Can you deliver in your car? Vehicle requirements for UberEATS, Postmates, DoorDash, and more

Delivering for delivery apps is becoming more popular, especially for people who don’t have the right vehicle to drive for Uber and Lyft. Most cities in the US now have Postmates, DoorDash, UberEATS, Amazon Flex, or Deliv, so if you’re interested in trying delivery, learn the vehicle requirements and consider applying.

The vehicle requirements for Postmates and DoorDash are minimal: Any working vehicle qualifies and you can even deliver on a bicycle in some cities. UberEATS  requirements can be different: Some cities allow any car, other cities require a vehicle that matches UberX requirements.

Get started with the application process: Apply to Postmates, DoorDash, or UberEATS. By using my referral links, you’ll be eligible for the best bonus in your area and I also may receive a bonus for referring you.

Postmates and DoorDash vehicle requirements

Postmates and DoorDash share similar requirements:

• Any car, truck, or van in any condition qualifies. The number of doors and passenger capacity doesn’t matter.
• You must have an in-state personal auto insurance policy covering at least the state minimum
  • Your name must be on the insurance policy
• Your name does not have to be on the registration
• There is no vehicle inspection

Delivering on scooters, bicycles, and mopeds

You can use a bicycle or moped to deliver for Postmates and DoorDash in some larger cities. Neither company publishes a list of cities where you can use bicycles, so I asked and got an answer from DoorDash.

You can deliver for DoorDash on a bicycle in these cities

• Toronto
• Raleigh-Durham
• Phoenix
• Northern California, Peninsula
• Miami
• Minneapolis
• New York
• DC (Washington DC)
• Boston

When you apply to drive, there will be an option to select a bicycle as your vehicle those cities.

UberEATS vehicle requirements

Vehicle requirements for UberEATS are much more lenient than the vehicle requirements for Uber ridesharing services.

• A vehicle year 1998 or newer
• 2 doors or 4 doors is ok
• Bicycle delivery is available in larger, dense cities

Apply directly to UberEATS to avoid the more difficult Uber rideshare application. It’s possible that some cities still require you to qualify for UberX in order to do EATS. If that’s the case, see the UberX vehicle requirements to see if your vehicle qualifies.

You have to pass a background and driving record check for all three companies

Postmates, DoorDash, and UberEATS use Checkr to run a background and driving record check. You will be disqualified for any major violations in the last 7 years: DUI, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and others. You’re also likely to be disqualified if you have more than 2 moving violations in the last 3 years.

• Will you pass the Uber background check?
• DoorDash driver requirements

Amazon Flex vehicle requirements

Amazon Flex is a delivery program that hires independent drivers to do local deliveries. As a Flex driver, you sign up for shift blocks of 3 – 4 hours, pick up packages from a central location, then delivery them around town using directions inside the Flex app.

• Vehicle must be a four-door sedan, a pickup truck, or a minivan
• Trucks and minivans may be eligible for extra earnings

Read more about driving for Amazon Flex:

• Can you deliver for Amazon Flex? A job overview

Deliv vehicle requirements

Deliv is a same-day delivery services that hires independent contractors to perform deliveries. It has fairly easy vehicle and driver requirements and operates in most major US cities.

• Vehicle must be 15 years old or newer
• One year of driving experience
• Drivers can be 18 years or older

Read more about driving for Deliv:

• Is Deliv a good job? Driver requirements and more

Do you need special insurance to drive for delivery apps?

None of the delivery companies require commercial or rideshare auto insurance, but you may find that your personal auto insurance policy excludes delivery driving. Check with your insurance company, and seek out a ride share policy if you find that your current policy won’t cover you while you’re driving for delivery apps. Insurance companies typically only ask if you were driving for Uber or Lyft when you file a claim, so most delivery drivers don’t mention that they were driving for delivery.

Learn more about driving for Postmates, DoorDash, and UberEATS

I’ve described what all three jobs are like in more detail here:

• Driving for UberEATS: What it’s like delivery food for Uber
• Should you be a delivery driver for Postmates or DoorDash?