What driving jobs are actually available for seniors
Driving jobs for seniors exist in several real categories, and most do not require you to be a commercial truck driver or work full-time. The most common options are delivery driving (for services like Amazon Flex, DoorDash, Instacart, or local grocery stores), rideshare driving (Uber, Lyft), taxi or car service work, and shuttle or paratransit driving for transit agencies or senior living communities. Some seniors also drive for medical transport services that move patients between home and appointments, or for moving companies that need drivers to relocate household goods.
The key difference between these jobs is flexibility and income. Delivery and rideshare let you set your own hours and work as much or as little as you want. Taxi, shuttle, and paratransit work usually means set shifts and a regular paycheck, but less control over when you work. Medical transport and moving company jobs often pay better per hour but may require you to lift or information passengers, which is not true of delivery or rideshare.
Key Takeaways
- Delivery driving (Amazon Flex, DoorDash, Instacart) and rideshare (Uber, Lyft) let you work your own hours, but you use your own car and pay for gas and maintenance.
- Taxi, shuttle, and paratransit driving offer set shifts and a regular paycheck, but less schedule control and usually lower pay per hour than delivery.
- Most driving jobs require a valid driver's license, a clean driving record (usually no major violations in the past 3 to 7 years), and a vehicle that passes inspection.
- Medical transport and moving company jobs pay more per hour but may require you to help passengers in and out of the vehicle or information with loading.
- Age itself is not a barrier — companies care about your driving record and ability to pass a background check, not your birth year.
What companies and employers actually check before hiring you
Every driving job requires a background check and a review of your driving record. The driving record check goes back 3 to 7 years depending on the company and the job type. They are looking for major violations (DUI, reckless driving, multiple speeding tickets), at-fault accidents, and license suspensions. A single speeding ticket from five years ago usually will not disqualify you, but a DUI or a suspended license will.
The background check itself looks at criminal history, typically going back 7 years. Misdemeanors and felonies both matter, though the company weighs them differently depending on the job. Rideshare and delivery companies are stricter about this than local taxi services. You will also need to provide proof of insurance and vehicle registration if you use your own car, and some companies require you to show proof of a recent physical or medical clearance.
Age-related medical concerns do come up, but not as a blanket rule. Some companies ask whether you have had a stroke, seizure, or loss of consciousness in the past few years. If you have, you may need a doctor's letter saying you are safe to drive. This is not about age — it is about conditions that affect driving ability. A 70-year-old with a clean record and no medical restrictions will be treated the same as a 40-year-old with the same record.
How to start with delivery and rideshare driving
Delivery and rideshare companies have the fastest onboarding process. For Amazon Flex, you read the app, provide your driver's license number and Social Security number, upload a photo of yourself and your vehicle, and wait for background clearance — usually 3 to 5 business days. DoorDash and Instacart follow a similar process. Uber and Lyft require a bit more: they want a photo of your license, a selfie, proof of insurance, and proof of vehicle registration. They also require a vehicle inspection at a partner location (often a car wash or service station) that checks brakes, lights, and tires.
Once you are cleared, you log into the app whenever you want to work. You see available deliveries or rides, accept the ones you want, and complete them. You keep a percentage of the fare (usually 75 to 80 percent for delivery, less for rideshare after the company's cut). You are responsible for gas, maintenance, and vehicle insurance — which must cover commercial use if you are doing rideshare or delivery. Your personal auto insurance may not cover this, so check your policy or ask your insurance company about a commercial rider.
how the process works for taxi, shuttle, or paratransit work
These jobs require a different process because they are usually with a single employer — a taxi company, a transit agency, or a senior living facility. You find openings by searching "[your city] taxi driver jobs" or "[your city] paratransit driver," or by calling your local public transit agency directly and asking about driver positions. Many transit agencies have a careers page on their website.
