You cannot legally drive for Instacart if your license is suspended, but you have other options depending on why your license was suspended and for how long.

Instacart requires all shoppers who drive to customers to have a valid driver's license. During the background check process, Instacart verifies your license status with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. If your license is suspended, you will not pass this check, and Instacart will not set up your account. If your license becomes suspended after you are already working, Instacart will deactivate your account once they discover the suspension.

The reason your license was suspended matters for what you can do next. Suspensions for unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, or failure to appear in court can sometimes be lifted faster than suspensions for DUI or reckless driving convictions. The length of the suspension also varies — some last 30 days, others last years. Your state's DMV website will tell you the exact end date of your suspension and what you need to do to restore it.

Key Takeaways

  • Instacart will not hire you or will deactivate your account if your driver's license is suspended, because the job requires a valid license to deliver to customers.
  • You can work as an Instacart shopper without driving — picking items in a store and handing them to a driver — if your store location offers this role.
  • To restore your license, contact your state's DMV to find out why it was suspended and what steps you must take to lift the suspension.
  • Once your license is restored and the suspension is fully lifted, you can reapply to Instacart and will need to pass the background check again.

Why Instacart requires a valid license

Instacart's insurance and legal liability depend on all drivers having current, valid licenses. If you drive for Instacart without a valid license, you are driving uninsured from Instacart's perspective, and you are breaking the law. An accident during a delivery could leave you personally liable for injuries and property damage, and Instacart could deny any claim you file.

Instacart also faces fines and legal consequences if they knowingly employ someone driving on a suspended license. This is why they check your license status before hiring and monitor it periodically while you work.

Working as a shopper without driving

Some Instacart locations hire in-store shoppers who do not drive. These shoppers pick items from shelves, bag them, and hand them to a driver who delivers to the customer. In-store shopper roles do not require a driver's license because you never transport items yourself.

Whether your local Instacart location has in-store shopper openings depends on the store and the demand in your area. You can check the Instacart app or website to see what roles are available near you. If in-store shopper positions are not listed, contact the store manager or Instacart support to ask whether they hire for that role.

How to find out why your license is suspended

Go to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website and look for a section called "License Status," "Check Your License," or "Driver Record." You will need to enter your license number and possibly your date of birth or Social Security number. The DMV will show you whether your license is suspended, the reason for the suspension, and the date it will be restored.

If you cannot find this information online, call your state's DMV directly. Have your license number and date of birth ready. The DMV staff can tell you exactly what you owe or what you need to do to lift the suspension.

Steps to restore your license

The steps depend on why your license was suspended. If it was suspended for unpaid fines, you will need to pay those fines to the court or DMV. If it was suspended for unpaid child support, you will need to contact the child support enforcement agency in your state and make a payment or arrange a payment plan. If it was suspended for failure to appear in court, you will need to contact the court and resolve the case.

After you complete the required step — paying fines, resolving child support, or appearing in court — the suspension does not lift when ready. You will need to file a reinstatement request with the DMV, which may involve paying a reinstatement fee. The fee varies by state, typically between $50 and $300. Once the DMV processes your reinstatement, you will receive a new license or a notice that your suspension has been lifted.

Some suspensions have a mandatory waiting period even after you complete the required action. For example, a DUI suspension might require you to wait 30 days after paying fines before you can request reinstatement. Check your DMV notice or website to see whether a waiting period applies to you.

Reapplying to Instacart after your license is restored

Once your license is fully restored and the suspension is completely lifted, you can reapply to Instacart. You will need to go through the full background check process again, including a new license verification. Instacart will check your current license status with the DMV, and if the suspension is no longer showing, you will pass this part of the check.

The background check also includes a review of your driving record. Depending on what caused your suspension, your driving record may show violations or convictions that could affect whether Instacart hires you. For example, Instacart may decline to hire you if your record shows a recent DUI, even after the suspension is lifted. You can request a copy of your driving record from the DMV to see what Instacart will see during their check.

Other delivery and gig work options

While your license is suspended, you might explore other gig work that does not require driving. Food delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats hire walkers and cyclists in some cities to deliver orders without a car. TaskRabbit hires people for in-person tasks like moving, cleaning, and handyman work. Rover hires dog walkers and pet sitters. These roles do not require a driver's license.

If you live in a city with good public transportation, you might also be able to use rideshare or delivery services as a customer while you wait for your license to be restored, rather than trying to work in those industries yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Instacart hire me again after my suspension is lifted?

Instacart will consider you again once your license is restored, but they will review your full driving record. If the suspension was for unpaid fines or child support, you will likely be hired once those are paid and the suspension is lifted. If the suspension was for a DUI or reckless driving, Instacart may still decline to hire you depending on how recent the conviction is and their current hiring standards.

Can I appeal Instacart's decision if they deactivate my account?

Instacart does not typically appeal deactivations based on a suspended license, because the requirement for a valid license is non-negotiable. Once your license is restored, you can reapply and go through the background check process again. If you believe Instacart made an error in checking your license status, you can contact Instacart support to explain the situation.

How long does it take to restore a suspended license?

This varies widely by state and by the reason for suspension. Unpaid fines can sometimes be resolved in days if you pay when ready, but the DMV may take one to two weeks to process the reinstatement. Child support suspensions and court-related suspensions can take longer depending on the agency involved. Check your state's DMV website for specific timelines.

Can I work for Instacart in another state if my license is suspended in my home state?

No. Instacart will check the license status in the state where your license is issued. Even if you move to another state temporarily, your home state's suspension will still show up in the background check. You must resolve the suspension in the state where it was issued.