Requirements
Do I qualify to drive?
The honest answer to “can I do this?”, by job type, including what to do if you are missing something.
What every driving job needs
Age 18+ (21+ for passenger work and interstate trucking)
Most delivery, parcel and courier roles accept 18+. Passenger work, chauffeur roles and interstate CDL driving require 21+. If you are 18 to 20, focus on delivery, parcel and local routes.
Valid U.S. driver's license
Held 1+ year for most roles; 2 to 3 years for passenger work. Suspensions disqualify you until cleared. CDL roles need the right class and endorsements.
Smartphone with data
Recent iOS or Android with active data. Dispatch, routing and proof of delivery all run through an app.
Bank account or debit card
Weekly direct deposit by default. Independent roles often add same-day cashout for a small fee.
SSN or EIN
Independent roles pay you as a 1099 contractor with no withholding. W2 roles withhold normally and issue a W-2.
Vehicle and license by job type
Quick reference for what each kind of driving job expects. Individual employers can be stricter.
| Job type | Vehicle | License | Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food & grocery delivery | Any car; bike or scooter in dense cities | Regular | 18+ | Own vehicle, own insurance. |
| Parcel & packages | Own car, SUV or van for blocks; company van for routes | Regular | 18+ (21+ on some routes) | Route jobs skip the vehicle requirement. |
| Courier & medical | Reliable sedan or larger | Regular | 18+ | Proof of insurance; a clean record matters most. |
| Box truck & movers | Company truck, or your own box truck or cargo van | Regular under 26,001 lbs GVWR | 18+ (21+ typical) | Owner-operators need commercial coverage. |
| Passenger & shuttle | 4-door, or company shuttle | Regular; CDL with P endorsement for buses | 21+ | Stricter record check; some roles fingerprint. |
| Trucking & CDL | Company tractor | CDL A or B | 21+ interstate, 18+ intrastate | DOT physical and drug screen. |
Insurance, the part most people miss
Personal auto policy is NOT enough
Standard coverage excludes commercial use. A claim on a delivery without proper coverage gets denied AND your policy can be canceled.
What you need
Either a rideshare/delivery endorsement on your policy (about $10 to $20 a month) or the platform's commercial coverage that applies only while a job is active. Owner-operators of box trucks and cargo vans need a commercial policy. Company-vehicle roles are covered by the employer.
Carriers that offer endorsements
Progressive · GEICO · State Farm · Allstate · USAA · Liberty Mutual. Erie and Farmers in some states.
Background check: what disqualifies you
Driving record
1 to 2 minor violations in 3 years is usually fine. DUI or reckless driving in the last 7 years disqualifies. Suspensions need to be resolved.
Criminal background
Felonies in the last 7 years, anything sexual or violent, and theft or fraud disqualify. Misdemeanors are usually fine. Each employer runs its own check.
Timing
Background checks take 3 to 7 days normally, sometimes 2 weeks if a flag needs verifying. Trucking adds a DOT physical and drug screen.