DoorDash is the largest food delivery platform in North America, the application takes 15 minutes, you can start earning within days, and the flexibility is genuinely unmatched. You literally turn the app on when you want money and turn it off when you don’t.
Here’s what most people don’t realize about learning how to get hired at DoorDash: approval is fast (24-48 hours typical), you can dash in any city (vacation = work anywhere), the pay ranges wildly ($12-$25/hour depending on strategy), and acceptance rate doesn’t matter—you can decline 70% of orders without consequences. It’s true independent contractor work.
I’ve helped thousands of people figure out how to get hired at DoorDash, and I’m about to break down everything you need to know. How the pay really works (base pay + tips + peak pay), the hidden strategies top dashers use ($25+/hour), the application process, what affects your approval, and what it’s really like sitting in restaurant parking lots waiting for orders while podcasts play.
Whether you’re 18 and need gas money, 25 and building a side hustle, or 55 and wanting retirement income, DoorDash works. This complete guide on how to get hired at DoorDash covers every step from signing up to delivering your first order.
Let’s get you hired. 🍕
The Quick Facts About How to Get Hired at DoorDash
Here’s what you need to know right now:
💰 Potential Earnings: $12-$25/hour (highly variable by market and strategy)
📍 Availability: 7,000+ cities in U.S., Canada, Australia
👥 Active Dashers: 2+ million independent contractors
⏱️ Time to Get Hired: 24-48 hours typical (sometimes same-day)
🎂 Minimum Age: 18 years old
💉 Drug Test: NO
🔍 Background Check: YES (through Checkr)
🎓 Education Required: None
🚗 Vehicle: Car, scooter, or bike (depends on market)
📱 Smartphone: Required (iPhone or Android)
📅 Schedule: 100% flexible (literally work whenever)
🎯 Hiring Speed: VERY FAST (often approved same day)
💪 Physical Demands: Low to moderate (mostly driving, some walking)
🎁 Tips: Yes (customer tips are significant portion of pay)
Now let’s break down why DoorDash is worth considering and how to actually get approved.
Why DoorDash is the Most Popular Gig (For Good Reason)
Before diving into how to get hired at DoorDash, let’s talk about why millions dash.
1. True Flexibility (Work Literally Whenever You Want)
DoorDash has zero schedule requirements:
- Open app when you want to work
- Close app when you’re done
- Work 20 minutes or 12 hours
- No shifts to sign up for
- No commitments
- No boss
This is perfect for:
- Students (between classes)
- Parents (while kids are at school)
- Full-time employees (evenings/weekends side hustle)
- Travelers (work in any city)
- Anyone wanting complete control
Real flexibility. Not “we’ll give you a schedule and call it flexible.”
2. Easiest Gig to Start
Barriers to entry are minimal:
- 18 years old
- Smartphone
- Vehicle (car, scooter, or bike depending on city)
- Clean-ish background check
- That’s it
No experience required. No skills required. No references required.
Application takes: 10-15 minutes
Approval time: 24-48 hours typical
Start earning: Within days
3. Dash Anywhere
Your DoorDash account works nationwide:
- Vacation in Miami? Dash there.
- Visiting family in Portland? Dash there.
- Road trip across country? Dash along the way.
Most gig apps are market-locked. DoorDash isn’t.
4. Acceptance Rate Doesn’t Matter (Mostly)
You can decline orders without penalty:
- Low pay? Decline.
- Long distance? Decline.
- Restaurant you hate? Decline.
- Just don’t feel like it? Decline.
Unlike some platforms, DoorDash doesn’t punish you for low acceptance rate.
Exception: Top Dasher program requires 70% acceptance (but most dashers ignore Top Dasher—benefits are minimal).
You control which orders you take.
5. Fast Pay Available
Get paid instantly:
- Cash out anytime (up to $2,000/day)
- Small fee ($1.99 per cashout)
- Money arrives in minutes
- Available after 2 weeks as dasher
Don’t want to wait for weekly deposit? Fast Pay solves it.
6. Low Stress (Mostly)
Compared to other gigs:
- No customers in your car (unlike rideshare)
- Minimal customer interaction (leave at door common)
- No heavy lifting (unlike Instacart)
- Just pick up food, drop off food
- Listen to music/podcasts all day
Relatively chill work.
