How Old You Have to Be to Become a Delivery Driver

Are you under 25, need to make some quick bucks, and wondering whether you're old enough to become a delivery driver? 

What if I told you that delivery driving can be a great gig for young people who don’t have much job experience or a degree?

For one thing, you don’t need fancy credentials to get this entry-level gig.

On top of that, delivery driving is super flexible. You can decide when, where, and how often you drive. 

This makes delivery work a great side hustle for extra cash if you’re still in school or have another job.

There are various delivery driving jobs to choose from. You can get a food delivery driver job through Grubhub, Uber Eats, or Postmates, or get a job with a specific restaurant like Pizza Hut.

Don’t like the thought of your car smelling like food all the time? You can work as a package delivery driver for a company like UPS, USPS, or FedEx.

In this case, you might even earn benefits like paid time off!

While the requirements for delivery jobs vary according to the company, there’s one thing these companies have in common: They need their drivers to meet a minimum age requirement. 

But just how old do you have to be?

Below, I’ll walk you through the minimum age requirement for some of the most popular delivery jobs and explain how much money you can expect to earn with these gigs. 

Read on to get the fast facts.

Minimum age restrictions for delivery driver positions

You might think that you just have to be old enough to drive if you want to work as a delivery driver.

Well, that’s not entirely true.

The minimum driving age is 16 in much of the United States and 17 in Australia and the United Kingdom (though there are some exceptions).

But the reality is that most delivery driver positions need you to be a bit older. 

Generally, younger drivers are more susceptible to accidents. That’s why companies try to minimize this risk by employing drivers with more experience (which tends to come with age).

Multiple studies (like this one and this one) have shown that the risk of crashes is especially high in the first few months after a young person gets their driver’s license.

This risk seems to decrease with age: According to the National Household Travel Survey, the crash rate per mile driven is 1.5 times higher for 16-year-olds than it is for 18- to 19-year-olds.

In fact, drivers aged 16 to 17 have the highest rate of crash involvement compared to other age groups, with 1,432 crashes per 100 million miles driven. While drivers aged 18 to 19 have 730 crashes per 100 million miles driven.

The numbers continue to drop with experience, as those aged 20 to 24 report 572 crashes per 100 million miles driven and 25- to 29-year-olds report 526 crashes per 100 million miles driven.

That said, there’s no universal age range for delivery driving. Different delivery companies have different age requirements for their drivers. 

Here’s a quick breakdown.

Minimum driver age for food and grocery delivery apps 

Food and grocery delivery service platforms are popular among younger delivery drivers. 

Here’s why:

Firstly, these gigs tend to be more flexible than traditional delivery jobs with logistic providers like UPS or FedEx. Depending on the company, you can decide when and how much you want to work — so it’s easy to squeeze your work in alongside school.

Plus, unlike with package delivery, you won’t have to stress about hauling potentially valuable goods. For young people who want to keep job responsibilities to a minimum so that they can focus on things like studies (and fun!), this is a perk.

Of course, when you’re working in a gig role, that flexibility comes at a cost. You won’t get benefits like paid time off like you would with a job for the USPS, for instance.

Now that you know why food and grocery delivery can be a great option for earning money as a younger person, let’s talk about whether you meet the age requirements:

• DoorDash: You’ll need to be at least 18 years of age to drive for DoorDash. Here’s more about becoming a Dasher.
• Uber Eats: Uber Eats (the food delivery pillar of Uber’s ride-share service) also needs drivers to be 18 if you’re planning to deliver by foot or bicycle. For scooter delivery, you’ll need to be 19, or the minimum age to drive a vehicle in your city. Find out more about what it takes to join the Uber Eats team.
• Postmates: Postmates drivers must also be at least 18 years of age. Uber owns Postmates, so the requirements are the same as Uber Eats.
• Instacart: Like the companies above, Instacart’s minimum age for drivers is 18. Get the facts on joining Instacart.
• Grubhub: Like the other companies on this list, Grubhub needs drivers to be at least 18 years of age (or at least 21 in Las Vegas). Learn more about partnering with Grubhub.

