How Long Does Postmates Background Check Take?

If you applied or are planning to work at Postmates as a delivery driver, you’re probably wondering, “How long does Postmates background check take? When will I be able to start working?”

The good news is that it doesn’t take long, but there are a few factors that might extend the process.

Are you curious to know why? Then, stick around to find out!

What’s the Average Time for Postmates Background Check?

Postmates background checks usually take 3-10 days, but it’s not uncommon to receive your background check results within 1-2 days.

If you don’t get your background check results after 10 days, make sure to contact the Postmates support team for a status update.

Why Does Postmates Require a Background Check?

So, why the background check? Simple: to ensure trustworthiness.

As a Postmates delivery driver, you’re required to drive safely, handle pickups carefully, use prepaid credit cards responsibly, and deal with customers respectfully.

Failure to do any of these things can imprint a bad image onto the company, which is why background checks are conducted; to ensure suitable hire.

Postmates Background Check Explained

Before we shed light on what the Postmates background check is all about, we must point out that Postmates was purchased by Uber in 2020. Since then, Postmates background checks have been conducted by Uber.

The Postmates background check is concerned with two things: criminal charges and driving violations. The screenings are administered by Checkr LLC, which is a reputable third-party screening company.

The Postmates background check isn’t concerned with anything related to credit. So if you have a below-average credit score, you don’t have to worry, as the background check won’t review your credit report.

Let’s take a look at what the Postmates background check looks for.

Criminal Record

The first thing a Postmates background check reviews is the candidate’s criminal history. Now, not all crimes will disqualify your Postmates application.

Below are the charges that can affect your application.

Felonies

Simply put, Postmates doesn’t hire delivery drivers with felony convictions. If you have a felony on your record, your application will be disqualified right away.

If you have a felony that’s still pending, you’ll need to clear the charges before you apply for Postmates.

Property Damage

Property damage is a criminal charge that is less likely to disqualify your Postmates application. However, the more serious the charge is, the higher the chances of disqualification.

If you have a trivial property damage conviction on your record, you shouldn’t fret too much. It probably won’t affect your chances of driving for Postmates.

Sexual Offenses

Sexual offenses come with a pretty high chance of disqualification. As a Postmates driver, you’re going to deal with a lot of customers.

So, of course, the company wouldn’t want to hire a delivery driver that might make its customers feel unsafe or put them at risk.

Violent Crimes

The chances of Postmates hiring a delivery driver with a violent crime on their record are significantly low. But, once again, the company wouldn’t feel comfortable hiring someone that could put its customers at risk.

Theft Convictions

Theft crimes also come with a high chance of disqualification. Seeing as Postmates drivers are required to handle prepaid credit cards, the company wouldn’t want to hire someone that might steal or use the card for personal use, or someone that might steal a customer’s delivery.

Driving Record

The Postmates background check is highly concerned with driving violations, which makes sense considering the most crucial part of being a delivery driver is—you guessed it—your driving!

Before applying for a delivery driver job at Postmates, we recommend visiting your state’s DMV website to check for driving violations. You can also request a copy of your driving record if you need it.

Below are the driving-related factors that can affect your application.

Driving License

In order to work for Postmates as a delivery driver, you must have a valid and active driver’s license. If your license is invalid or suspended, your application will be disqualified.

For those who are under the age of 25, Postmates requires a 3-year record of driving experience. For those who are 25 or older, Postmates requires a 1-year record of driving experience.

Bear in mind that Postmates doesn’t fancy license suspensions, even with reinstatement. If you have many driving license suspensions on your record, your application will most likely be disqualified.

Traffic Violations

To put it simply, the more traffic law violations you have on your record, the lower your chances of landing a job as a delivery driver at Postmates.

This is especially the case if you have major traffic violations on your record, like a hit and run, ignoring stop signs, ignoring red lights, and texting while driving.

Driving Accidents

Traffic accidents can have a significant effect on how your background check is perceived by screening companies, even if they’re no fault of your own. Generally, the more accidents on your record, the higher the chances of disqualification.

You might be wondering, “Why do Postmates take traffic accidents that serious if they don’t provide their drivers with company vehicles?”

Simply because getting into an accident in the middle of a Postmates delivery will delay the delivery and might cause problems when it comes to tracking shifts.