The process includes a written form, a driving record check, and an interview. Some agencies require a commercial driver's license (CDL), but most taxi and paratransit jobs do not — a regular driver's license is enough. A few ask for a medical exam or a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical, which is a standard health screening that costs $50 to $150 and checks your vision, hearing, and ability to operate a vehicle safely. Once hired, you work scheduled shifts, receive a paycheck, and may get benefits like health insurance or a retirement plan depending on the employer.
Medical transport and moving company driving
Medical transport services move patients to doctor appointments, dialysis, physical therapy, and other medical visits. You pick up a patient at home, drive them to their appointment, wait, and drive them back. The pay is usually $16 to $22 per hour depending on your location and the company. Companies like LogistiCare, MTM, and local medical transport services hire drivers regularly. You explore through their website or by calling their dispatch office.
Moving companies like United Van Lines, Bekins, and local movers also hire drivers. This work pays more — often $18 to $28 per hour — but involves helping load and unload household goods, which can be physically demanding. Some companies will hire you as a driver only if you are willing to help with loading; others have separate loader positions. The process process is similar to taxi work: a form, background check, and driving record review.
What your vehicle needs to pass inspection
If you use your own car for delivery or rideshare, it must meet basic safety standards. Rideshare companies (Uber and Lyft) require a vehicle inspection that checks that your brakes work, your lights function, your tires have tread, your windshield is not cracked, and your horn works. The vehicle must be registered in your name and have current insurance. Most companies also require the vehicle to be no more than 10 to 15 years old, though this varies by company and location.
Delivery companies like Amazon Flex and DoorDash are less strict — they do not require a formal inspection, but your vehicle must be safe and legal to drive. If you are stopped by police and cited for a safety violation (bad brakes, bald tires, broken lights), the company may deactivate your account. Keep your vehicle maintained, get regular oil changes, and replace tires and brakes before they fail.
How much you can expect to earn
Earnings vary widely by job type and location. Delivery drivers typically earn $15 to $25 per hour, though this includes time spent waiting for orders and driving between deliveries. Rideshare drivers earn $12 to $20 per hour after the company's cut, and this also includes unpaid waiting time. Taxi drivers in busy cities can earn $18 to $30 per hour, but in smaller towns it may be $12 to $18. Paratransit drivers earn $16 to $22 per hour with benefits. Medical transport drivers earn $16 to $22 per hour. Moving company drivers earn $18 to $28 per hour.
Remember that if you use your own vehicle, you pay for gas, maintenance, insurance, and vehicle wear. A rough estimate is $0.50 to $0.70 per mile in total vehicle costs, so a delivery that pays $8 but requires you to drive 10 miles actually nets you $3 to $5 after vehicle costs. Paratransit, taxi, and moving company jobs use company vehicles, so you do not have this expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a commercial driver's license for any of these jobs?
Most do not. Delivery, rideshare, taxi, and paratransit work use a regular driver's license. A few paratransit agencies and some moving companies require a CDL if the vehicle is over a certain weight, but this is uncommon. Check the job posting or call the employer to ask.
What if I have a minor traffic violation or an accident on my record?
A single speeding ticket or minor accident from several years ago usually will not disqualify you. Companies care most about recent violations and major ones (DUI, reckless driving, license suspension). If you are unsure, contact the company directly and describe your record — they can tell you whether it is a problem before you spend time on the process.
Can I do delivery or rideshare if I do not own a car?
Some rideshare companies partner with car rental services that offer short-term rentals for drivers, though the rental cost cuts into your earnings significantly. Delivery and rideshare generally require you to own or lease a vehicle. Taxi, paratransit, and medical transport jobs provide the vehicle, so you do not need to own one.
What happens if I get into an accident while working?
If you use your own vehicle for delivery or rideshare, your personal auto insurance may not cover an accident that happens while you are working. You need commercial coverage or a rideshare endorsement on your policy. If you are in a company vehicle (taxi, paratransit, medical transport), the company's insurance covers the accident. Check your policy before you start work.
Is there an age limit for these jobs?
No. Companies do not have an upper age limit. They care about your driving record, your ability to pass a background check, and your ability to do the job safely. If you can drive safely and meet the company's requirements, your age is not a factor.