Does DoorDash Drug Test in 2024?

The most important question; Does DoorDash Drug Test? And what other requirements are in place to get started with this side hustle?

Picking up some easy work as an independent DoorDash driver is a popular way to earn an extra income, but many people worry that using recreational drugs could ruin their chances of working for DoorDash.

Most large companies drug test applicants during the hiring process these days, and any recent drug use usually means an application is rejected.

But what about DoorDash? Do they drug test applicants before hiring?

Let’s find out!

Does DoorDash Drug Test in 2024?

Currently DoorDash does not require applicants for independent contract driver positions to pass a drug test. Which is certainly good news.

That said, you’re not in the clear just yet.

DoorDash carries out a background check on each applicant and if that background check shows any drug-related arrests or convictions, they may decide to pass you over.

And you should be aware that the background check doesn’t only look for drug offenses.

What’s more, unlike many companies that only carry out a pre-hire background check, DoorDash runs background checks on an annual basis.

This means that if you’re unlucky while you are driving around for work or running your errands, and have to take a roadside drug test that you fail, DoorDash will find out about it with your next background check.

Why Doesn’t DoorDash Drug Check Drivers?

For non-regulated driving work, there is no legal requirement for any company to drug test job applicants or employees.

Many companies carry out drug tests simply because they don’t want to deal with the consequences of having intoxicated workers on-site, causing them problems and potentially exposing them to lawsuits.

But as a DoorDash driver, you’re an independent contractor and not an employee, so this may be one reason why DoorDash decided a drug test isn’t necessary.

As an independent contractor, you don’t expose DoorDash to the same liability issues that they have to contend with as an employer. So they can afford to be less strict and forego drug testing in their hiring policy.

Because you’re an independent contractor, DoorDash can deactivate you from their platform very easily and they don’t have to follow strict employment laws before they can fire you. Drivers are easily hired and just as easily let go.

Another reason could be the costs involved. DoorDash wants to make money, and with over 1 million delivery Dashers, paying for drug tests would have quite an effect on their bottom line.

And because all of the delivery companies and rideshare companies are competing for the same pool of drivers, the harder a company makes it to sign up and qualify, the more difficulty they could face meeting customer demand.

Does DoorDash Carry Out Any Other Checks?

While drug testing isn’t part of their hiring process, DoorDash does carry out a background check on every applicant. Because you’ll be walking up to people’s front doors, DoorDash needs to know that you aren’t a risk to their customers.

To make sure that you’re a safe, responsible person, they use a third-party background checking company called Checkr, to look into your history.

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What Type Of Search Does A Background Check Company Make?

For DoorDash, the background check will confirm your identity documents and your right to work.

To work as a DoorDash driver, you need to be at least 18 years old, and you will need a Social Security number and a clean, valid driver’s license.

In addition to those basic checks, your background check will look for criminal history and driving violations.

Driving Record Check

Your driving record needs to have no more than 3 incidents over the last 3 years, and this is checked with a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR). This report shows both non-criminal and criminal driving violations.

Non-criminal violations are:

Speeding
Failing to yield
Failing to signal
Driving without functioning lights
Not wearing a seatbelt

Criminal violations are:

Driving under the influence (DUI)
Reckless driving
Driving while suspended
Hit and Run
Vehicular homicide

Obviously, DoorDash wants you to drive safely while you’re making their deliveries, but they also have to be able to insure you, and a clean driving record is needed to make that possible.

While you will need personal auto insurance, DoorDash gives you additional insurance cover that takes effect while you’re making deliveries.

Criminal Record Check

A criminal record background check typically searches for offenses committed over the past 7 years. That’s not to say that it can’t go back further, just that most DoorDash drivers report that theirs only covered 7 years.

For non-felony convictions, federal law limits background check companies to searches covering 7 years.

This means that your background check will report any arrests, warrants, charges, and misdemeanor convictions going back 7 years. If you have non-felony offenses older than 7 years, a background check cannot legally report them to DoorDash or any other employer.

