DoorDash has become an increasingly popular way for people to earn extra income delivering food, groceries, and other items to customers. With the flexibility to choose your own schedule, DoorDash seems like an ideal gig for teens and young adults looking to make some money. However, DoorDash does have age requirements for new dashers that means 17-year-olds can’t just sign up and start delivering whenever they want.
DoorDash’s Age Requirements
According to DoorDash’s website, you must be at least 18 years old to be a dasher. This is because of the legal driving age in most states and the risks involved with driving for a delivery job. DoorDash wants to ensure all of its drivers can legally operate vehicles and have driving experience and skills to safely complete deliveries.
In addition, DoorDash requires all dashers to pass a background check. They look for any history of criminal offenses, including misdemeanors, that could potentially disqualify someone from delivering for DoorDash. This comprehensive check aims to protect customers as well as comply with insurance requirements.
Why the 18+ Age Requirement?
There are a few key reasons why DoorDash requires dashers to be 18 or older:
- Legal driving age – Most states set the legal driving age at 16-18, with restrictions on unaccompanied driving for minors.
- Driver’s license requirements – DoorDash requires a valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.
- Insurance requirements – DoorDash’s insurance will only cover dashers who are 18+.
- Safety of minors – Younger teens may lack the driving experience and skills to safely operate a vehicle and navigate roads.
- Hours of operation – DoorDash operates during school hours when minors should be in class.
Essentially, DoorDash wants to make sure all drivers are legally able to drive without restrictions, have a license and insurance, and have the experience to deliver safely. The 18+ age minimum aligns with laws in most states and protects against risks from inexperienced teen drivers.
Is There Any Way for 17-Year-Olds to Deliver for DoorDash?
Since DoorDash’s official policy requires dashers to be 18 or older, there is no way for 17-year-olds to sign up and deliver directly with DoorDash. The system will not allow teens under 18 to complete the dasher registration.
However, there are a couple potential workarounds that may allow someone who is 17 to earn money making deliveries for DoorDash:
- Ride along with an adult – Some teens ride along with a parent or older sibling who meets the age requirements and completes the DoorDash deliveries. The teen can assist with navigating and carrying orders to the door. The adult would have to complete the Dasher signup and account setup.
- Sign up using a parent/guardian’s account – A parent or legal guardian who is over 18 could setup a Dasher account and let their teen use it to make deliveries. This would violate DoorDash’s terms, but some families pursue this option.
Unofficially assisting a qualified adult dasher or using a parent’s account are the only ways a 17-year-old could potentially deliver with DoorDash. However, these approaches come with risks if DoorDash’s policies are violated.
Other Gigs for 17-Year-Olds
While DoorDash is off limits, there are other great ways for 17-year-olds to earn income with flexible schedules. Some options include:
- Babysitting
- Pet sitting/dog walking
- Lawn mowing
- Tutoring
- Freelance work like writing, web design, data entry
- Retail or restaurant jobs
- Working for a local delivery business that allows 17-year-old drivers
Many of these let teens set their own hours and work around school schedules. With a little research, 17-year-olds can find gigs that align with their skills and interests while earning good money.
When Can a 17-Year-Old Sign Up for DoorDash?
For teens looking forward to earning with DoorDash, the good news is that you only have to wait a short time before being eligible. Here is when a 17-year-old can sign up as a Dasher:
- When you turn 18 – Once you become a legal adult at age 18, you can complete DoorDash’s signup process and start delivering.
- During your 18th year – DoorDash allows you to complete most of the signup while still 17, as long as you will turn 18 that calendar year.
DoorDash does allow dashers to deliver using a car, motorcycle, scooter, bicycle, or on foot. So right at age 18, new adults can complete the Dasher application, pass the background check, and use whatever transportation they have access to in order to start making deliveries.
What Does DoorDash Check for Signup?
To prepare for signing up on your 18th birthday, here is what DoorDash will check for during dasher registration and onboarding:
- Driver’s License – You’ll need a valid U.S. driver’s license if delivering by car. If biking or on foot, you just need a state ID.
- Auto Insurance – Valid insurance is required if using a car or motorcycle for deliveries.
- Background Check – You’ll need to consent to a background screening and have a clean history.
- Proof of Age – DoorDash will verify your 18+ age before approving your application.
- Legal Eligibility – You must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Meeting these requirements proves you can legally make deliveries and helps provide protection and peace of mind for customers. Preparing these documents ahead of time ensures quick approval when you turn 18.
What Are the Steps to Become a Dasher at 18?
