as a Postmates courier today?
Uber’s page describes a short sequence for newcomers: sign up to be a delivery person, consent to a screening, then upload the required documents and a photo. Once Uber notifies you that your account is active, you can begin to receive requests.
The step many people miss is that the old route no longer exists. The Postmates FAQ says that as of August 9, 2021 you can no longer link a Postmates account with an Uber account, and that anyone who wants to drive or deliver with the Uber app needs to create a new account. The same FAQ says a person who was rejected when migrating cannot continue to accept deliveries in that area, because dispatches run on the Uber platform and need an Uber driver account in good standing.
If you already drive with Uber for rides, the delivery page says you can add food delivery from the Driver app menu (Account, then Work Hub) and accept the delivery terms, rather than starting over.
Does age change which orders you can take?
Yes, in one way. Uber’s delivery basics page says the types of trips you are eligible for depend on your vehicle size, whether you have an insulated bag, whether you signed up for Shop & Deliver, and even your age.[3] For alcohol, the page says you must be 21 or older and that eligibility depends on location. You can see which delivery types you are approved for in the Work Hub section of the Driver app.
So an 18-year-old courier on a bike and a 25-year-old with a car may see different requests, and neither can assume alcohol orders are available. For earnings, see how Postmates pays couriers.
How do you prepare so the application goes smoothly?
Processing time for the screening is not something to count on, so build in a buffer instead of promising yourself a start date. A short preparation list helps:
- Confirm your age against the vehicle you plan to use, and against your state if it is California or New York.
- Check that your driver’s license or government-issued ID is current and matches the name you will enter.
- Decide on the vehicle before you apply, since the requirements differ by type.
- Gather the Social Security number and personal details you will be asked for.
- Photograph documents in good light, with every corner visible.
Tip: An insulated bag is optional according to Uber, but the delivery basics page links the types of trips you can receive to whether you have one, so it may widen what you see.
What should you remember before you apply?
The honest summary is that “Postmates driver” now means “Uber delivery person.” Age depends on the vehicle, the requirements are an ID or license plus a screening, and an old Postmates login does not carry over. Uber’s pages are informational, change without notice and vary by city, so the sign-up flow in the Driver app is the final word for your account. For background on the service, see what Postmates is and how it works.
