Requirements
Do I qualify to drive?
The honest answer to “can I do this?” — including what to do if you're missing something.
What every platform needs
Age 18+ (21+ for rideshare)
DoorDash/Uber Eats/Instacart accept 18+. Lyft and most Uber rides require 21+. If you're 18–20, focus on delivery.
Valid U.S. driver's license
Held 1+ year for most platforms; 2–3 years for rideshare. Suspensions disqualify you until cleared.
Smartphone with data
Recent iOS or Android with active data. Everything runs through the app.
Bank account or debit card
Weekly direct deposit by default. Same-day cashout available on most apps for a small fee.
SSN or EIN
You're a 1099 contractor — no withholding, you'll get a 1099-NEC at year-end.
Vehicle requirements by platform
Quick reference for what each gig app accepts. Use Check Your Car above to test a specific VIN.
| Platform | Model year | Doors | Body type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DoorDash | Any | Any (or bike) | Car · bike · scooter · motorcycle | No model-year restriction. |
| Uber Eats | Any | Any (or bike) | Car · bike · scooter | Some markets allow walking. |
| Uber X | 2005+ (often 2015+) | 4-door | Sedan, SUV, hatchback | No commercial branding. Varies by city. |
| Lyft | 2005–2010+ varies | 4-door | Sedan, SUV | Vehicle age cutoff varies by metro. |
| Instacart | Any | Any | Any car that holds groceries | Shopping role, not rideshare. |
| Spark | Any | Any | Car · midsize SUV · pickup | Must hold reasonable cargo. |
| HopSkipDrive | ≤15 yrs (≤10 in Tier-1 metros) | 4-door | Sedan/SUV | Tier-1: DC, MD, PA, MN, WA. Caregiver experience required. |
Insurance — the part most people miss
Personal auto policy is NOT enough
Standard coverage excludes commercial use. A claim on delivery without proper coverage gets denied AND your policy can be canceled.
What you need
Either a rideshare/gig endorsement on your policy (~$10–$20/mo) or the platform's commercial coverage that kicks in only while a delivery is active. Most drivers pick the endorsement.
Carriers that offer endorsements
Progressive · GEICO · State Farm · Allstate · USAA · Liberty Mutual. Erie and Farmers in some states.
Background check — what disqualifies you
Driving record
1–2 minor violations in 3 years is usually fine. DUI/reckless in last 7 years disqualifies. Suspensions need to be resolved.
Criminal background
Felonies in last 7 years, anything sexual/violent, theft/fraud disqualify. Misdemeanors usually fine. Each platform runs its own check.
Timing
Background checks take 3–7 days normally, sometimes 2 weeks if a flag needs verifying.