The federal law concerned, The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), doesn’t place a limit on the reporting of felony convictions, however, and background checking company can report those to your employer no matter their age unless state law has put a reporting limitation in place.

DoorDash background checks usually take between 3 and 10 days to complete. Your background check could take longer, if Checkr is very busy or if you have moved around a lot and lived in multiple states.

DoorDash Ongoing Background Checks

In addition to their pre-hire background check, DoorDash will carry out yearly background checks on drivers active on their platform.

These background checks will look for the same information as your initial check. The purpose of ongoing background checks is to detect any recent criminal activity or driving offenses.

If recent offenses are found, DoorDash can choose to deactivate you from their platform, which means that you won’t be eligible to deliver for them any longer.

And of course, if you are stopped by police for a roadside drug test and get a positive result, that will show up on your next background check.

The roadside drug tests screen for the following substances:

Opiates
Cocaine
Marijuana
Amphetamines
Phencyclidine (PCP)

Does DoorDash Hire With A Criminal Record?

Whether DoorDash will hire you if you have a criminal record is decided on a case-by-case basis. The type of offense that you have on your record and its age will affect their final decision.

Misdemeanor offenses are less serious offenses, and unless it’s a driving misdemeanor within the last 3 years, or a conviction for theft, violence, or sexual assault, you should be able to deliver for DoorDash.

Having a felony conviction won’t automatically disqualify you from working for DoorDash, and once again the type of offense on your record and how long ago it occurred will be important factors that DoorDash looks at when they decide if they can hire you.

Having any of the following offenses on your record will make it unlikely that you will be hired.

Sexual offenses
Theft
Violent crimes
Driving under the influence
Many types of felony
Property damage

What Information Does DoorDash Need When I Apply?

DoorDash doesn’t need a lot of information from you when you apply. You’re applying to work as an independent contractor, not an employee, so they don’t have any interest in your college degree or your resume.

To apply to drive for DoorDash, you need to provide the following:

Name, address, and date of birth
Your driver’s license information
Social Security number
Your auto insurance details
The make, model, and year of registration for your vehicle and its color
Your bank details for payment

How Long Does A DoorDash Application Take?

Completing the DoorDash application doesn’t take very long. You enter your personal information and vehicle details on their website and agree to the background check.

You’ll also need to agree to receive texts and calls from the company.

The initial application process only takes a few minutes to complete as long as you have your vehicle information and driver’s license details sorted out beforehand. Then you just need to wait for your background check.

Once your background check is approved, you complete an orientation session. During orientation, you will learn company policies and procedures, get training on how to Dash, and fill out a few forms. This shouldn’t take longer than 1 hour.

Once you’ve finished the DoorDash orientation, your application is complete, and you can start work.

All drivers receive a DoorDash Activation kit. The kit includes a getting started instruction manual, an insulated bag for keeping food deliveries piping hot, and a DoorDash credit card. The credit card is called the Red Card and you use it to pay for customers’ orders.

How And When Do DoorDashers Get Paid?

You can choose how and when you get paid for your DoorDash deliveries.

If you choose weekly payments, your earnings are transferred directly to your bank account using direct deposit.

If you want this type of payment, make sure your account accepts direct deposits because some types of bank accounts don’t. Weekly payments are processed on Sunday and are usually in your account by Wednesday.

For daily payments, earnings are paid via Dasher Fast Pay. There is a fee for using Dasher Fast Pay and that fee is payable with every transfer. The fee comes off your earnings, DoorDash doesn’t cover it.

The third payment method is Dasher Direct. Earrings paid through Dasher Direct are loaded directly onto a prepaid debit card. There are no fees for this and you may get cashback on your gas during any promotional periods.

When customers pay in cash for their delivery, you accept the cash and the amount is deducted from your next DoorDash payment.

Conclusion

Now that you know the answer to the question, “Does DoorDash drug test?” is a firm no, you can go ahead and apply to work as an independent contractor making deliveries for DoorDash.

And as long as you meet their other hiring requirements and pass a background check, you’re all set and can look forward to making a solid extra income in your spare time.

The application and background check are all completed online, so it’s very easy to apply to be a Dasher.