7. Market is Huge
DoorDash is #1 food delivery platform:
- Most orders
- Most restaurants
- Most cities
- Most customers
More orders = more earning opportunities.
How DoorDash Really Works (The System Explained)
Understanding how to get hired at DoorDash requires understanding the platform.
The Order Flow
1. Customer places order on DoorDash app
- Chooses restaurant
- Selects items
- Adds tip (or doesn’t)
- Confirms order
2. DoorDash offers order to nearby dashers
- Shows: restaurant, items, delivery location, estimated time, total pay
- Dashers see offer and accept or decline
- If declined, offered to another dasher
3. Dasher accepts order
- Drives to restaurant
- Picks up food
- Delivers to customer
- Marks complete
That’s it.
How You Get Paid Per Delivery
Each delivery shows total pay:
Total Pay = Base Pay + Customer Tip + Peak Pay/Promotions
1. Base Pay:
- Set by DoorDash algorithm
- Factors: distance, time, desirability
- Typically: $2-10 per order
- Average: $2.50-4 per order
2. Customer Tip:
- Set by customer when ordering
- Can be $0 or $20+
- Typically: $3-8 per order
- Tips are the majority of your earnings
3. Peak Pay/Promotions:
- Added by DoorDash during busy times
- Typically: +$1-5 per order
- Shown in app with flame icon
- Not always available
Example order:
- $3.00 base pay
- $6.50 customer tip
- $2.00 peak pay
- Total: $11.50 for estimated 25 minutes
Hourly calculation: ~$27/hour (if accurate)
Hidden tip system: DoorDash sometimes hides part of tip if large. Order shows “$6.50” but actually pays “$12.50” on completion. (This is intentional to prevent cherry-picking)
Payment Schedule
Paid weekly:
- Monday 12am through Sunday 11:59pm earnings
- Deposited following Monday
- Direct deposit to bank account
Fast Pay available:
- Cash out anytime
- $1.99 fee per cashout
- Arrives in minutes
- After 2 weeks as dasher
What You Need to Get Hired at DoorDash
Let’s break down requirements when learning how to get hired at DoorDash.
Age Requirement
18 years old minimum (in all markets)
Vehicle Requirement
Depends on your market:
Most markets: Car required
- Any car works (doesn’t need to be new)
- Must be insured and registered in your name
- 2-door or 4-door doesn’t matter
- Condition doesn’t matter (as long as it runs)
Some markets: Bike/scooter allowed
- Dense urban areas (NYC, SF, Chicago, etc.)
- You’ll only receive orders within bike/scooter range
Walking deliveries:
- Very limited markets
- Very small delivery zones
Smartphone Requirement
iPhone or Android:
- Must run DoorDash Dasher app (iOS 14+ or Android 6+)
- Need data plan
- GPS functionality
- Good battery life (app drains battery)
The app is your entire job. Phone is essential.
Background Check
DoorDash runs background check through Checkr:
What they check:
- Criminal history (7 years)
- Driving record (for car dashers)
- Sex offender registry
What typically disqualifies:
- DUI within 7 years
- Violent crimes
- Sexual offenses
- Major driving violations (reckless driving, suspended license)
- Driving record with excessive violations
What usually doesn’t:
- Minor traffic violations (1-2 tickets)
- Non-violent misdemeanors years ago
- Bad credit (not checked)
No drug test.
Timeline: 24-48 hours typically (sometimes same day, rarely up to 1 week)
Insurance (for car dashers)
Must have valid auto insurance in your name or listed as driver on policy.
DoorDash provides occupational accident insurance while dashing (covers you if injured on delivery).
Personal auto insurance: Most policies don’t cover commercial use. Consider rideshare/delivery insurance rider ($10-30/month extra).
The Application Process
Alright, let’s get into the actual how to get hired at DoorDash steps.
Step 1: Go to DoorDash.com/dasher or Download Dasher App
Two ways to apply:
- Website: DoorDash.com/dasher/signup
- Mobile: Download “DoorDash – Dasher” app (red icon)
Step 2: Create Your Account
You’ll need:
Personal Information:
- Name
- Phone number
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
Location:
- Your address
- City/state where you’ll dash
Vehicle Information (if using car):
- Make, model, year
- License plate
- Insurance information
Step 3: Background Check Consent
Authorize background check:
- Criminal history
- Driving record
- Handled by Checkr
Timeline: Usually 1-3 days (sometimes same day)
Step 4: Activation Kit (Optional)
DoorDash offers to send you:
- Red Card (for select orders where you order/pay)
- Hot bag (insulated food bag)
You can:
- Wait for kit (5-7 days)
- Start without kit (most orders don’t need Red Card)
- Buy your own bags ($10-20 on Amazon)
Most dashers start immediately without waiting for kit.
