The process of becoming a courier for DoorDash, Uber Eats or Menulog in Australia is quite easy. All processes are done online and there is no need to prepare a series of burdensome prerequisites.
One of the documents needed to start this gig is a driver’s licence, especially for those of you who plan to deliver by a motorized vehicle such as a car, motorbike, or scooter, the same documents as those typically held by regular drivers.
However, not all types of licences are eligible to be used to apply as a delivery driver, as each company has its own policies regarding driver’s licences.
In most states in Australia, there are several stages to getting a driver’s licence. Such as Learner’s Permit, P1 licence (red P plates), P2 licence (green P plates) and Full Licence.
Here I will try to explain further about the types of driver’s licences that can be used with delivery platforms across the country.
Delivering with a Full Driver’s Licence
If you have a full driver’s licence then you will have no problem getting accepted to work on all delivery platforms in Australia. One platform that only accepts this kind of licence is Uber Eats.
As the market leader and the biggest on-demand delivery platform in the country, Uber does have slightly stricter requirements than its competitors.
Unfortunately, this policy hinders some people from joining the platform. Because not all of those who want to become delivery drivers are eligible for a full driver’s licence. Such as those who only have a provisional licence or those with an overseas licence.
As far as we are aware, a full open driver’s licence is the highest level of a driving licence in all states. These licence holders can legally drive vehicles within the specified categories without additional restrictions.
Doing Uber Eats on Your Provisional Licence
As I mentioned earlier, the Uber Eats platform only accepts delivery drivers with full open licences, not the provisional licence. This applies to anyone who plans to deliver with a car, scooter or motorbike.
So, if you currently only have P1 (red Ps) or P2 (green Ps) then you should cancel your intention to register. Because your application will eventually be turned down.
The only option if you want to deliver for Uber but are still on your Ps is to deliver by using a bike. Alternatively, if you are a temporary visa holder, such as an international student, you can think about using your overseas licence for delivering with a car.
Delivering DoorDash on your Ps
DoorDash is one of the on-demand delivery platforms that allows its delivery drivers with P plates to deliver with them, even though it isn’t stated on their official website.
The platform appears to be relatively lenient on driver’s licence requirements compared to competing platforms. You can sign up with your P2 or green P plates, even some fellow Dashers I met said that if they use their P1 (red Ps) and DoorDash still accepts them to deliver on their platform.
As a relatively new delivery platform in Australia, DoorDash needs a large pool of drivers to support its growth across the country. And providing opportunities for P-platers to become Dashers is one effective way to attract new drivers to sign up to the platform.
This strategy will enable the company to reach more people who are interested in this side hustle but are hindered by P plates. For example, younger generations or international students who are still in the process of converting their overseas driver’s licence to an Australian licence.
Doing Menulog on P plates
Yes, you can do Menulog on your Ps. However, the company has a different strategy by only accepting P2 plates or green Ps. However, any Learners and P1 (red Ps) are not accepted when used to sign up to become a driver.
Unlike the two platforms I explained earlier, Menulog chooses not to be too strict like Uber but also not too loose like DoorDash when it comes to driver’s licence requirements.
Only accepting P2 plates on its platforms helps the company filter applicants and ensure there are enough orders for all its delivery couriers.
In addition, Menulog is also not as assertive as its competitors in recruiting new drivers. They still provide an opportunity for anyone to register to deliver. However, they activate driver accounts only when they feel there is a need for drivers in an area.
Mobile phone usage for Delivery Driver with P-plates
As we know, delivery gigs like Uber Eats or DoorDash cannot be separated from using mobile phones. Drivers are required to interact a lot with smartphones while working, such as to accept delivery orders or for navigation needs.
According to the laws in force in almost all states in Australia, most learners and provisional licence holders are prohibited from using mobile phones while driving.
However, not all states absolutely prohibit all types of provisional licences. Because there are some states where P2 (green Ps) can still use mobile phones while driving although with some conditions.
Here are some regulations regarding mobile phone usage for provisional licence holders in some states across Australia.
New South Wales
In NSW, P-platers are not allowed to use a mobile phone while driving, even when they’re stationary, such as when stopped at a traffic light. You are also still not permitted to use it even if the mobile phone is secured in a phone holder.
Currently, Ps licence holders are only allowed to use when parked out of the line of traffic but it is not necessary to turn off the ignition.
Unfortunately, the use of maps and navigation is also prohibited across the state. Of course, this will limit delivery drivers with Ps since they must be able to reach their destination without the help of navigation.
Read more about the rules at www.nsw.gov.au
Victoria
In Victoria, P-platers are usually new and young drivers, they must follow strict mobile phone rules for road safety. They are also not allowed to use a mobile phone while driving.
Fortunately, you can still use the navigation function as long as the mobile phone is securely mounted and the navigation has been set before the trip starts.
So, as a delivery driver in Victoria, you can still accept orders by parking your vehicle first and then setting the navigation to go to the restaurant or customer location.
Read more about the rules at transport.vic.gov.au
Queensland
Different from the two previous states, in this state only stricter mobile phone usage rules apply only to Learner and P1 drivers under 25 years of age.
P2 licence holders (and P1 drivers over 25 years old) in Victoria are allowed to touch their mobile phone for hands-free use, as long as it’s mounted to the vehicle. This includes the use of navigation apps and accepting or rejecting delivery orders.
Regulations like the ones in QLD really support the work of delivery drivers. Making it easier for them to access the delivery orders or use navigation without having to get off the road and stop.
Read more about the rules at www.qld.gov.au
South Australia
In Adelaide and other areas of South Australia, Learners and P1 license holders are prohibited from using any type of mobile phone function while driving, including using it with a hands-free mode like Bluetooth or a voice command.
Fortunately, the law no longer applies to you if you hold a P2 license or green Ps, but make sure you are only using it in accordance with the road rules.
GPS navigation can be used only when the phone is mounted to the vehicle. However, you are still not allowed to touch it while driving.
So you need to set up your GPS locations before the journey. Also, you need to pull over and park before making navigation changes or accepting delivery orders.
Read more about the rules at www.mylicence.sa.gov.au
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Using a mobile device while driving for learners and provisional drivers is prohibited across the ACT including in Canberra. This means you can’t touch the screen like texting or using social media, even using it in hands-free or speaker mode is prohibited.
Thankfully, Learners and P1/P2 license holders are still allowed to use their mobile devices for GPS as long as their mobile phone is securely attached to the phone holder or cradle.
So, when you want to receive orders or set GPS navigation you must be safely parked out of road lines.
Read more about the rules at cityservices.act.gov.au
Tasmania
Learners and P1 licence holders are banned from using mobile phones whilst driving in Hobart and other cities across Tasmania. Meanwhile, P2 and Full licence holders can still use their devices via Bluetooth or voice command.
It is not much different from other states because we have to pull over and park to touch our phones, including for navigation purposes and accepting orders.
Read more about the rules at transport.tas.gov.au
Western Australia
Delivery drivers with full driver licences in Western Australia including Perth can touch their mobile phone to make, receive and terminate calls only if the phone is mounted to the vehicle.
Sadly, we have not received any information about the related rules from the official government website, especially for P1 or P2 license holders. However, it seems that the rules are stricter. So Ps drivers should avoid using mobile phones while driving.
Read more about the rules at transport.wa.gov.au
