How long does DoorDash waitlist take

Should you be considering a career as a DoorDash delivery driver, one of the questions on your mind is likely “How long is DoorDash waitlist”? Understandably so, especially if you want to become a gig worker sooner rather than later. 

Potential applicants are usually surprised to discover they are placed on a waitlist with no guarantee of when they'll be activated. 

By no means is there a clear answer, but in this article, you'll find an explanation of what waitlist times are based on, why waitlists differ by city, and how you can bypass the process.

What is the DoorDash waitlist?

When you sign up, there is a possibility that you are not going to be approved and therefore deployed immediately.

DoorDash has a waitlist that regulates the number of active dashers within a specific area at a time. When there are enough dashers already within an area, new applicants would be put on hold.

This is how DoorDash prevents overcrowding in the area and ensures that there are enough orders for current workers.

While this is irritating for enthusiastic new applicants, that is how supply and demand work. They only take on new drivers when they have room for new orders to take.

Why is there a DoorDash waitlist?

With increased applicants for DoorDash, the company clarified why they have turned to waitlists. 

Basically, the company explained that the reason they have for Dasher's policy is that they use waitlists so that they can have an adequate number of Dashers in a given marketplace, so that they can satisfy the demand. 

With this, they are always working towards allowing the marketplace to have the right balance to satisfy the demand of consumers, merchants, and Dashers. When there are too many drivers, fewer and fewer drivers are getting orders and therefore getting paid. 

Employing waitlists in order to cap the number of drivers, presumably, helps to stabilize wages for already registered drivers.

How long is the DoorDash waitlist?

It is impossible to say with certainty how long the waitlist is going to take. A few applicants have waited mere days. Others have waited weeks or even months. Some patterns have emerged from community forums, Reddit discussions, and YouTube testimonials.

In large cities like New York or Los Angeles, there may be a wait due to heavy competition. The suburbs or smaller cities, however, may see wait times that are brief or nothing at all. 

Additionally, timing is a factor. More individuals apply to be gig workers for the summer or holiday seasons, so there are longer wait times. If it is during the off-season, such as late winter, you might be processed more quickly since fewer new Dashers are signing up.

Does your location affect the waitlist?

Location absolutely affects this. Your zip code, or even city, is a huge determining factor as to how long you wait on the waitlist. 

By way of example, Chicago applicants report wait times ranging from a week to a month, based on the time of year. Those who are in less populated markets like Milwaukee or Kansas City usually have activation times of several days.

Major cities with higher populations attract higher volumes of gig workers, with students and immigrants being a large portion of that group who are looking for flexible income sources. 

NYC and San Francisco usually have the longest due to a heavy delivery volume with a huge applicant population.

Conversely, less dense zip codes or smaller cities may become available sooner. Again, keep in mind that DoorDash allows Dashers to work for any area that is close by once they have gained approval.

So, even when signing up with a less dense area, you may be able to see the higher density areas later. This has caused some applicants to be successful by signing up from residential areas just outside major cities rather than the cities themselves.

Related: Best places to Doordash in Chicago

Does transport mode matter?

There are certain rumors that the method of delivery affects whether the applicant is going to be accepted. 

Riders who use a bike, especially in cities that are friendly to bikes, like San Francisco, Boston, or NYC, will likely experience faster approval. 

Maybe it's because bikes are easier to implement in dense, urban cities where there is little parking space and congestion is heavy. Bikes cut down peak deliveries and enable DoorDash to fulfill customer demand.

The drivers who sign up with a car, particularly in areas already full of car Dashers, may have longer wait times. There have even been instances where they have changed "car" to "bike" in their app and gotten activated in days.

Not guaranteed, but coming by bike or e-bike at registration may have you starting sooner, especially in an urban area offering this form of delivery.

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Can the process be sped up in any way?

Unfortunately, there is no official way to boost waitlist status on DoorDash, but past DoorDashers and internet forums have come up with a number of methods that might be effective.

Some applicants have succeeded by selecting a neighborhood zip that is not as popular when signing up. DoorDash allows working for different zones after approval, so it won't lock you down to a location where you dash. 

Another tactic is to resubmit after a few weeks, especially if you've reached a standstill with no progress. Cancelling and resubmitting the application has succeeded for some people to get back on their line position.

Candidates also mention that submitting at odd times, e.g., early dawn or late evening, may be helpful. While there is no confirmation of that, it is a low-risk step to try. 

Lastly, ensure that you look at your email (and spam folder) on a frequent basis. Many people miss their activation email, further slowing the process.

When you receive an invitation from the waitlist

After going off the waitlist, DoorDash will prompt you to complete your background check and upload some documents like a picture ID and insurance (if driving). You'll choose how you prefer to deliver and establish a direct deposit arrangement. 

You'll get a Welcome Kit with a red card and a hot bag, or use your own equipment and get started dashing immediately.

Background check usually spans a period of one to five days. At that point, you are prepared to receive your initial order.

How long does the DoorDash Waitlist take?

So, how long does DoorDash waitlist take? The honest answer is that it varies. Your location, delivery method, and even time of year may each influence wait time. It may be days for some approved Dashers, or a matter of weeks or even months for some.

On the other hand, there are a few things that you can do to maximize your prospects. Choosing a bike, submitting for less competitive zip codes, and reading your email on a regular basis can have you on the road in no time at all. 

And when the time is at last ripe to start blitzing, the right equipment makes a huge difference.

For a fast, versatile, and budget-friendly delivery option, consider renting from Whizz or purchasing an e-bike such as Storm 2. 

Whizz allows you to earn more and save on gas, parking, and maintenance as a gig worker. Better delivery work could start with the proper vehicle.

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