Can You Do DoorDash With A DUI?

Can you do DoorDash with a DUI? The short answer is yes, you may be able to sign up to be a Dasher with a DUI on your record. However, there’s no guarantee. If I had to guess, it’s probably a 50% chance of approval for most people, with your chances increasing or decreasing depending on how long ago the DUI occurred.

With that being said, in this post, we’ll consider the question of whether you can do DoorDash with a DUI, specifically looking at the factors that DoorDash considers, and discuss what you can do if you’re in this situation.

Can You Do DoorDash With A DUI?

To sign up as a Dasher for DoorDash, you must first go through a background check. DoorDash uses Checkr to do the background checks. It’s a service that almost every gig economy app uses to run background checks.

The background check looks at two things: (1) your criminal history, and (2) your motor vehicle record. DoorDash will always review your criminal history, but it won’t look at your motor vehicle history if you’re applying to deliver for DoorDash as a biker.

Here’s what matters if you have potential issues to consider with your background check. First, DoorDash only looks at incidents within the past seven years. Felonies, however, have no time limit and will likely automatically disqualify you from delivering for DoorDash.

Second, motor vehicle history only goes back three years, but DoorDash will look for DUIs within the past seven years. That means if you have had a DUI in the past seven years, you likely will have trouble getting approved. That being said, DoorDash does state that it only reviews motor vehicle history if you are applying to deliver using a vehicle (however, whether a DUI appears on your criminal history likely depends on how serious it was).

Finally, If you pass the background check, DoorDash will approve your account and send you a DoorDash activation kit, which includes a delivery bag and your DoorDash Red Card.

In addition to running a background check the first time you apply to be a Dasher, DoorDash also runs recurring background checks, typically once per year. This is automatic and you don’t need to do anything on your end. However, it means if you receive a DUI after you’ve been approved to do DoorDash, you could be deactivated later on.

What Can You Do If You Have A DUI?

If you have a DUI, you aren’t completely out of luck. There are a few things you can try to get approved as a Dasher. These include the following:

1. Apply As A Biker

If you have a recent DUI on your record, your best bet to get approved is to opt to sign up as a biker on DoorDash. This is because DoorDash does not review your motor vehicle history if you apply as a biker.

In my view, biking is the optimal way to do deliveries in most large cities, mainly because you are more efficient, won’t have to worry about traffic or parking, and won’t have to worry about gas or other vehicle expenses. I only use a bike to do deliveries with DoorDash (and I’ve never had any DUIs – I do it out of choice). If you use an ebike, you can get the best of all worlds – fast, efficient transportation and you won’t get tired or sweaty.

That being said, there’s no guarantee that applying as a biker will get you approved for DoorDash even if you have a DUI. That’s because while DoorDash won’t review your motor vehicle history if you apply as a biker, it will still review your criminal history. If your DUI appears on your criminal history, you may still have issues getting approved.

Still, this is the first option I’d consider if you do have a DUI.

2. Provide A Letter Of Explanation

If DoorDash rejects your application because of your background check, you’ll receive a letter explaining why you were rejected (this is called an adverse action notice). You’ll also receive instructions in the notice on how to appeal the decision.

If you have a good explanation or think further information could help, you can send a letter of explanation to DoorDash. There might be reasons why your DUI happened and DoorDash may approve you if you have a good explanation for it.

That being said, I consider the chances of getting your decision reversed slim, so I wouldn’t rely on this route, but it could be worth a shot if you have no other choices. There is a thread on Reddit where one Dasher claims that he was able to get approved as a Dasher with a DUI by contacting support and showing how “eager” he was to be a Dasher. I can’t verify whether this Dasher really was approved, but it’s at least a potential example of someone getting approved after being denied by providing a letter of explanation. At a minimum, being persistent likely helps if you’re trying to get approved for DoorDash with a DUI.

3. Sign Up For Other Delivery Apps

Finally, no matter what happens with your DoorDash application, it’s always worth applying to deliver with other delivery apps. Uber Eats and Grubhub both have similar criminal history and motor vehicle history requirements, but there’s always a chance that another app might approve you even if DoorDash won’t. You have nothing to lose other than the small amount of time it takes to apply.

Final Thoughts

If you have a DUI on your record, you’re going to face an uphill battle getting your DoorDash application approved. It’s not impossible, but you have to accept that an app where you’re primarily driving will have issues with someone who has a recent DUI.

DoorDash has a good FAQ that provides information about how their background check process works. I think it’s worth reviewing it to get a better idea of how the background check process works. I also have a post I wrote about the DoorDash background check, which is worth reading as well.

One other option that you could consider, although I don’t recommend it, is to try to use someone else’s Dasher account. In theory, DoorDash does allow Dashers to subcontract their work to others. However, the independent contractor agreement requires any subcontractors to pass a background check too, so in theory, you can’t do it this way, but I thought I’d briefly mention it here as a potential solution.

But in short, if you do have a DUI on your record, your best bet is going to be to apply as a biker and see if you can get approved that way. Otherwise, provide a good letter of explanation if your application is rejected and be persistent with following up with DoorDash.

