Delivery Driver Requirements: Age, License and Checks (2026)
Age rules, license, CDL, vehicle, background and driving record checks for Amazon DSP, FedEx Ground, UPS, Amazon Flex, DoorDash and Instacart drivers.
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Step 2 of 3: Requirements
Most delivery driver jobs need a valid US driver's license, a clean driving record and a background check, but not a CDL. The big difference is age: Amazon Flex, for example, requires you to be 21 or older. Here's what each company asks for, and the next page shows the exact application steps.
Tell us where you are right now, and the next page shows you what to do.
Where are you in the process?
✅ Age and license rules at a glance
Age is the rule that trips up most applicants, so check this table first.
| Option | Minimum age | License needed |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon DSP driver | Set by each DSP; many postings ask for 21+ | Valid license, non-CDL is fine |
| FedEx Ground driver | Set by each contractor; postings commonly ask for 21+ | Valid license; check the posting |
| UPS driver helper | Check the posting | None |
| UPS seasonal support driver | 21+ | Clean, valid license |
| Amazon Flex | 21+ | Valid US license |
| DoorDash | 18 to 21, depending on state | Needed for car, scooter or motorcycle; not for bikes |
| Instacart full-service shopper | 18+ | Needed, as you must have a vehicle |
If you're 18 to 20, your best options are usually Instacart, DoorDash in states that allow it, or a UPS driver helper role if the posting accepts your age.
🚐 Do you need a CDL or a DOT medical card?
For most delivery vans, no CDL is needed. Amazon's hiring site says a non-CDL driver's license is okay for DSP driver roles.
A DOT medical card is a different thing. Under federal rules, drivers of vehicles weighing 10,001 pounds or more in interstate commerce must have a DOT medical certificate, and federal rules set 21 as the minimum age for these drivers. This is why some larger delivery vans and box trucks come with a DOT physical.
- Amazon DSP: Amazon lists the chance to obtain DOT certification as a perk. Some DSP routes use larger vehicles that need it.
- FedEx Ground: many contractor postings ask for a DOT physical or medical card, and some contractors pay for the exam.
- Gig apps: you use your own car, so no DOT card is needed.
Know which rules apply to you? The next page shows the application steps in order.
🚗 Vehicle, phone and insurance
What you need to bring depends on whether you drive a company vehicle or your own.
- Amazon DSP: the DSP gives you a van or truck, gas and insurance.
- FedEx Ground and UPS route jobs: the vehicle is provided.
- UPS seasonal support driver: you deliver in your own car, with hourly pay and mileage.
- Amazon Flex: a 4-door midsize sedan or larger (SUV, van or truck with a covered bed). Smaller cars and open-bed trucks are not eligible. You need personal auto insurance, and Amazon says it provides commercial insurance in most states.
- DoorDash: for car delivery you need a valid license, auto insurance and vehicle registration.
- Instacart: consistent access to a vehicle and a recent smartphone.
Gig apps also need a smartphone, a Social Security number and a bank account for payouts.
🔍 Background and driving record checks
Expect your history to be checked before you start. Here's what the companies say they look at.
- Amazon Flex: a background check that includes, but is not limited to, a review of your motor vehicle record.
- DoorDash: a third-party check covering a national background check, a motor vehicle record check for drivers and a Social Security number trace.
- Amazon DSP and FedEx Ground: each employer runs its own checks. Postings commonly ask for a clean driving record and a drug test.
- UPS: you apply online, may be interviewed, and get a job offer before onboarding.
Every US employer also checks that you are allowed to work here. Instacart lists being eligible to work in the US as one of its 5 requirements.
Ready for the next part? The steps are short, but the order matters.
💪 What the work demands physically
Driving is only half the job. You'll be lifting and carrying packages all day.
- UPS postings for driver helpers and seasonal support drivers commonly list lifting up to 70 pounds
- Instacart asks shoppers to be able to lift 40 pounds, with or without accommodation
- Route drivers climb in and out of the vehicle and walk to many doors each shift
- You'll work outdoors in heat, cold and rain
⚠️ Common mistakes that get people rejected
Most rejections come down to small, avoidable problems. Watch out for these:
- Applying before you meet the age rule. If a job says 21+, you'll be turned away at the license check.
- Uploading a poor license photo. Amazon Flex rejects blurry, cropped or photocopied license images. Use the physical card.
- Details that don't match. Your name, birth date and license number must match what you type in the app.
- Ignoring your driving record. Recent tickets or accidents can stop an application. Know what's on your record first.
- The wrong vehicle. A small 2-door car or an open-bed truck won't qualify for Amazon Flex.
- Creating a second account. Amazon Flex allows only one account per person.
Want to avoid all of these? The next page puts each step in the right order.
❓ Quick FAQ
Do I need a CDL to drive for Amazon?
Can I deliver if I'm 18?
Do I need my own car?
Can I deliver for DoorDash without a car?
Who is my employer at an Amazon DSP or FedEx Ground?
On the next page: the step-by-step application for each option, where the official sign-up lives, what happens after you apply, and how to spot fake recruiters.
🔥 Other jobs hiring now
Don't meet the driving rules yet? These jobs have different requirements and could be a good fit.
Disclaimer: This is an independent information website. We are not Amazon, FedEx, UPS, DoorDash, Instacart or any delivery company, we are not an employer or recruiter, and we do not hire anyone or collect job applications. Requirements change often and vary by state and employer, so always check the official site before you apply. Never pay anyone to get a job.