The fallout after an arrest and conviction for DUI can affect a person’s life for years and cause long-term damage to their credibility. Despite being a misdemeanor, the impact can be far from minor. After a drunk driving conviction, people often struggle to get back to their productive, independent lives.
In California, a DUI conviction can linger for years on your driving record. This blemish on your record can limit job opportunities. This is especially true with jobs that require driving, like delivery drivers or DoorDash drivers.
This is why if you are facing DUI charges in Los Angeles, it is important to mount a compelling defense to prevent a criminal record and avoid losing your license, which could seriously reduce your job prospects in the future. If you were recently charged with a DUI, contact a Los Angeles DUI lawyer as soon as you can. Time is of the essence in these cases, and you need an experienced advocate to contest your DUI charge.
Does a DUI Dash the Chance to Deliver for DoorDash?
There are a number of questions a person needs to ask themselves when they are attempting to join the gig economy and work with a delivery company like Doordash. One big question that many need to consider is, can I be a Dasher and deliver for DoorDash if I have a previous DUI conviction? The simple answer to this question is yes…maybe.
In 2021, the California Driving Under the Influence Management Information System (DUI-MIS) issued a DUI statistical report in conjunction with California’s Department of Motor Vehicles. The data relates that every day in Los Angeles County, law enforcement agencies make approximately 100 DUI arrests.
That adds up to a lot of people with DUI arrests applying for jobs. Companies like DoorDash are also aware that people make mistakes and are capable of learning from those mistakes. They also realize that there are degrees of severity when analyzing a DUI charge, and not every DUI arrest results in a conviction.
That leads to the maybe portion of the answer because, ultimately, whether or DoorDash hires a Dasher with a DUI ultimately comes down to background checks and the discretion of hiring agents.
The Conditions of the Dash
All over the United States, DoorDash partners with restaurants and delivery drivers working as independent contractors. Using an app service, the company offers delivered food from places that do not usually deliver. The company brokers in trust—a symbiotic relationship between DoorDash, partnering restaurants, and Dasher delivery personnel.
A past DUI does not exclude someone from dashing for dollars, but there are stipulations. Typically, it depends on how much time separates drivers and DUI convictions. These cases usually have a 50/50 chance of conditional hiring, as long as the past stays in the past and the Dasher agrees to a few provisions.
These conditions may include:
- Sentences for DUI convictions must be completed (this includes probationary periods).
- Since the DUI, there can be no other alcohol-related incidents or arrests.
- A driver might have to submit to regular breathalyzer tests.
If conditions are agreed upon and the application is approved, new Dashers should be extremely cautious not to receive any additional alcohol or drug-related incidents. It should go without saying that consuming alcohol or taking drugs on the job is strictly prohibited. There is a zero-tolerance policy for delivering under the influence.
Getting in the Door at DoorDash
DoorDash requires potential hires to submit to a background check. Like most gig-economy companies, DoorDash uses Checkr to perform background checks. This service reviews two aspects of an applicant’s background:
- Criminal history
- Motor vehicle record
Criminal histories are always analyzed by DoorDash, but if someone applies as a biker, motor vehicle histories are not checked. If applicants have a violation-plagued motor vehicle report but still want to deliver, applying as bikers might be a good option.
DoorDash looks over the past seven years of an applicant’s records. There is no time parameter on felonies, and a felony could mean an automatic disqualification in the application process. The more time between the applicant and the offense, the better, so an incident occurring in the last three years is seen as a red flag. Applicants are checked against a county and national criminal records system and are also run through the National Sex-Offender Registry.
Additional Offenses
In addition to driving under the influence, there are a few other offenses that may prevent an application from moving forward. Some of these include:
- Accidents, especially at-fault accidents
- Aggravating factors associated with DUI charges
- Driving on a suspended or expired license
- Driving without insurance
- Drug-related traffic violations
- Failing to stop and report an accident
- Running a traffic light
- Sexual Offenses
- Speeding violations
- Violent crimes
If an application is accepted, DoorDash will perform periodic background checks on Dashers to ensure their records stay clean.
Rejected applicants receive a letter of explanation. Rejection can be appealed by applicants if they submit their own letter of explanation—a thorough explanation with additional information, reasons, or details surrounding the DUI. Decisions have been changed, but reversals are rare.
Contact a DUI Lawyer in Los Angeles Today
It is important to review and compare your individual circumstances with DoorDash policies and their background check process. This will give you a better understanding of how your situation aligns with application guidelines.
If you have recently been charged with driving under the influence, find an experienced DUI attorney in Los Angeles. You need an advocate to navigate the complex territory of California’s DUI laws. For more information or to speak with an attorney, please contact us online or call us.
