How Long Does The Doordash Background Check Take?

So, you just applied to become a Dasher and you're wondering: how long does DoorDash's background check take?

This is a very common question new drivers have. After all, it's one of the final steps before you can start making money with DoorDash and hit the road!

But there are some important things to know about the DoorDash background check that can impact if you even pass it in the first place.

That's why this post is covering exactly how the background check works, how long it takes, and what it checks.

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What Is The DoorDash Background Check?

The DoorDash background check is a mandatory background check you must pass if you want to deliver for DoorDash. It looks for any violations on your driving and criminal records to see if you're a safe driver. Checkr is the third-party company that runs the background check, and you must consent to this check if you want to become a driver.

You provide information to DoorDash and Checkr when you submit your application to become a driver. This information includes:

• Your Social Security Number
• Date of birth
• Full name

Once you submit this info, Checkr begins the background check process, and you have to wait for this to clear until you get your DoorDash activation kit and can begin Dashing.

How Long Does The DoorDash Background Check Take?

The DoorDash background check takes around five to seven business days on average. But many Dashers say the process takes two weeks or more, and if many people are applying to DoorDash and other gig apps, it might take longer. Ultimately, how long you wait depends on how fast Checkr can complete all its necessary checks.

As these drivers share on Reddit, your background check can clear within a day or two but can also take a month in some scenarios. Some drivers even report the background check clearing in 15 minutes!

To speed up the background check, make sure you submit all of your information correctly. This means using your legal full name and filling out every form properly/double check before submitting.

What Does The Background Check Look For?

The background check for DoorDash and similar driving gigs checks two main records:

• Your criminal record
• Your motor vehicle history/driving record

Specifically, DoorDash and Checkr look for driving violations like speeding tickets and accidents within the last three years as well as major offenses like getting a DUI within the last seven years. The background check also looks for drug and criminal offenses for the last seven years and if you're on the National Sex-Offender Registry for the last seven years.

This background check follows the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), so Checkr can only see non-convictions that are as old as seven years. Convictions can appear on your background check regardless of when they happened.

However, as Checkr explains, different states have different laws for how long non-convictions can appear on a background check. And only a few states (California, New York, Kentucky, and New Mexico) prevent non-convictions from being reported on a background check at all.

Check your state's laws regarding what information background checks can include to know exactly what Checkr will find.

What Can Disqualify You From Becoming A DoorDash Driver?

The following offenses can disqualify you from becoming a DoorDash driver:

• Several minor driving violations in the last three years (speeding tickets, accidents, driving without insurance, etc.)
• Having a DUI within the last seven years
• Drug offenses within the last seven years
• Criminal offenses within the last seven years
• Being on the National Sex-Offended Registry within the last seven years

What To Do If You Fail The Background Check

If you fail DoorDash's background check for violations that you know should be on your record, there's not much you can do unfortunately. And many other jobs like DoorDash, such as Instacart and Amazon Flex, run very similar background checks that have the same requirements.

However, DoorDash has a process in place to dispute background check results with Checkr. Here's what it says on its website:

If you believe that the contents of your background check are inaccurate or incomplete, you may contact Checkr, Inc. (the company that provided the background check to DoorDash) directly by phone at 844-824-3257 or by using the Checkr applicant portal.  The notice will also provide how you can contact DoorDash to appeal its decision if the contents of the background check are accurate but there is additional information you want to provide.  

This is your best hope to overturn a rejected DoorDash application, so make sure you review your background check results carefully and dispute them if they're inaccurate.

And, of course, you can always explore other side hustle ideas that don't require a background check. Examples include selling stuff on Etsy, doing odd jobs for cash, or various online money-making ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Far Back Does The DoorDash Background Check Go?

The DoorDash background check that Checkr conducts will find any convictions on your criminal record and driving history. However, it will only show incidents and non-convictions that occured within the last seven years, and a few states prohibit non-convictions from showing up at all.

Does DoorDash Hire Felons?

DoorDash does hire felons, but major criminal charges like assault or driving records like getting a DUI pretty much eliminate your chance of getting hired. But if you have more minor charges from a long time ago, you can still deliver food for DoorDash in many cases.

Can I Check The Status Of My DoorDash Background Check?

You can review the status of your DoorDash background check by logging into Checkr's applicant portal. There are five different status phases for your background check:

• Complete: This means you've submitted the information Checkr needs to complete its background check.
• Pending: This status means Checkr is waiting for results from various counties regarding your criminal history.
• Clear: A Clear status means you passed DoorDash's background check are are eligible to drive.
• Consider: This means there are some concerning elements of your background check, like accidents or many speeding tickets, and DoorDash needs to decide if it's going to accept you or not.
• Dispute: This means you can't drive for DoorDash and failed the background check. However, you can request the details of your background check and dispute it for the next 30 days of receiving this notification.

Can I Remove Points & DUIs From My Driving Record?

If your driving record is holding you back from driving for companies like DoorDash or Uber Eats, you can always inquire with your DMV about expunging that info from your record. This isn't always possible, but it's sometimes possible to get points taken off your driving record depending on the circumstances. Do your research online for your state laws to see what's possible.

Does DoorDash Run Background Checks For Active Drivers?

Yes, DoorDash runs background checks again on active drivers every once in a while. This is to ensure that nothing major has changed with your driving or criminal record. If you have new convictions or major violations, this can result in deactivation from DoorDash and there isn't much you can do.

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide on how long the DoorDash background check takes helps explain what the process is like and what Checkr is even looking for.

DoorDash is an excellent way to make quick money. But you have to follow the onboarding process, which can mean waiting a week or two for the background check.

And remember: even if you hit the DoorDash waitlist or get turned away from Dashing, you can always try plenty of other side hustle ideas.

Best of luck!

Looking for even more money-making ideas? Checkout:

• The Best Ways To Earn $400 A Day.
• How To Make The Most Money With DoorDash.
• What's The Best Time To Do DoorDash?