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Many young people face this dilemma: You have a car and insurance, but you’re too young to drive for Uber or Lyft.
You have to be 21 to drive for Uber and 25 for Lyft. Are there any other app-based jobs that hire younger drivers?
There is good news if you’re under 21: Delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart accept drivers who are 18 or 19.
How old do you have to be to drive for Uber & Lyft?
Drivers for Uber must be 21 years old or older. In California, the age requirement is 25. Drivers in all states must have at least one full year of driver’s license history.
Drivers for Lyft must be 25 or older in most cities, or 21 in a few select locations. Visit this Lyft page to see the exact Lyft age requirements in your city and state.
Licensing history requirements
- Uber: All drivers under age 23 must have at least three years of licensing history.
- Lyft: All drivers must have one year of licensing history.
So even if you meet the age requirement for either app, you might not qualify if you haven’t been driving long enough.
More about driver requirements
Too young for Uber or Lyft? These apps hire drivers 18 and older
These apps hire 18 and 19-year-olds and offer flexible work similar to Uber and Lyft.
- DoorDash — 18 years and older, 19 or older in California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia
- Uber Eats — 19 years and older for delivery drivers, 18 or older for bicyclists. Sign up for Uber Eats
- Instacart — 18 and older
- Shipt — 18 and older with one year of driving experience
- Spark — 18 and older
- Takl — 18 and older
- Caviar — 18 and older with two years of licensing history
- Grubhub — 19 and older
- Bird — Hires scooter chargers 18 and older
- Lime — Hires scooter chargers 18 and older
- Pizza delivery — Drivers can be younger than 18
Do any delivery apps accept 16-year-olds?
It may be legal for 16-year-olds to drive and get a job, but there aren’t currently any national delivery apps that accept 16-year-old drivers.
That means you can’t deliver for Uber Eats, DoorDash, Instacart, Shipt, Spark, and Grubhub if you are 16.
If you’re under 18 and you want to make money with your car, try looking for work as a delivery driver at local pizzerias and restaurants.
More about each driving & delivery gig
- DoorDash Driver Requirements
- Driving for Uber Eats: An Overview
- How to Become an Instacart Shopper
- Spark: Deliver for Walmart
- Shipt Shopper Requirements & Job Overview
Does your vehicle qualify for delivery apps?
Another benefit of driving for a delivery app is that the vehicle requirements are much more flexible than Uber & Lyft.
Uber Eats, Instacart, and DoorDash will accept any vehicle. Read the full details in the article below.
Not old enough AND you don’t have a car or licensing history? Try bicycle delivery
If you don’t have a car or you haven’t had your driver’s license long enough to qualify for an app, try looking into bicycle delivery.
DoorDash and Uber Eats offer bicycle delivery in denser urban areas.
To find out if a service offers bicycle delivery in your area, check the application page for each company. Bicycle delivery will be listed as an option if it is available in your city.
Zainj says
Hi im 20 and 3 months old and have a full year of driving experience can uner bend the rule for me.
DougH says
No, they never bend the rules. Try DoorDash and Postmates.
Michael says
I’m confused about Uber delivery vs Uber Eats. On their website for Uber eats, it says you have to be 21 to drive. Uber Delivery says you have to be 19, but it’s like the same thing. Which is it?
DougH says
I’m not entirely sure. You could apply and let me know what happens!
Iris says
No they are different. Uber Eats and Uber Drivers use the same app but the requirements are different. Uber Eats delivery drivers only receive requests that are delivery related. Eats requires that you be 19. The reason is that you’re only transporting food from A to B, not people.
I drove for Uber Eats at 19 🙂 if you live in a city where Eats is established it can be good money.
nouman essghir says
im 16 years old and i have a scooter and want to do delivery with uber i need the money please i hope i make it in uber i always wanted to be part of it so i can explore my city and expand my knowledge
DougH says
Unfortunately they won’t accept you if you’re younger than 18.
John Paul Chase says
I’m 16 looking to deliver by bike for UberEats. Would they bend the 18 rule?
DougH says
No, they won’t bend the rule.
Cameron Schneider says
what is the change of postdates being willing to bend the rules for me bring 17 years old, turning 18 in only 3 months?
DougH says
No chance. It’s basically a computer making the decision so there’s no wiggle room
Cameron says
So say im 18 years olf and ive had my permit till i was 18! On my 18th birthday i got my DL in Fl…. I want to work for papa johns but have only had my DL for half a year now with no tickets or accidents! Im insured legal and have a car! Will papa johns still hire me for delivery!?? They said they where desperate
DougH says
I’m not sure how pizza companies work. But the ride share and delivery companies require a full year of license history.
Chiyaa Zeighem says
Do I have to have a tlc license to work on uber eats?
Sandeep singh says
Hi I’m 19 year old nd I have a tlc lience can i drive with Uber?
DougH says
No, you must be 21.