Step 5: Schedule Orientation (Not Required Anymore)
Used to require in-person orientation.
Now: Just watch quick training videos in app (15-20 minutes).
No in-person meeting required.
Step 6: Start Dashing
Once background check clears:
- Open Dasher app
- Tap “Dash Now” or schedule dash
- Start receiving orders
- Accept first order
- Pick up food
- Deliver
- Get paid
That’s it. No interview. No uniform. No boss meeting you. Just start.
Maximizing Your Earnings (Real Strategies)
Understanding how to get hired at DoorDash is just step one. Here’s how to make actual money.
Strategy 1: Cherry-Pick Orders (Be Selective)
Not all orders are equal.
Good orders (accept these):
- $6.50+ for short distance (under 3 miles)
- $1.50-2.00 per mile minimum
- Reasonable restaurants (fast prep)
- Deliveries to houses (easier than apartments)
Bad orders (decline these):
- Low pay ($2.50-4.00 base with no tip)
- Long distance (over 5 miles for small pay)
- Apartment complexes (hard to find units)
- Slow restaurants (you’ll wait 20 minutes)
- Stacked orders that aren’t worth it
Rule of thumb: $1.50-2.00 per mile minimum, preferably $6.50+ total.
Your acceptance rate doesn’t matter (unless you want Top Dasher status, which most experienced dashers ignore).
Strategy 2: Work Peak Hours
Highest earnings during:
- Lunch (11am-1:30pm)
- Dinner (5pm-9pm)
- Weekend nights (Friday/Saturday 5-11pm)
- Bad weather (rain/snow = fewer dashers, more demand)
Peak Pay bonuses appear during these times.
Avoid slow times:
- Mid-afternoon (2-4pm)
- Late night (after 10pm weekdays)
Strategy 3: Know Your Market
Find the sweet spots:
- Cluster of popular restaurants
- Wealthy neighborhoods nearby (better tips)
- Avoid downtown traffic nightmares
- Learn which restaurants are consistently fast
Position yourself strategically near restaurant clusters.
Strategy 4: Multi-App
Many dashers run multiple apps simultaneously:
- DoorDash + Uber Eats
- DoorDash + Grubhub
- See which offers best order, accept that one
- Turn off other apps while completing delivery
Maximize orders per hour.
Warning: Don’t accept orders on multiple apps simultaneously unless deliveries are same direction. Customers expect on-time delivery.
Strategy 5: Track Everything
You’re self-employed:
- Mileage is tax-deductible ($0.67/mile in 2024)
- Phone bill partially deductible
- Hot bags deductible
- Car washes deductible
Use Stride or similar app to track automatically.
Tax savings: $2,000-4,000+ annually.
Strategy 6: Communicate When Necessary
Most deliveries are “leave at door” = no interaction.
But when restaurant is slow or issues arise:
- Message customer with update
- “Restaurant is running 10 minutes behind, I’ll have your food ASAP”
- Customers appreciate communication
Good communication = better ratings.
Strategy 7: Avoid Top Dasher (Controversial)
Top Dasher Status requirements:
- 70% acceptance rate
- 95% completion rate
- 100 deliveries/month
- 4.7+ customer rating
Benefits:
- Dash anytime without scheduling
- Priority on orders (debatable)
Why most experienced dashers skip it:
- 70% acceptance means taking garbage orders
- Taking $3 no-tip orders lowers hourly rate
- “Priority” isn’t worth the bad orders
Better strategy: Schedule dashes in advance, be selective about orders, make more per hour.
What It’s Actually Like Dashing
Real talk about the day-to-day.