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More Recommended Ebike/Scooters

Check out these other ebikes and scooters I've reviewed:

Urban Arrow Ebike – Last year, I made one of the largest purchases I’ve ever made – I bought a $9,000 electric cargo bike from Urban Arrow. In my Urban Arrow review, I will discuss what it is and why I decided to buy this bike, as well as discuss how impactful a bike like this can be on your journey to financial independence.
Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Ebike – The Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is a fat-tire ebike that I’ve had the pleasure of riding for a while now. It has amazing power, great looks, and awesome range. If you’re looking for a great fat-tire ebike that offers a lot for the price, the Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is definitely one for you to consider. Check out my Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Review.
Hovsco HovBeta Ebike – The HovBeta is a folding ebike with great specs and a lot of interesting features, and importantly, it’s sold at a good price point. I’ve had a blast commuting with it and using it to do deliveries with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Check out my Hovsco HovBeta Ebike Review.
Vanpowers Manidae Ebike – The Vanpowers Manidae is a fat tire ebike that I’ve been riding as my primary winter commuting bike and have also been using it to do food delivery with apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. After clocking in a decent number of miles with this ebike, I wanted to write a post sharing what my experience with the Vanpowers Manidae ebike has been like. Check out my Vanpowers Manidae Review.
Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding EBike Review – A Great Value Folding Ebike – The Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding Ebike is an entry-level folding ebike that offers a lot of value for the price point. I’ve been riding the Sohamo S3 for a while now, putting the bike through its paces, and I have to say, this bike has exceeded all of my expectations. Check out my Sohamo Review.
KBO Flip Ebike – The KBO Flip is an excellent bike. I’ve had a great time riding it and think it’s a versatile bike that can be used for a lot of purposes and can fit a variety of lifestyles. It’s worked out great for me as a general commuter bike and as a food delivery bike. Check out my KBO Flip Review.
Hiboy P7 Commuter Ebike – The Hiboy P7 is an excellent electric commuter bike that’s offered at an affordable price point. The range and speed of this bike are both very good, so you won’t have any trouble getting anywhere you need to go with it. As a food delivery vehicle, this is also good – with how much range it offers, you’ll be able to work all day on a single charge. Check out my Hiboy P7 Commuter Electric Bike Review.
Himiway Escape Ebike – The Himiway Escape is an interesting bike for anyone looking for a moped-style ebike. If you’re a gig economy worker, the Himiway Escape is particularly interesting and it’s possible to think of it as an investment, especially if you can opt to do deliveries with the Himiway versus using a car. It’s not cheap, but you can definitely make your money back when you compare the mileage you’ll put on your car versus using an ebike. Check out my Himiway Escape Bike Review.
Espin Sport Ebike – The Espin Sport is a good ebike for someone who is looking for an ebike that feels and rides more like a regular bike. There are many ebikes that are really only bikes in name. In reality, they’re basically electric mopeds. The Espin Sport, by contrast, is a bike you could probably ride without the battery and you’d feel like you’re just riding a regular bike. Check out my Espin Sport Review.
Varla Eagle One Scooter – The Varla Eagle One is an excellent scooter that can make sense for a lot of people. It can work as a primary mode of transportation. You can use it to work on gig economy apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. And it can also be a recreational vehicle if you’d prefer to use it for that. Check out my Varla Eagle One Review.
Varla Falcon Scooter – The Varla Falcon is an excellent scooter that offers a good amount of power at a lower price point compared to more powerful scooters. It’s not exactly an entry-level scooter, nor is it a high-powered scooter. I think it fits somewhere in-between those two categories – an intermediate scooter if I had to give it a category. Check out my Varla Falcon Review.
Hiboy S2 Scooter – The Hiboy S2 is an excellent entry-level commuter scooter that's perfect for someone looking to save some money in transportation costs and improve their commute. Check out my Hiboy S2 Review.
Hiboy S2R Scooter – The Hiboy S2R is one of the more interesting electric scooters I’ve been able to test out. It’s not a high-powered scooter, but for an everyday transport option, it’s very useful, especially given some of the unique features that it has. Indeed, for the price, the Hiboy S2R might be the best value scooter I’ve used. Check out my Hiboy S2R Review.
Fucare H3 Scooter – The Fucare H3 is a fun scooter and I’ve enjoyed testing it out. For a daily commuter or quick trips or errands, the Fucare H3 is probably the scooter I’ll use. It’s portable and easy to maneuver, so it’s just easier to take on the road when I need it. Check out my Fucare H3 Scooter Review.

