DoorDash Waitlist [2025] Bypass Hack

Want to drive for DoorDash? I can imagine why! It’s a flexible gig, and it’s available in most of the United States.

The problem is that lots of people have the same idea. For instance, there are over 3 million “Dashers” around the world. 

That’s why you might hit a roadblock in your quest to become a driver: the DoorDash waitlist.  

But don’t let being on the waitlist get you down! 

Below, I’ll share how to get around the DoorDash waitlist and how you can make money in the meantime.  

What is The DoorDash Waitlist?

The DoorDash waitlist is a list of pending applicants you may end up on after applying to be a DoorDash driver (also known as a “Dasher”). It means the platform doesn’t currently need more drivers in your area, so you’ll have to wait for spots to open up before you can start working.

There are two reasons you could be waitlisted by DoorDash:

1. Your local area is already saturated with drivers. (This is the more common reason.)
2. DoorDash simply doesn’t operate in your area. (This is relatively rare since DoorDash serves such a large portion of the country.)

Being on the waitlist is frustrating, but once you’re accepted, you’ll be glad that DoorDash controls the number of drivers in your area. Think about it: If DoorDash never stopped accepting new applicants, the driver pool would quickly become oversaturated and existing drivers would have a hard time finding enough orders to accept to make it worthwhile.

And for many drivers, working for DoorDash is worth the wait. It can be a pretty lucrative side gig! Check out this article on how to maximize your earnings with DoorDash.

How Long is The DoorDash Waitlist / How Long Does DoorDash Waitlist Take?

There’s no set amount of time that you’ll be on the DoorDash waitlist. It all depends on how many applicants are ahead of you in your market. 

If you’re lucky, you could be first on the waitlist. This means you could be given a driver position in a matter of days. But you could also be buried on the list behind hundreds of other applicants.

Unfortunately, DoorDash doesn’t publish average waitlist times. That means the only way to estimate your time on the waitlist is by seeing what other applicants are saying online. 

On Reddit, some people report being accepted in just a few weeks. Others say they’ve been waitlisted for months without any updates. 

In general, I’d say you can expect to be on the DoorDash waitlist for somewhere between 2 weeks and 3 months. But remember, this is just an estimate. 

Deliver With DoorDash

How To Bypass The DoorDash Waitlist?

There’s no guaranteed method for getting past the DoorDash waitlist, but there are a few strategies that persistent Dashers have tried:

• Deactivate your existing account and apply again. You never know – you could somehow end up getting accepted right away.

• Apply with a different zip code. Consider using the zip code for an area that has a dense population – since those areas can support more drivers. You could also look for new DoorDash markets that haven’t had as much time to build up a surplus of drivers. Just consider whether you’d be willing to drive in these areas every day. 

• Call DoorDash and ask them to change your zip code. This is similar to the previous method but saves you from having to reapply. This doesn’t seem to be a popular method, but some people claim it works. The DoorDash support number is 855-431-0459.

Here’s a short video letting you know what you can expect your workday to look like once you make it off the DoorDash waitlist and start Dashing:

How To Check Your Status on The DoorDash Waitlist?

There’s no easy way to check your status on the DoorDash waitlist. It’s not like DoorDash gives you access to the actual list or even tells you how many applicants are ahead of you. 

But if you’re really determined to see where you stand, there are a few tricks you can use to at least get a general idea:

• Make sure you finished your application. Imagine waiting and waiting only to realize you simply missed a step when applying. Yeah, it happens. Head back to the DoorDash website and click “Already started signing up?” to make sure your application is complete.

• Look for emails from DoorDash. Sometimes, DoorDash reaches out to ask for additional information. Double-check your inbox to see if you missed anything.

• Investigate the status of your background check. Up for some real-deal sleuthing? Then this is the strategy for you! DoorDash partners with a platform called “Checkr” to conduct its background checks on new applicants. You can head to Checkr’s “candidate portal” to see your background check’s status. If the background check is being completed in the standard time frame of 1 to 14 days, you could be on the verge of getting off the DoorDash waitlist. 

Deliver With DoorDash

What To Do While on The DoorDash Waitlist? 

Here’s what you definitely shouldn’t do while stuck on the DoorDash waitlist: Sit around and wait. There are too many alternative ways to make money in the meantime!

If you want to stick to delivery driving, consider applying for Grubhub. The platform has almost the same business model as DoorDash. Learn more with this Grubhub vs DoorDash comparison.