Your “Shift”
There are no shifts. Here’s what it really looks like:
Example evening (6-9pm):
- Turn on Dasher app
- Wait for order (sitting in car near restaurants)
- Order pops up: $8.50 for 3.2 miles from Chipotle
- Accept
- Drive to Chipotle (5 minutes)
- Park, walk in, grab order (3 minutes)
- Drive to customer (8 minutes)
- Leave at door, take picture, complete delivery
- Total time: 20 minutes, earned $8.50
- Immediately get next order or wait 1-5 minutes
- Repeat
Per hour: 2-4 deliveries typically, $12-25/hour depending on orders accepted.
The Driving Reality
You’re in your car CONSTANTLY:
- Driving to restaurants
- Waiting for orders (sitting in parking lots)
- Driving to customers
- Driving back to restaurant zone
Gas is significant expense ($15-40 per day depending on miles and MPG).
Car wear and tear is real (oil changes every 3,000 miles with heavy dashing).
The Restaurant Experience
Picking up orders:
- Walk in, tell them you’re DoorDash
- Grab bag/drinks
- Verify order name
- Leave
Takes: 1-5 minutes (good restaurants) to 10-30 minutes (slow restaurants)
Restaurant attitudes:
- Most are fine, neutral
- Some are annoyed (too many delivery drivers)
- Some are great, have designated pickup area
You’ll learn which restaurants to avoid (looking at you, Popeyes).
The Customer Interaction
Most deliveries (80%+): “Leave at door”
- No interaction at all
- Leave food at door
- Take picture
- Tap complete
- Leave
“Hand it to me” deliveries (20%):
- Knock/ring doorbell
- Hand food to customer
- “Have a great night”
- Leave
Problem customers (rare):
- Wrong address given
- Not answering phone
- Claiming food not delivered (fraud)
- Rude/demanding
Most customers are fine. 5% are difficult.
The Earnings Reality
Actual earnings vary SIGNIFICANTLY by market and strategy:
Good market, good strategy (selective about orders):
- $18-25/hour consistently
- Can hit $150-200 per 8-hour shift
Average market, average strategy:
- $15-20/hour
- $100-150 per 8-hour shift
Slow market, taking all orders:
- $12-16/hour
- $80-120 per 8-hour shift
Before expenses: Subtract $3-5/hour for gas, car wear
After expenses: $10-22/hour realistic take-home
The Algorithm
DoorDash algorithm determines:
- Which dashers see which orders
- Order priority
- Who gets offered what
Factors that help:
- High completion rate (95%+)
- High customer rating (4.7+)
- Being close to restaurant
- Being active often
Acceptance rate does NOT matter (for order priority).
Weather = $$$
Bad weather means:
- Fewer dashers working
- More people ordering (don’t want to leave house)
- Peak pay bonuses ($3-7 per order)
- Customers tip better
Rain, snow, extreme heat = best earnings days.
Many dashers: “I only dash during rain now.”
The Costs (What You’ll Actually Spend)
You’re self-employed = you pay your own expenses.
Gas
Biggest expense:
- Heavily depends on MPG and market
- Typical: $15-40 per 8-hour shift
- Can be 20-40% of gross earnings
Tips:
- Get fuel-efficient car (35+ MPG ideal)
- Use gas rewards programs (many grocery stores)
- Track mileage for tax deduction
Car Maintenance
More miles = more maintenance:
- Oil changes every 3,000-5,000 miles (every 2-3 months if dashing full-time)
- Tire replacement more frequent
- Brakes wear faster
- General wear and tear
Budget: $100-200/month if dashing heavily
Phone & Data
App uses data and drains battery:
- Car charger essential ($10-15)
- Phone mount helpful ($15-25)
- Unlimited data plan recommended
Taxes
You’re self-employed = no taxes withheld.
Set aside 25-30% for taxes:
- Federal income tax
- State income tax
- Self-employment tax (15.3% Social Security & Medicare)
Example:
- Earn $1,000/week
- Set aside $250-300
- Take-home: $700-750
File quarterly estimated taxes (or pay penalty).
Mileage deduction reduces taxable income significantly.
Hot Bags & Supplies
Insulated bags:
- DoorDash provides one (eventually)
- Buy better ones on Amazon ($15-30)
- Cup holders for drinks ($10)
Total startup costs: $20-50
Tips for Success
1. Be Selective
Don’t take every order.
Wait for good orders ($6.50+, reasonable distance).
Your hourly rate increases dramatically when you’re picky.