Signing up for DoorDash once you turn 18 is fairly quick and easy. The key steps include:
- Download the App – Get the DoorDash Driver app for iPhone or Android. You can browse but can’t yet sign up.
- Provide Information – Put in your basic personal details, contact info, and method of transportation.
- Verify Identity – Upload images of your driver’s license, auto insurance card, and any other required documents.
- Consent to Background Check – Authorize DoorDash to run a background screening.
- Complete Onboarding – Review all policies, go through training, and set up your availability.
- Start Dashing! – Once approved, just toggle to available when you are ready to receive delivery opportunities.
The entire process may only take a day or two before you are out making deliveries and earning with DoorDash at age 18!
What Can You Deliver Once Approved?
DoorDash offers lots of variety in the types of items dashers may be assigned to deliver. Common requests include:
- Takeout from restaurants
- Groceries from supermarkets and convenience stores
- Prescriptions from drug stores
- Alcohol from restaurants, bars, and liquor stores
- Retail items from electronic stores, hardware shops, florists, and more
Deliveries range from food and groceries to household supplies, gifts, alcohol orders, auto parts, and almost anything else a customer requests. There is great earning potential delivering all types of products for local businesses or national chains.
How Much Do New DoorDashers Make?
As a new DoorDash driver when you turn 18, you can expect to earn:
- Base Pay: $2-10+ per delivery
- Tip: 100% of tip goes to you, average tips $3-$8
- Peak Pay: Extra $1-2 per delivery during busy times
- Bonuses: Average $100-$300 for completing signup and orientation bonuses
Based on these typical earnings, a new dasher can expect to make the following in their first month:
| Metric | Payout Estimate |
|---|---|
| Average deliveries per hour | 2 |
| Average hours worked per week | 20 |
| Average base pay per delivery | $5 |
| Average tips per delivery | $5 |
| Average weekly payout | $400 |
These estimates are based on average earnings reported by new DoorDash drivers. By delivering during peak times, focusing on speed, and providing excellent service, you may be able to exceed these numbers and earn $500-$600 your first month.
Maximizing Your Earnings as a New Dasher
Here are some tips to earn the highest payouts possible right when you start driving for DoorDash at 18:
- Drive during peak times – Late lunch, dinner, weekends, holidays. More orders and higher Peak Pay bonuses.
- Stick to a geographic zone – Focus on one area near busy restaurants so you waste less time/gas driving far.
- Maintain speed – Deliver orders quickly and efficiently to earn more per hour and get bigger tips.
- Track mileage – Use an app to record mileage for tax deductions, saving you money.
- Minimize declines – Acceptance rate impacts opportunities. Only decline if absolutely necessary.
- Provide great service – Go above and beyond with communication, accuracy, care in delivery.
Following this strategy from your first day will put you in position to earn $20 per hour or more consistently.
Requirements to Keep Delivering for DoorDash
To continue dashing after signing up at 18, you’ll need to:
- Maintain a 4.2+ star average customer rating
- Keep completion and acceptance rates above minimum thresholds
- Receive no major complaints that lead to deactivation
- Continue passing any periodic background checks
- Provide requested documentation like updated insurance and license
- Abide by all company policies and local regulations
As long as you deliver safely, follow instructions, provide great service, and hold up your end of the Independent Contractor Agreement, you should be able to dash for the long-term.
Why Deliver for DoorDash at 18?
Turning 18 opens the door for you (no pun intended) to earn with DoorDash. Here are some key advantages to driving for them as a new adult:
- Flexibility – Dash whenever works for your schedule, no mandatory shifts
- Control – You choose which deliveries from which restaurants/stores to accept
- Earning Potential – Can realistically make $18-$25 per hour with tips
- Minimal Costs – No fees. Just pay for your own gas and supplies
- Simplicity – Easy to get approved and trained quickly
- Independence – Be your own boss, earn income on your terms
Driving for DoorDash checks a lot of boxes in terms of control over your schedule, maximizing earnings, and gaining flexibility as you transition into adulthood.
Conclusion
While DoorDash does require dashers to be at least 18 years old, it provides an attractive opportunity for newly-minted adults seeking income. With a valid license, some basic supplies, a reliable vehicle, and a hardworking attitude, you can take advantage of DoorDash’s delivery platform to earn money on a schedule that works for you.
Just make sure to complete the signup process, pass the background check, and follow all policies so you can start dashing upon turning 18. Then focus on providing excellent service and being available during peak hours to maximize your deliveries, tips, bonuses and overall income. DoorDash delivers not just food and groceries, but financial freedom for industrious young adults.