Minimum age to drive for FedEx and UPS 

The stakes can be a bit higher as a FedEx or UPS driver, as you might handle packages that contain sensitive goods. You may also make deliveries containing alcoholic beverages. So, if you want to be a driver for FedEx or UPS, you’ll need to be at least 21 years of age.

Minimum age for USPS mail delivery positions 

USPS is more lenient than FedEx and UPS with their delivery age requirements. You only have to be 18 to work for the United States Postal Service. However, you must prove that you have at least two years of driving experience to get the job.

Minimum age to drive for Amazon 

Amazon boasts a booming delivery business, with their drivers hauling everything from food to furniture. You have to be at least 21 years old to work as an Amazon delivery driver.

Minimum age for pizza delivery drivers 

If you want to be a pizza delivery driver, you’ll most likely be employed by the company you work for, such as Pizza Hut or Domino’s Pizza. 

While there might be exceptions to the rule, most pizza restaurants in the U.S. and the U.K. require drivers to be at least 18 years of age.

Do delivery drivers make good money?

Sure, it takes more than meeting the minimum age requirement to get a job as a delivery driver. 

In most cases, you’ll also need your own vehicle and a valid driver’s license. You may also need to have proof of auto insurance for some companies.

There are other factors to consider, too.

Such as package delivery companies like FedEx and UPS may also ask you for proof of a clean driving record and a successful background check.

Plus, if you’re going to be a truck driver for a bigger vehicle, like a semi-trailer, you’ll also need a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

So if you’re going to jump through all those hoops to get the job, you probably want to know how much you can expect to earn.

Real talk: There’s no one number. Your earnings will depend on several factors, including the company you drive for, how many hours you work each week, and your location. 

For example, delivery drivers in big cities tend to earn more due to greater demand!

You can generally expect to make good pay as a delivery driver. There are plenty of people who rely on driving as their sole source of income.

Not only is this smart for earning potential, but if you drive for companies like UPS, USPS, or FedEx, you’ll also enjoy benefits on top of your base salary. These might include health insurance, life insurance, retirement planning, and paid time off.

Even if you don’t work for a company that gives these kinds of benefits, there’s still a lot to love about delivery driving — especially if you’re a young person. 

They include.

• Flexibility: Delivery driving offers plenty of opportunities and companies to work for. Depending on the gig, you can likely set your own hours, choosing when and where you want to work.
• Be your own boss: If you drive for a company like Uber Eats or Postmates, you’ll basically be your own boss. You won’t have to clock in or report to a manager when you want to work. All you have to do is get in your car, turn on the app, and start accepting orders.
• Job security: Delivery driving is a booming business. People are getting increasingly used to the convenience of being able to order food and other goods directly to their front doors. If you enter this field, you’ll always find opportunities.
• Minimal entry requirements: Getting a job can be difficult if you’re a young person without a lot of experience or a degree. Delivery driving is an easy entry point into the job market.
• Listen to the media you love while you work: This is the kind of small detail that can make a big difference in job satisfaction. Being able to listen to songs, podcasts, or audiobooks while driving can be a big benefit.

How to quickly and efficiently manage deliveries as a driver

Getting delivery gigs as a younger driver doesn’t have to be hard. As long as you have a reliable vehicle and the right license, you should find it pretty easy to get started.

However, if you’re wondering how to get large tips, you’ll need to get each job done fast. We have good news: you can do both at the same time.

How?

By getting the fastest delivery routes with Circuit Route Planner. The app will plot the fastest path from point A to point B at the tap of s button. Plus, syncs with your favorite mapping apps, like Google Maps, and Waze, so you can avoid traffic jams and other potential snarl-ups on the way.

You can add or delete stops on your route as needed, and the route planner will update your path automatically. And with safe driving being a priority, Circuit works with voice command so you can keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Circuit Route Planner also offers plenty of other perks to make your delivery job easier. Popular features include setting delivery time windows, keeping notes about deliveries, and recording proof of delivery.

If you’re a young person who’s making deliveries while still in school, saving time with Circuit can allow you to finish your routes faster. 

This means more hours left in the day for homework and studying — or, let’s be realistic, fun stuff like hanging out with friends.