How Old Do You Have to Be to Doordash?
DoorDash offers a convenient way to earn money by delivering food from local restaurants to customers. If you’re looking to boost your income, becoming a DoorDash driver (Dasher) is a great option.
However, not everyone is eligible to work as a Dasher due to certain requirements, including age restrictions. So, how old do you have to be to DoorDash? You must be at least 18 years old to qualify. This article will explore the age requirements for DoorDash drivers, along with what DoorDash does and why it’s worth joining.
How Old Should You Be to Become a Dasher?
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You must be 18 years and above to become a Dasher. This requirement is necessary to ensure that all drivers delivering orders for DoorDash have attained the legal employment age and to enter into employment contracts.
The minimum age requirement also ensures that Dashers meet other essential requirements to deliver orders. For instance, they should have a driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle, scooter, bicycle, or motorbike safely.
A DoorDash driver should have valid vehicle insurance to cover them and the company in the event of an accident during food delivery. You must attain the legal age to obtain an auto insurance cover.
That’s why the company enforces the age requirement so strictly and without exceptions for underage applicants. Even a 17-year-old who wants to become a Dasher must wait for their 18th birthday to apply.
One of the common questions that underage applicants ask is: Can someone else who has attained the legal age drive me or help me drop off the deliveries? The answer is no. Although DoorDash doesn’t regulate how Dashers deliver their orders, it only pays drivers who are registered on its system.
You must have a valid DoorDash account to receive offers and get paid after delivery. So, working as a subcontractor won’t work for you if you’re underage.
What Is DoorDash?
DoorDash is a technology platform founded by Stanford graduates in 2013 that specializes in food delivery. The company’s mission is to make ordering takeouts easy for everyone.
It partners with drivers in different cities across America and other parts of the world to deliver food from local cafes and food chains that serve remote customers. With DoorDash, customers can have their food delivered right to their doorsteps in minutes.
Currently, the company, whose offices are located in San Francisco, has partnered with over 200 popular restaurants, including local and regional food chains in over 300 cities across America. It’s also available in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
How Does DoorDash Work?
DoorDash connects its customers to their favorite eateries through its mobile app or website. A customer opens the DoorDash app or website and searches for their favorite restaurant or cuisine to place an order.
They can also filter their searches by location, promotions, and meal service (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks). The app has a long list of eateries in every city across the United States, giving its users the convenience of browsing all their favorite restaurants and meals in one place.
It also makes it easy for users to track their orders from the time they leave the restaurant to when they arrive at their doorstep. DoorDash offers a commission-free Online Ordering solution, allowing restaurant owners to build their brands and increase sales through their channels.
Once a customer finds the type of meal they’re looking for, they place an order and pay on the DoorDash app or through the online ordering system. A message is sent to them with details about their order and the estimated time of delivery.
The selected restaurant receives the order through its preferred order protocol and immediately begins the order fulfillment process.
How Do Dashers Receive and Complete Deliveries?
You have to register yourself as a Dasher on the DoorDash system by filling out the Dasher form. You’ll be asked for important details like your postal address, email address, phone number, and your full name.
You must agree to a mandatory background check and submit all the necessary documents, including two copies of your government ID, Social Insurance Number or a valid Business Number, and a full-class driver’s license (where applicable).
In some cities, you’re required to have a car, scooter, or bicycle to qualify as a Dasher. You also need a smartphone to be able to login to the DoorDash system to accept delivery offers.
Once you’ve signed up, DoorDash will send you the Dash activation kit that has the items you need to deliver orders safely, including a food warming bag, red card, hand sanitizer, and face mask to protect yourself.
This kit arrives a few days after signing up and your application is approved. Once the restaurant is ready with the order, DoorDash will send you a notification with the pick-up location and delivery address.
The app allows your customer to track their order by sending them updates, including when you pick up the order and when you approach their delivery address. When you get to the delivery location, you can either knock on the customer’s door and hand them the order directly or leave the food at their doorstep if it’s a contactless delivery.
Dashers earn a base pay, which is based on the delivery location, time, and desirability. They can also earn money through promotions like Peak Pay, Delivery Streaks, and Challenges. You can also receive tips from customers. However, tips are optional.