More Recommended Investing App Bonuses

For additional investing app bonuses, be sure to check out the ones below:

M1 Finance ($100) – This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $100 for opening an account. Check out my M1 Finance Referral Bonus – Step-By-Step Guide.
SoFi Invest ($25) – SoFi Invest is an easy brokerage account bonus that you can earn with just a few minutes of work. Use my SoFi Invest referral link, fund your SoFi Invest brokerage account with just $10 and you’ll get $25 of free stock. I also have a step-by-step guide for the SoFi Invest referral bonus.
Webull (20 free stock shares) – Webull's current promotion gives you 20 free shares valued between $3-$3,000 each if you open an account using my referral link. Here’s a guide I wrote about how to earn your free shares using Webull.
Moomoo (15 free stocks) – Moomoo is a free investing app currently offering 2 different referral bonuses if you open an account using a referral link. Read my Moomoo referral bonus guide for more information.
Robinhood (1 free stock) – Robinhood gives you a free stock valued between $2.50-$225 if you open an account using my referral link.
Public (1 free stock) - Public gives you a free stock valued between $3-$70 if you open an account using my referral link.

More Recommended Bank Account Bonuses

If you’re looking for more easy bank bonuses, check out the below options. These bonuses are all easy to earn and have no fees or minimum balance requirements to worry about.

Upgrade ($200) – Upgrade is a free checking account that’s currently offering a $200 referral bonus if you open an account and complete a direct deposit. These bonus terms are easy to meet, so it’s well worth doing this bonus as soon as you can. Here’s a post I wrote with more details: Upgrade $200 Referral Bonus – Step By Step Directions.
Ally Bank ($100) – Of all the banks out there, Ally is, without a doubt, my favorite. At the moment, Ally is offering $100 to customers who open an eligible Ally account and meet the requirements. Here are the step-by-step directions to earn your Ally Bank referral bonus.
Fairwinds Credit Union ($175) – Fairwinds Credit Union is offering a referral bonus for users that sign up using a referral link. Fairwinds has no fees or minimum balance, so this is a particularly easy bonus to earn. Since this is a smaller credit union, my gut instinct tells me this offer won’t be around long, so if you’re in a position to meet the bonus requirements, grab this bonus before it’s gone. Here is my step-by-step guide on how to earn your Fairwinds Credit Union bonus.
Chime ($100) - Chime is a free bank account that offers a referral bonus if you use a referral link and complete a direct deposit of $200 or more. In practice, any ACH transfer into this account triggers the bonus. This bonus is easy to earn and posts instantly, so you’ll know if you met the requirements as soon as you move money into the account. I wrote a step-by-step guide on how to earn your Chime referral bonus that I recommend you check out.
US Bank Business ($900) – This is a fairly easy bank bonus to earn, since there are no direct deposit requirements. In addition, you can open the Silver Business Checking account, which comes with no monthly fees. Check out how to earn this big bonus here.
GO2Bank ($50) - GO2Bank is an easy bank bonus that I recommend people take advantage of if they have an easy way of meeting the direct deposit requirement. I like that it’s easy to open the account and that the bonus pays out quickly. Check out my step-by-step guide on how to earn your GO2Bank $50 referral bonus.
Current ($50) – Current is a free fintech bank that’s offering new users a $50 referral bonus after signing up for an account using a referral link. Current is an easy bonus to earn and also gives you access to three savings accounts that pay you 4% interest on up to $2,000. That means you can put away up to $6,000 earning 4% interest. That’s very good and makes Current an account I recommend to everyone. Check out my step-by-step guide on how to earn your Current Bank bonus.
Novo Bank ($40) - Novo bank is a free business checking account that’s currently offering a $40 bonus if you open a Novo business checking account using a referral link. In addition to being a good bank bonus, Novo is also a good business checking account. It has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements and operates a good app and website. Indeed, it’s the business checking account I currently use for this blog. Check out my post on how to easily open a Novo account.
Varo ($25) – Varo is a free fintech banking app similar to Chime or Current. It’s currently offering a $25 bonus to new users that open a new Varo account with a referral link. The bonus for this bank is very easy to meet, all you need to do is spend $20 within 30 days of opening your Varo account. Check out my step-by-step guide to learn how to earn this bonus.

Kevin is an attorney and the blogger behind Financial Panther, a blog about personal finance, travel hacking, and side hustling using the gig economy. He paid off $87,000 worth of student loans in just 2.5 years by choosing not to live like a big shot lawyer.

Kevin is passionate about earning money using the gig economy and you can see all the ways he makes extra income every month in his side hustle reports.

Kevin is also big on using the latest fintech apps to improve his finances. Some of Kevin's favorite fintech apps include:

SoFi Money. A really good checking account with absolutely no fees. You'll get a $25 referral bonus if you open a SoFi Money account with a referral link, and an additional $300 if you complete a direct deposit.
5% Savings Accounts. I'm currently getting 5.24% interest on my savings through a company called Raisin. Opening a Raisin account takes minutes to complete, it's free, and all of your funds are FDIC-insured. I explain how it works, why I'm now using it to store my emergency fund and any other cash savings I have, and why I recommend everyone check it out in this review.
US Bank Business. US Bank is currently offering new business customers a $900 signup bonus after opening a new account and meeting certain requirements.
M1 Finance. This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $100 for opening an account.
Empower. One of best free apps you can use to monitor your portfolio and track your net worth. This is one of the apps I use to track my financial accounts.

Feel free to send Kevin a message here.