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Alcohol and catering orders are the two highest-pay-per-order delivery types in DoorDash's marketplace. The trade-off: you need extra certifications, the right equipment, and (in some markets) a dedicated vehicle setup. For Dashers willing to put in the qualification effort, these orders meaningfully change your hourly throughput. Earn more per order as compared to restaurant orders. Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries you accept and complete, time of day, location, and any costs. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90 day period and includes compensation from tips, peak pay, and other incentives.

This guide walks through what catering and alcohol orders actually involve, the qualification steps for each, the equipment that pays for itself within a few orders, and the markets where this strategy thrives.

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What's in this guide

What's a 'catering' order vs a 'large order' on DoorDash

DoorDash distinguishes between several order categories, and the vocabulary trips up new Dashers:

Standard restaurant order. A typical 1–2 person meal from a restaurant. Goes to any active Dasher. No special requirements.

Large order. A bigger order from a regular restaurant — multiple meals for a household or small office. Often surfaced through DoorDash's "Large Order Program" with extra base pay attached. Requires a delivery bag big enough to hold it but no special certification.

Catering order. A dedicated catering offering — typically office lunches, event meals, multi-tray spreads. Has its own queue, requires Dashers to complete the Catering Setup Quiz and demonstrate appropriate equipment, often paid as a flat catering rate.

Alcohol order. Anything containing alcohol — beer, wine, spirits, or restaurant alcohol orders. Requires the Dasher to complete an alcohol training course and pass an exam. Mandatory ID verification at delivery.

This guide focuses on the last two — catering and alcohol — because they're the orders that require explicit certification and that experienced Dashers actively pursue.

Catering certification: how to qualify

Catering Setup is DoorDash's program for Dashers who want to receive catering orders specifically. The qualification:

Step 1 — Be an active Dasher in good standing. You need to be already approved as a Dasher with a clean record. New Dashers usually wait a few weeks of regular orders before being eligible to apply.

Step 2 — Open Catering Setup in the Dasher app. Look in the Account or Earnings menu (location varies by app version) for "Catering Setup" or similar. Some markets also surface it via in-app prompts.

Step 3 — Complete the Catering Setup Quiz. A short quiz covering catering best practices: how to handle hot/cold items, temperature management, presentation, and customer interaction at large-event drop-offs.

Step 4 — Demonstrate equipment readiness. Some markets require photo verification of catering equipment (large insulated bags, hot bags, beverage carriers). Others self-attest.

Step 5 — Complete a few catering deliveries. Once approved, your first catering orders may be smaller-scale to validate your handling. Maintain high ratings to stay in the program.

The full catering qualification typically takes a day or two of effort. Once you're in, catering orders appear alongside regular orders in your queue with clear "Catering" badging and (typically) higher dollar amounts.

Equipment for catering orders

Catering orders need bigger, more thermally protected setups than regular orders. The minimum:

  • A large insulated catering bag — significantly larger than a standard pizza bag. DoorDash sells official catering bags through the Dasher store; quality third-party options exist on Amazon. Plan for $40–$120 for a good one.
  • A second insulated bag for cold items. Many catering orders include both hot food and cold sides/drinks.
  • A beverage carrier for orders with multiple drinks, large coffee thermoses, or boxed beverages.
  • A flat surface in your vehicle to keep trays level. Catering trays tip easily during turns.
  • Sufficient cargo space. A small sedan can handle some catering, but if you regularly take catering orders, an SUV/wagon helps.

Practical reality: the equipment pays for itself quickly for active catering Dashers. A few catering orders cover the cost of a $100 bag, and the bag lasts years.

Alcohol delivery: the certification process

Alcohol delivery is more regulated than catering because alcohol is a controlled substance. Every state has its own rules; DoorDash's alcohol delivery process navigates them by:

Step 1 — Pass the alcohol training course. DoorDash partners with an online training provider (TIPS, ServSafe, or state-specific equivalents depending on jurisdiction). The course covers ID checking, refusing service, recognizing intoxication, state-specific alcohol laws, and DoorDash's specific delivery procedures.

Step 2 — Pass the certification exam. A timed online exam at the end of the training. Most Dashers pass first try with focused attention. Failed exams can typically be retaken with a waiting period.

Step 3 — Upload your certification. Save the certificate from the training provider; upload it through the Dasher app or web portal in the alcohol-certification flow.

Step 4 — Some states require additional documents. A few states require a state-issued alcohol-server permit (e.g., Utah, some California counties). DoorDash's certification flow surfaces these state-specific requirements during signup.

Step 5 — Vehicle inspection (some markets). Certain markets require a quick photo verification that you have the equipment for cold-chain alcohol delivery (coolers for chilled beer, wine).

The full alcohol certification typically takes 1–3 hours of training plus the exam. Cost varies — DoorDash sometimes covers the training cost; otherwise it's $20–$40 to the training provider.

Once certified, alcohol orders appear in your queue (in markets where DoorDash has alcohol delivery). They're tagged distinctly so you know what's coming.

Equipment & ID checking for alcohol orders

Alcohol orders have one additional operational requirement: you must verify the recipient's age at delivery by checking a valid government-issued photo ID. Procedure:

  • Confirm the recipient is 21+ by checking the ID. The Dasher app prompts you to scan or photograph the ID for verification (workflow varies by state).
  • Refuse delivery if the recipient appears intoxicated. This is non-negotiable; you're trained on signs to recognize.
  • Refuse delivery if no ID is presented or the ID is expired/invalid.
  • Refuse delivery if the recipient is under 21, even if someone older is in the household.
  • Don't leave alcohol unattended — no leave-at-door for alcohol orders, regardless of customer instructions.