Driving Under the Influence

For obvious reasons, DUIs are taken very seriously in the Postmates screening process. If you have a DUI on your record, chances are your application will be rejected.

Delays in Postmates Background Check

If you don’t have committed any of the actions above, chances are that there are other causes for your background check taking a long time.

For example, you didn’t fill in the form correctly, and some information can’t be verified. Or you haven’t activated your Postmates card yet, so the company cannot start the background check process.

Sometimes, the motor vehicle check takes up to one week because of the state system where it’s verified. Similarly, the criminal record verification depends on the city.

Also, make sure that you submitted the authorization to perform the background check form to the company; otherwise, they won’t be able to proceed.

Postmates Background Check Requirements

The requirements for the Postmates background check won’t have you jumping through hoops. You’ll just need to submit some personal information, namely:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Social security number
• Driver’s license

Make sure these key pieces of information are accurate so that the company doesn’t end up screening the wrong person. Also, don’t hesitate to provide your social security number; your personal information is completely safe.

Note that you must be at least 18 years old to work as a delivery driver for Postmates and at least 21 years old to deliver alcohol. You must also own a smartphone as it’ll be the main tool through which you’ll receive your work.

If you’re not an American citizen, you need to have a work permit or a visa in order to work for Postmates.

Another thing that’s worth noting is that the Postmates background check won’t cost you a dime. They’re completely free!

Checking the Status of Your Background Check

During the screening period, you can check the status of your background check by heading to the official Checkr LLC website and following these steps:

1. On the Checkr LLC site, click on ‘My Background Check’ next to ‘Sign In.’
2. Choose the ‘Get Status of Your Background Check.’
3. Fill out the form that will pop up with your personal information.
4. You should now be seeing the status of your background check.

Once the background check is completed, Postmates will hand you a welcoming kit with a prepaid card so you can start working as a Postmates delivery driver.

If you’ve failed your background check and you’re certain the screening company has made a mistake, be sure to reach out to Postmates support for clarification. Alternatively, you can dispute the background check results as long as you’re sure there was an error.

If you know the reason why your background check was disqualified, and you’re still interested in working as a delivery driver for Postmates, you’ll have to clean up the conviction that resulted in the disqualification and then apply again.

FAQs

How Often Does Postmates Run Background Checks?

Postmates, like any respectable delivery service, puts the safety and convenience of its customers at the forefront. This is why the company runs annual background checks on its delivery drivers, apart from the initial pre-employment check.

The company terminates delivery drivers that don’t maintain a clean criminal and driving record, whether it’s a felony, DUI, theft crime, or any other disqualifying charge.

Does the Postmates Background Check Require Permission?

The answer is yes. Background checks are subject to several laws and regulations, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). These laws and regulations help protect consumer information.

That being said, a background check cannot be conducted without the consumer’s permission. So, in order for Postmates to run a background check on you so you can proceed with your application, you’ll have to grant them your permission.

Are Background Checks Required By Law?

No, background checks aren’t required by law. However, most companies won’t hire a candidate without running a background check first—with the candidate’s permission, of course.

Can I Remove Points From My Driving Record?

Absolutely! If you manage to drive safely without any traffic violations for a whole year, the points on your driving record will be reduced by half. If you manage to avoid violations for a couple of years, all of the points will be erased.

There are other things you can do to reduce the points on your driving record, but you should refer to your local DMV for more insights. Be sure to inquire about the eligibility requirements and the approved driver improvements schools in your area.

Do Postmates Customers Receive Information About Drivers?

They do. Once delivery is set in motion, Postmates will send details about the delivery driver to the customer or merchant. The details will include photo identification as well as details about the delivery driver’s vehicle.

As soon as the driver completes the delivery, the Postmates driver will no longer have access to the customer’s contact information or delivery address. This helps ensure the safety of Postmates customers.

In Summary

A normal Postmates background check process takes up to 10 days to be completed and you can check the status of your application by visiting Checkr LLC’s website. If you don’t receive your background check results after that time, you need to refer to the Postmates support team.

As long as your criminal and driving records are clean, the screening process will go smoothly, and you should be on the road as a delivery driver for Postmates in no time.

If your criminal and driving records are clean and you fail your background check, you can reach out to the Postmates support team for clarification, or you can dispute the check results.

If you haven’t applied for a job at Postmates yet, we highly recommend running a background check on yourself so that you can set your expectations straight.

Good luck!