Driving for DoorDash is a great way to make some extra money on the side, and as a Dasher, it’s important to know the rules that you must follow while driving.
In order to ensure safety for both you and our customers, we’ve put together a list of best practices to follow while on the job.
In this guide, we’ll cover the rules for DoorDash Dashers that you must follow, so that you can avoid being deactivated for breaking them.
Table Of Contents
General Rules for DoorDash Dashers to Know
Once you’re approved to become a Doordash driver, you need to download the app and set up your account.
But before you start to dash, here are some general rules for Doordash Dashers you need to know.
Can You Share a DoorDash Account?
To get approved to become a Doordash Dasher, you have consented to a background check and provided a valid driver’s license.
The account is created based on your individual information and qualifications.
So, no, you cannot have a shared account with anyone else.
Although, technically, nothing can stop you from sharing a Dasher account with someone else.
However, if you are caught, you risk getting deactivated.
When you agree to the terms of service, you agree not to share your account with anyone.
If you choose to share your account with someone, you will be violating the contract you agreed to when you became a DoorDash Dasher.
Can Someone Else DoorDash for Me?
Although someone cannot dash under your account or assume your identity, you have the freedom to choose whether or not someone else is driving to make the deliveries.
You are not considered an employee, but you are an independent contractor.
This makes it so that you have complete control over the method you choose to deliver the food.
That said, the other person dashing with you also needs to be a valid DoorDash Dasher.
So if you choose to hire an employee or subcontractor to help you on your route, make sure they are already a Dasher.
Can You DoorDash With Someone Else’s Car?
You have complete freedom to dash using whatever mode of transportation you like.
If your friend, roommate, or family member has a better car than yours, you can use theirs.
If you have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving history but don’t have a car, just make sure you have insurance.
Can You Do DoorDash All Day?
How often and long you dash is entirely up to you.
You are not locked into a minimum number of deliveries per week.
And on the flip side of that, you won’t be capped at a certain number of deliveries either.
If you want to do DoorDash all day, every day, then you’re free to do so.
There’s no limit to how much you can make with DoorDash.
Rules for DoorDash Dashers About Passengers
Freedom is a big reason that most people turn to independent contract work instead of the more conventional jobs.
Maybe you’re considering becoming a dasher because you like the prospect of working with your partner or lack childcare options.
Below are a couple of common questions regarding having passengers in the car with you while you’re on your DoorDash route.
Can Couples Do DoorDash?
There is no explicit rule about dashing with a partner.
Since you are not an employee of DoorDash, you’re free to conduct your business in whatever manner you see fit.
Since riding as a couple would be different than hiring an employee or subcontractor, there shouldn’t be a problem having your special person ride along with you.
If you are dashing late at night, it may make you feel more secure to have someone with you.
And depending on where you live, this is completely understandable.
If you’d choose to ride as a couple, but your partner does not have a DoorDash account, it’s best to make sure you’re the one in contact with the restaurants and the customers.
But since you aren’t employing them or paying them with your DoorDash earnings, this shouldn’t violate any agreement between you and DoorDash.
Can I DoorDash With a Child?
DoorDash doesn’t have any rules against dashing with kids, but you shouldn’t leave them in the car while making deliveries.
Remember that dashing with young children will slow you down and make your dash time less profitable.
It’s best to arrange for a friend or family member to babysit for you or ride with you, but sometimes that’s just not an option.
As long as they aren’t interfering with your ability to work, having them with you is not a problem at all.
It’s nice to have a job without worrying about hiring a babysitter or making daycare arrangements.
But you don’t want to put your kids in danger, so keep that in mind before you decide to bring them on your route.
Rules for DoorDash Dashers About Driving Zones
When you open up the DoorDash Dasher app for the first time, it’ll ask you for your location.
You’ll see different areas and cities on the map for your zone.
The questions below address dashing in different locations.
Can I DoorDash in Another City?
Yes, you can absolutely dash in another city.
The DoorDash app uses your location to navigate you throughout your route.
When you open up the DoorDash app, you’ll be prompted to update your location.
Then you will automatically see the option to “Dash Now” if it’s busy enough in that area.
The only time you wouldn’t be able to dash in a new city is if DoorDash isn’t available there.
DoorDash is adding new cities all the time, so it’s easy to find opportunities to dash where you may not expect, even in the smaller, more rural areas.
Can I DoorDash in Another State?
If you like to travel, DoorDash makes it pretty easy to make money all over the place.
There aren’t any restrictions on where you can dash so long as you stay within your country.
If you live on the border of Canada, you would have to dash within the U.S.
To dash in a new state, just follow the directions in the previous question about dashing in a new city.
Related: The best times to DoorDash
Rules for DoorDash Dashers About Technology
The beauty of working in a technology-driven business is learning how to “hack” your way into earning more money.
There are ways you can do this and still be ethical, and the answers to those questions are below.
Can You Do DoorDash on Two Phones?
If you are an experienced Dasher and want the opportunity to double your earnings, you may be wondering if you can use two phones.
This would enable you to pick up twice as many orders.
As discussed earlier, using someone else’s account or letting someone else use your account is a big no-no.
So if you want to use two different phones to pick up different orders, you need to have the second account owner with you on your route.
This is a great opportunity for couples to dash together, especially if you have kids.
That way, you’re earning double, and there is always a parent present in the car with the kids.
Can You Work for DoorDash and Instacart at the Same Time?
Technically, yes, you can work on both apps simultaneously.
But keep in mind they have different policies about acceptance rates.
Instacart is stricter than DoorDash regarding acceptance rates—the number of orders you accept vs. decline.
If you have to decline a few Instacart orders to complete your DoorDash orders, they may kick you off the shift.
In some cases, you could receive a liability incident.
Rules for DoorDash Dashers About Requirements
DoorDash requires certain information when you complete a delivery, such as whether or not you have to take a picture.
Below are some common questions regarding these requirements.
Does DoorDash Require a Picture?
Yes, DoorDash requires a picture for some deliveries.
Since 2020, DoorDash now offers the option to have a contactless delivery.
For this reason, DoorDash requires you to photograph where you left the food.
If a customer requests you to leave the food at the door, you will be automatically prompted within the DoorDash app to take a picture before you complete your delivery.
Can DoorDash Customers See Your Name?
When you accept an order, you may notice that you can see the customer’s first name and last initial.
They see the same information about you on the customer’s end.
All that’s available for them to see is your first name and last initial.
They do not have access to your phone number or other personal information.
Wrapping Up
DoorDash is a lucrative opportunity, so make sure you follow the rules for DoorDash Dashers to prevent you from getting deactivated.
Although there are ways around some of these rules, it’s best to operate your delivery services ethically and safely.
Question: We had a Doordash person trying to deliver pizza to us (wrong house) yesterday at 5:34 PM and it seemed very suspicious to us as the location they said they were looking for was a few miles away. We have a huge sign at the start of our driveway stating our address so they should have known this was the wrong area. The girl got out of the car, came to our door with pizza box. The man sat in his car and filmed…not her, but our house. My daughter noticed and took out her phone to try to film him as they stayed for quite a while. He saw my daughter and started vaping. Smoke filled his car. The girl got in the car and they sat there for quite a while. Car was a darker grey 2013 Hyun Elantra Miorel Farcasiu Bellevue. License plate: BPM4943. I realize your drivers can drive a variety of cars but can they film our homes? I understood they were just suppose to take a pic of the package left at the door. I have the video tape of the car and the girl (you can somewhat see the man before the car filled with smoke) if you need it. Thank you for checking into this. Don’t want them to give Doordash a bad name.