If you have to refuse delivery, return the order to the original store. DoorDash's app guides the return process. You're typically still paid for the trip even on a refused delivery.

Equipment-wise:

  • A cooler bag for chilled items (beer, wine, prosecco). Insulated bag with cold packs at minimum.
  • An insulated wine carrier for upright wine bottles.
  • Lock/secure car storage to keep alcohol from rolling around or being visible.
Already a Dasher? Look for "Alcohol Setup" or "Catering Setup" in your Dasher app's Account menu. New Dasher? Sign up first — both certifications open up after you're active.

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Why these orders typically pay more

Both catering and alcohol orders typically come with higher base pay and order totals than standard restaurant orders. Several reasons:

  • Bigger order totals. A $200 catering order or $80 alcohol order is several times the size of a $25 standard restaurant delivery. Tips scale with order size.
  • Specialized handling. Compensation reflects the additional care, equipment, and certifications.
  • Smaller pool of certified Dashers. Fewer Dashers compete for catering and alcohol orders, especially during peak windows.
  • Time-of-day advantages. Catering peaks at lunch (office orders) and weekend evenings (events). Alcohol peaks Friday/Saturday evenings. These align with already-busy delivery windows.

For specifics on the pay model and exact rates in your market, see DoorDash's official Dasher Pay article and our overview at How DoorDash Driver Pay Works.

Earn more per order as compared to restaurant orders. Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries you accept and complete, time of day, location, and any costs. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90 day period and includes compensation from tips, peak pay, and other incentives.

Strategy: when to take vs decline

Even certified Dashers should be selective about which catering and alcohol orders to accept. Heuristics:

Take catering orders when: - The pickup is at a place you know (catering pickups are slower at unfamiliar restaurants) - The drop-off is a single address (not multi-stop within a building) - Your bag setup can handle the volume safely - You have enough cargo space without piling things

Decline catering orders when: - The pickup is during a known busy time at the restaurant (catering orders often aren't ready when promised; you'll wait 20+ minutes) - The route requires multiple turns or hilly streets that risk spilling - The drop-off building has unclear access (catering orders frequently go to office buildings with security desks)

Take alcohol orders when: - It's evening hours (alcohol peaks Fri/Sat evening) - The customer's previous orders show no flags (the app sometimes shows context) - You have your ID-checking workflow ready

Decline alcohol orders when: - The location is in an area where IDs are routinely refused (you'll waste time) - It's late and the route exposes you to high-risk areas - Your cold-storage setup isn't ready (beer/wine getting warm = customer complaint)

Common rejection reasons (and how to avoid them)

What gets Dashers removed from catering or alcohol programs:

For catering: - Repeated late deliveries (catering windows are tighter than standard orders) - Customer complaints about temperature or presentation - Damaged trays / spilled food - Failure to follow delivery instructions

For alcohol: - Failing to ID-check (instant disqualification) - Delivering to obviously intoxicated recipients - Leaving alcohol at the door despite requirements - ID-fraud incidents (delivering to underage recipients)

The way to avoid removal: take it seriously. These programs are restricted because they require trust. Treat each order with the care the certification implies, and you'll stay in the program indefinitely.

Order on DoorDash DashPass for unlimited reduced-fee delivery on eligible restaurants and grocery partners. New users often get $0 delivery on first orders. Open DoorDash →

FAQ

Do I have to be a Top Dasher to qualify for catering? No. Top Dasher status helps with priority access to orders generally, but it's not a prerequisite for catering certification. See DoorDash Top Dasher Program for the Top Dasher specifics.

Is alcohol delivery available in my state? DoorDash alcohol delivery operates in most U.S. states with legalized off-premise alcohol delivery, but specifics vary. Check the alcohol-setup section of your Dasher app — if it appears, your market participates.

Will catering orders show up automatically once I'm certified? Yes, in your normal order queue, with "Catering" badging. You can also see catering-specific options in some app versions.

Do I need a different vehicle for catering? Not necessarily. Most catering orders fit in a standard sedan with adequate insulated bags. A larger vehicle helps for very large catering events but isn't required.

What if I deliver an alcohol order and get a complaint about the customer? Document the situation in the app. DoorDash investigates complaints — if you followed correct ID-check procedures, you should be protected. Keep your training-provided procedures handy.

Can I dash on a bike for catering or alcohol? Catering: occasionally, for small catering orders in dense urban areas with bike-Dashing markets. Alcohol: very rarely — temperature management and ID verification logistics make car mode standard. See DoorDash on a Bike or Scooter.

What's the alcohol-certification cost? Varies by state — typically $20–$40 to the training provider. DoorDash sometimes covers the cost as a recruitment incentive; check current promotions during certification.

How is alcohol-pickup tracking different? At alcohol pickup, the restaurant or store will check your ID and confirm you're a certified alcohol-delivery Dasher. The handoff procedure is more deliberate than a regular pickup.

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Important Disclaimers — DoorDash Driver/Dasher Affiliate Disclosure:

Dashers are independent contractors (1099), not DoorDash employees. Becoming a Dasher is subject to background check and availability in your market. Dash availability and the ability to dash anytime are subject to local market demand and any waitlists. DasherDirect is subject to approval. Fast Pay availability and fees apply. Sign-up incentives, earnings boosts (including alcohol-delivery and other Peak Pay opportunities), and any cited dollar amounts vary by market and are not guaranteed: earn more per order as compared to restaurant orders is provider language; actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries you accept and complete, time of day, location, and any costs. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90-day period and includes compensation from tips, peak pay, and other incentives. We may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up to Dash through a link on this page; the application process and pricing are the same. Not financial, legal, or tax advice — consult your own CPA or fiduciary advisor for your specific situation.