There are also plenty of earning opportunities besides delivering food. Here are some options that are especially lucrative and convenient:

• Taking online surveys with Swagbucks and Branded Surveys. These platforms will pay you just to share your opinions. For even more options, read this article about apps that pay cash.

• Playing games like Cashyy, Mistplay, and Cash Giraffe. Earning real money from online games might sound too good to be true – but it’s not! You just have to use legitimate platforms. 
• Babysitting for Care.com. If you like kids (or if you can at least stand them), then this is one of the easiest ways to find work in your area. Lots of parents are desperate for childcare these days. You know what that means: the chance to make money!
• Dog walking and pet sitting with Rover. Do you love making furry friends? Then Rover is one of those jobs that won’t even feel like work.

• Taking advantage of banks with immediate sign-up bonus. You could get a big, fat bonus just by sitting at your computer and moving money around. Like the idea of earning money from home? Then, read this article on how to make money with no car.
• Donating plasma for money. It’s a simple procedure, and you could earn up to $900 in your first month. Plus, you’ll be contributing to life-saving treatments. 
• Using secret websites to make money online. The internet is a big, exciting place, and it’s full of unexpected earning opportunities, from tutoring platforms to real estate investments. 

You can also try using the tool below to find jobs near you:

Commonly Asked Questions About The DoorDash Waitlist

DoorDash Waitlist Bypass? 

There’s no guaranteed way to bypass the DoorDash waitlist, but you can try reapplying with a different zip code. If the new zip code happens to be less saturated with drivers, you could get accepted to DoorDash right away. 

How Long Does it Take to Get Approved for DoorDash?

DoorDash drivers are typically approved within a few days. Yes, that means you could be earning money in less than a week! But there are some exceptions. There could be a delay with your background check, or you could end up on the DoorDash waitlist. 

If you aren’t approved for DoorDash right away or want to make some extra money when you aren’t dashing, here are some of the best GPT Sites that pay you for tasks like playing games and taking surveys. Making deliveries on foot? There are even apps that pay you to walk!

• Is Rakuten Insight Legit?
• Is Buff Legit?
• Is CashWalk Legit?

 And check out these free games that pay real money instantly.

Does DoorDash Pay You for Waiting?

Unfortunately, DoorDash doesn’t pay you for waiting. If you’re on the DoorDash waitlist, then you can’t earn anything until you’re given a slot as a “Dasher.” If you’re a current Dasher, then you’re not paid for the time you spend waiting for offers, even in “Earn by Time” mode. 

To get paid to complete tasks like playing games, taking surveys, and signing up for subscriptions while you wait, check out Is Flash Rewards Legit? and Is Rewards Giant USA Legit? And for more ways to make some extra cash in your spare time, check out these side hustles from your phone.

DoorDash No Waitlist Zip Code?

Sometimes, you can bypass the DoorDash waitlist by reapplying with a new zip code. If the zip code isn’t saturated by drivers, you might be accepted as a “Dasher” right away. Some people suggest using the zip code of a new DoorDash market since there could be fewer drivers there. 

DoorDash Waitlist Status?

There’s no easy way to check your DoorDash waitlist status – but you can check the status of your background check. Just head to the Checkr “candidate portal” and use your info to sign in. If your background check is taking forever, it could signal a long waitlist. 

DoorDash Waitlist Time? 

The DoorDash waitlist time depends on how many applicants are ahead of you in your area. Some people get off the waitlist in just a few weeks while others wait for months and even years. In general, 2 weeks to 3 months seems to be the estimated time frame. 

Meanwhile, learn which budgeting app could best help you manage your finances and boost your savings by checking out these comparisons of Rocket Money vs the competition:

• Rocket Money vs YNAB
• Rocket Money vs Simplifi
• Rocket Money vs Copilot

Do you get paid twice a month and find yourself struggling to account for that in your budgeting? Learn how to budget biweekly paycheck. And if you need to ramp up your savings fast, learn how to save $3000 in 3 months.

What Are the Requirements to Drive for DoorDash?

Dashers must be at least 18 years old, or at least 19 in select states (Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia).

You’ll need a phone where you can download the app (availble on both iOS and Android), a car or other appropriate vehicle (motorcycle, bicycle, scooter, or ebike are allowed in certain markets), a driver’s license, insurance, and a clean driving record.

DoorDash Waitlist Reddit? 

I found a Reddit thread started by someone who had been stuck on the DoorDash waitlist for 3 months. 

One person suggested signing up with the zip code for a densely populated area.

Another idea was to apply again with a different email address and phone number. I guess the thinking is that DoorDash could somehow accept the new application because of a quirk in the system.