2. Position Strategically
Park near clusters of popular restaurants:
- Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, etc. (always busy)
- In wealthy areas (better tips)
Don’t just sit at home waiting. Position yourself where orders are.
3. Learn Your Market
After 20-30 deliveries, you’ll know:
- Which restaurants are fast
- Which areas tip well
- Which apartment complexes are nightmares
- Best times to dash
Use this knowledge.
4. Track Miles & Expenses
Mileage deduction is huge.
Use Stride or similar app (free, automatic).
Can save $2,000-4,000 in taxes annually.
5. Protect Yourself
Customer fraud happens:
- “Food not delivered” claims
- Take pictures at EVERY delivery (app requires this)
- Time-stamp photos
- Note any issues in app
DoorDash usually sides with drivers if you have photo proof.
6. Multi-App Carefully
Running DoorDash + Uber Eats = more orders available.
But: Don’t accept on both simultaneously unless same direction.
Getting deactivated for lateness sucks.
7. Join Dasher Communities
r/doordash_drivers on Reddit:
- Market-specific tips
- Order strategies
- Commiserate about bad tips
- Stay updated on app changes
Facebook groups:
- Local dasher groups
- Market-specific advice
FAQs About How to Get Hired at DoorDash
Q: How much can you really make with DoorDash?
A: $12-25/hour depending on market and strategy. Before expenses. After gas/maintenance: $10-22/hour realistic.
Q: How long does approval take?
A: 24-48 hours typical, sometimes same day, rarely up to 1 week.
Q: Can you dash without a car?
A: In some dense urban markets (bike/scooter). Most markets require car.
Q: Do they drug test?
A: No.
Q: Can you dash part-time?
A: Yes! Work 5 hours/week or 60 hours/week. Totally flexible.
Q: Does acceptance rate matter?
A: No (except for Top Dasher status, which most dashers ignore).
Q: Can customers change tips after delivery?
A: No. Tips are set when order is placed (unlike some platforms).
Q: What if restaurant doesn’t have order ready?
A: Wait or unassign (completion rate drops if you unassign too much).
Q: Can you dash in multiple cities?
A: Yes! Dash anywhere in U.S./Canada.
Q: What if customer claims food not delivered?
A: Take pictures at every delivery. DoorDash investigates. Photo proof protects you.
Q: Can you get deactivated?
A: Yes, for low completion rate (below 80%), fraud, safety issues, extremely low ratings. Stay above 4.2 rating and 80% completion.
Q: Do you get benefits?
A: No. Independent contractor. No health insurance, PTO, 401k.
DoorDash vs. Uber Eats vs. Grubhub
| Factor | DoorDash | Uber Eats | Grubhub |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Share | #1 (60%) ✅ | #2 (25%) | #3 (10%) |
| Earnings | $12-25/hr | $12-22/hr | $12-20/hr |
| Flexibility | Complete ✅ | Complete | Complete |
| Order Volume | Highest ✅ | High | Lower |
| Approval | Fast ✅ | Fast | Medium |
| App Quality | Good ✅ | Good | Okay |
DoorDash advantages:
- Most orders (highest market share)
- Most cities/restaurants
- Good app
- Fast approval
DoorDash disadvantages:
- Lower base pay sometimes
- Hidden tips system
- Oversaturated some markets
Alright, Let’s Get You Hired at DoorDash
So there you have it—everything about how to get hired at DoorDash.
Is it easy money? Not really.
Is it real work? Yes (driving, waiting, stress).
Can you make decent money with true flexibility? Absolutely.
If you want genuine work-whenever-you-want flexibility, have a reliable car, and don’t mind driving around, DoorDash is the most accessible gig out there.
Your Action Plan (Do This Today):
- ✅ Go to DoorDash.com/dasher or download “DoorDash – Dasher” app
- ✅ Complete application (15 minutes)
- ✅ Submit background check
- ✅ Wait for approval (24-48 hours)
- ✅ Watch training videos (20 minutes)
- ✅ Buy hot bags on Amazon ($15-30)
- ✅ Download Stride app (track mileage for taxes)
- ✅ Position near restaurant clusters
- ✅ Start with peak hours (lunch/dinner)
- ✅ Be selective—decline bad orders!
DoorDash is approving dashers constantly. Now that you know how to get hired at DoorDash, you’re ready to start.
Go deliver some food. 🍕
