I was excited to start earning money as a DoorDash delivery driver. The flexible hours, quick cash, and being my doordash background check failed boss sounded perfect. But then the email came: “Your DoorDash background check did not pass.”
Confused and frustrated, I wanted to know exactly what happened and what my next steps were. Here’s my story — and what I learned along the way.
The Application and Background Check Process
Applying to DoorDash seemed simple enough. I submitted my info, uploaded my driver’s license, and gave permission for a background check through Checkr, DoorDash’s third-party screening partner.
A few days later, I received an email saying I failed the background check. No detailed explanation at first, just a link to view my report.
What Was in the Report?
When I accessed my background check report, I found:
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A misdemeanor conviction from 5 years ago
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A couple of traffic violations within the last 3 years
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A note about a pending case (which I honestly forgot about)
At first, I wasn’t sure if all of these were disqualifying factors, so I started researching DoorDash’s policies.
Why Did I Fail?
DoorDash typically disqualifies applicants for:
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Violent or serious felony convictions
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Recent DUI or reckless driving charges
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Multiple recent moving violations
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Certain pending criminal charges
In my case, the misdemeanor conviction combined with the pending case was likely the reason I failed. The traffic violations probably didn’t help either.
What I Did Next: Reviewing and Disputing
I realized I needed to understand if the report was fully accurate. I requested all related court documents and found that one of the charges in the report had actually been dismissed, but it was still listed.
I immediately filed a dispute through Checkr’s candidate portal, providing:
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Copies of the court dismissal paperwork
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A clear explanation of the error
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Proof of identity to confirm the record was mine
I made sure to submit everything within the 30-day dispute window.
Waiting for a Response
Checkr notified me that they were investigating the dispute. It took about 3 weeks, but eventually, they corrected the record and removed the dismissed charge from my report.
Contacting DoorDash After the Update
After the correction, I contacted DoorDash Support through the app and explained the situation. They said my updated background check would be reviewed again and that I could reapply.
Lessons Learned and Tips
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Don’t panic if you fail: Get your report, read it carefully, and verify every detail.
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Dispute inaccuracies fast: You only have 30 days, and strong evidence helps.
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Understand DoorDash’s disqualifiers: This will help you anticipate if certain convictions or violations could be an issue.
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Stay patient: Background check disputes can take weeks.
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Consider other platforms: If DoorDash doesn’t work out, others like Uber Eats or Grubhub might have different criteria.
Final Thoughts
Failing the DoorDash background check felt like a setback, but it taught me to be proactive about my records. If you’re in the same boat, know that you’re not alone — and with the right steps, you can improve your chances or find alternatives.
If you want, I can help you understand your background check or guide you through filing a dispute. Just reach out!
