Grubhub Driver Requirements (2026): Do You Qualify?

Before applying to Grubhub, confirm you actually qualify. The requirements aren’t onerous but are slightly stricter than DoorDash and Uber Eats in a few specific ways — most notably the 19+ age minimum (DoorDash and Uber Eats often allow 18+) and the 2-year driving experience requirement in many markets. This guide walks through every requirement, what counts as eligible for each, and how Grubhub compares to the alternatives so you can make an informed choice about which platforms to apply to.

If you’re earlier in the journey, see How to Become a Grubhub Driver.

What’s in this guide

• Quick eligibility check
• Age requirement (19+ vs DoorDash’s 18+)
• Driver’s license and 2 years of experience
• Vehicle requirements
• Insurance requirements
• Background check criteria
• Smartphone requirements
• Bike and scooter mode
• How Grubhub compares to other platforms
• FAQ

Quick eligibility check

Run through this list. If yes to all, you’re likely eligible for Grubhub:

• ✅ I’m 19 years old or older (some markets require 21+)
• ✅ I have a valid U.S. driver’s license
• ✅ I have at least 2 years of driving experience
• ✅ I have a vehicle in safe operating condition
• ✅ I have current vehicle insurance in my name
• ✅ I have a Social Security Number
• ✅ My driving record is reasonably clean
• ✅ My criminal history is reasonably clean
• ✅ I have a smartphone running iOS or Android

If you’re 18 (not yet 19), DoorDash and Uber Eats may accept you while Grubhub doesn’t.

Age requirement (19+ vs DoorDash’s 18+)

Grubhub’s minimum age is 19 in most markets, raised to 21 in some. This is meaningfully stricter than DoorDash and Uber Eats, both of which often allow 18+ applicants in many markets.

For an 18-year-old:

• DoorDash: likely eligible
• Uber Eats: likely eligible
• Grubhub: likely NOT eligible — wait until your 19th birthday

This is a hard rule, not negotiable. If you’re between 18 and 19, plan accordingly.

Driver’s license and 2 years of experience

For car-mode Grubhub:

• Valid U.S. driver’s license issued in your name.
• At least 2 years of licensed driving history — this is stricter than DoorDash (typically 1 year) and Uber Eats (typically 1 year).
• License must not be expired at application time.

The 2-year requirement matters for younger drivers. If you got your license at 16, you’re eligible at 18 (for most car-licensing states). If you got it later, the 2-year clock starts then.

If you have a license from outside the U.S. (recent immigrant), you’ll typically need a U.S. license before driving for Grubhub. International driving permits aren’t accepted.

Vehicle requirements

Grubhub’s vehicle requirements:

• Year: typically 1995 or newer (varies by market)
• Type: any safe, working passenger vehicle — sedan, SUV, hatchback, truck, minivan
• Condition: road-worthy with no major mechanical issues
• Inspection: typically not required at signup (unlike Uber Eats in some markets)

Vehicle eligibility issues:

• Salvage title in some markets
• Heavily damaged exterior
• Branded with another rideshare/delivery company

If your vehicle doesn’t qualify, alternatives:

• Bike or scooter delivery in supported cities
• Some markets have vehicle-rental partnerships

For DoorDash’s parallel vehicle requirements, see DoorDash Driver Requirements and for Uber Eats, see Uber Eats Driver Requirements.

Insurance requirements

Grubhub requires:

• Active vehicle insurance in your name.
• State-required minimum coverage at minimum.
• Insurance card or declaration page as proof during application.

Same caveat as other delivery platforms: standard personal auto insurance often doesn’t cover delivery work. Many drivers add a delivery rider. Verify with your insurer.

Grubhub provides supplemental insurance during active deliveries, but your personal insurance is the primary cover at all other times. Same as DoorDash and Uber Eats — see DoorDash Driver Insurance Guide for the deep dive (most principles apply identically).

Background check criteria

Grubhub’s background check covers:

Criminal history:

• Federal, state, county-level records
• Felonies and certain misdemeanors

Driving history (MVR):

• Recent at-fault accidents
• Recent serious moving violations
• DUI/DWI within typically 7 years
• License suspensions

What typically disqualifies:

• Recent DUI (within 7 years, varies by state)
• Felony conviction within recent window
• Multiple recent moving violations
• License suspended for non-administrative reasons

What typically does NOT disqualify:

• Old DUI (10+ years ago, varies)
• Single non-violent misdemeanor from years ago
• One or two speeding tickets
• Bankruptcy (not part of check)

For deep coverage, see Grubhub Background Check Guide.

If you’re disqualified by Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats may have different adjudication — apply to those if Grubhub denies. See DoorDash Background Check Guide and Uber Eats Background Check Guide.

Smartphone requirements

The Grubhub Driver app requires:

• iPhone: iOS 14 or higher
• Android: Android 8.0 (Oreo) or higher
• Reliable cellular data
• Functional GPS
• Working camera (for selfies during identity verification, photo proof of delivery)

Wi-Fi-only devices don’t work. Cellular data plan is mandatory.

Bike and scooter mode

Grubhub supports bike and scooter delivery in select cities:

Bike requirements:

• Government-issued ID
• Working bicycle
• Helmet (legally required in some cities)
• Lights for night riding

Scooter requirements:

• Driver’s license with appropriate endorsement (state-specific)
• Vehicle registration
• Insurance
• Helmet

Bike and scooter mode bypasses car-mode age and 2-year driving requirements (since you’re not using a car). The age minimum (19+) still applies.

How Grubhub compares to other platforms

Grubhub-specific stricter requirements:

• 19+ age (vs 18+ at DoorDash/Uber Eats)
• 2-year driving experience (vs 1-year at DoorDash/Uber Eats)

If you don’t meet Grubhub’s stricter age or experience minimums, DoorDash or Uber Eats may still accept you.

Looking for a delivery alternative? Uber Eats has the broadest US restaurant footprint and Uber One bundles food + grocery + ride credits. Try Uber Eats →

FAQ

I’m 18 — can I dash for Grubhub? Generally no — most markets require 19+. Try DoorDash or Uber Eats first. See How to Become a DoorDash Driver.

Will Grubhub check my credit? No. Credit isn’t part of the background check. Grubhub checks driving record and criminal history only.

Can I drive with a learner’s permit? No. Full driver’s license required. The 2-year experience requirement is from the date you got your full license, not your permit.

Can I rent a car for Grubhub? Personal rentals (Hertz, Enterprise) typically aren’t permitted. Some cities have official partner rental programs.

What if my insurance lapses? You’re not eligible to deliver while insurance is lapsed. Reinstate insurance and reactivate your driver account.

Will my old expunged record show up? Generally no — expunged records typically don’t appear on background checks.

Are veterans or military members eligible? Yes, no specific exemptions or restrictions based on military status.

What if I have a recent at-fault accident? Recent at-fault accidents may flag your application for review. Single accidents in past few years may pass; multiple recent accidents may not.

Will Grubhub accept my international driver’s license? No. Most U.S. delivery platforms require a U.S.-issued license.

Does Grubhub have a vehicle inspection requirement? Typically not at signup (unlike Uber Eats in some markets). Vehicles are spot-checked through the application process.

Related reading:

• How to Become a Grubhub Driver
• Grubhub Background Check Guide
• How Grubhub Driver Pay Works
• Is Grubhub Worth It as a Driver?
• DoorDash Driver Requirements
• Uber Eats Driver Requirements
• How to Become a DoorDash Driver