Instacart has become one of the most popular grocery delivery apps in the gig economy. Like with doing work for companies like Uber and DoorDash, people enjoy the flexibility and accessibility of gig apps like Instacart.
If you’re here, it’s because you want to start shopping for Instacart. This article will tell you everything you need to know to get you going (plus how to maximize your earnings with Instacart).
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Instacart Shopper Quick Facts
First off, Instacart offers two distinct shopper roles: full-service shoppers who shop and deliver orders as independent contractors, and in-store shoppers who only shop inside stores as part-time employees.
This guide focuses on full-service shopper requirements since that’s the delivery role most people research for.
The application process typically takes just a few days once you’ve submitted all of the required documents.
Requirements to Deliver for Instacart
Instacart’s requirements cover basic eligibility, transportation, physical capability, and technology needs. Most of these are fairly straightforward. In the end, they’re meant to ensure that you can do the work safely and efficiently.
Age and Legal Eligibility to Shop for Instacart
You must be 18 years old to work as an Instacart shopper in the United States. There’s no upper age limit.
You’ll need to be legally authorized to work in the United States and provide documentation to verify your work eligibility. Instacart will verify this information during the application process, along with your identity.
A bank account is required to receive your earnings via direct deposit. You can choose weekly deposits or use their instant cashout feature for a $0.50 fee to access your earnings as soon as two hours after completing an order, though new shoppers will need to complete five orders before accessing instant cashout.
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Instacart Driver’s License and Vehicle Requirements
A valid driver’s license issued by your state is required since you’ll be driving to deliver orders to customers’ homes. Your license must be current and in good standing without any major violations.
You also will need access to a reliable vehicle capable of safely transporting groceries. Unlike some platforms like Uber, Instacart doesn’t have any specific vehicle age requirements.
Your vehicle must be insured with coverage that meets your state’s minimum car insurance requirements. Instacart verifies insurance during onboarding, and you’ll need to maintain active coverage to remain on their platform.
Some insurance companies require notification if you’re using your vehicle for delivery work, so check your policy terms. While Instacart doesn’t provide any type of commercial insurance, maintaining proper personal coverage protects you financially if accidents occur during deliveries.
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Physical and Equipment Requirements for Instacart
Instacart shopping can be more physically demanding than other gig apps since you’re handling groceries rather than letting people into your car or just transporting small restaurant orders. You will need to be able to lift at least 40 pounds, as orders frequently include heavy items like cases of water, pet food bags, or bulk products.
Expect significant time on your feet walking through stores and navigating to customer homes. Some deliveries will involve doing things like climbing stairs for apartment deliveries or walking longer distances, so consider whether these physical demands fit your abilities.
You will also need a smartphone running iOS 17 or newer or Android 8.0 or newer with sufficient storage and a reliable data plan. This is so that you can use the Instacart Shopper app, which you’ll need to receive orders, navigate to stores and customers, and communicate about things like substitutions or other issues.
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Insulated/thermal bags and coolers aren’t required, but Instacart does recommend you use one to keep your customers’ items and the temperature they expect them to be. You may need to search around to find ones that Instacart will approve of.
We also recommend you get a phone mount and charger for your car. Since Instacart is an app, you’re going to be on your phone for most of the time you’re working and driving, so having navigation open and your phone charged is important.
Background Check and Approval
Before you accept any Instacart orders, you’ll need to pass a background check. Instacart uses third-party providers to do these checks.
Serious or recent convictions in your criminal history can make qualifying difficult. Your driving record should also be clean of major violations like DUIs, though minor things like a few traffic tickets won’t disqualify you.
The background check should complete between one and four days, though some have reported that it may take longer. Keep in mind that they do continue to monitor your criminal history even after you’re accepted to deliver for Instacart.
How to Apply to Instacart
Like with most gig apps, applying to become an Instacart shopper is fairly straightforward and can be done with your smartphone. Search for the Instacart Shopper app from the App Store or Play Store.
As you’re creating your account, you’ll need to upload photos of your driver’s license and car insurance, enter your bank account details for direct deposit, and consent to the background check.
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Once approved, you’ll complete a brief onboarding training through the app that explains how to accept batches, shop for items, and communicate with your customers about substitutions, and complete deliveries.
When that’s done, you’re ready to start earning with Instacart!
Maximizing Your Instacart Earnings
Successful Instacart shoppers treat their work like a business. By doing so, you can earn thousands of dollars more than someone else who doesn’t.
First and foremost, you will need to be strategic with your work. Accepting the right batches and working at the right times can be the difference in your potential for profitability.
Before accepting any batch, evaluate the total payout against the number of items, estimated shopping time, and delivery distance. A $20 batch with 40 items might take you an hour to complete, while a $15 batch with 15 items could take 20 minutes.
Pay attention to when you get the most orders in your area as well. Peak times typically include evenings, weekends, and holidays. In the end, the more you shop and deliver, the more in tune you will be with knowing which orders to accept and when and where to be available to shop.
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Mileage and Expense Tracking is a Must for Instacart Drivers
For example, one of the best things you can do as an Instacart shopper is to track your mileage. Every mile you drive for deliveries is tax-deductible at $0.70 cents per mile using the 2025 IRS standard mileage rate. Every 1000 miles driven for Instacart is $700 back on your taxes in 2025!
While you can track your mileage manually, needing to pull out a pen and paper and manually log your mileage, trip purpose, etc. can be tedious. We recommend using a mileage tracker app like TripLog to track your mileage automatically.
Just start driving and TripLog starts tracking automatically, stops when you stop, and adds all required information to the trip’s details.
You should also track your business expenses beyond mileage. Things like insulated bags and any other costs related to your Instacart work are tax deductible as well.
Instacart Driver Requirements FAQ
Q: How long does it take to get approved for Instacart?
A: The approval process usually takes between 1 and 4 days. Some shoppers have reported longer wait times, however.
Q: Do I need a newer car to deliver for Instacart?
A: No, Instacart doesn’t have any specific vehicle age requirements. As long as your vehicle is reliable and can safely transport groceries, you’ll be good to go.
Q: What’s the difference between full-service and in-store shoppers?
A: Full-service shoppers are independent contractors who shop for orders and deliver them to customers, setting their own schedules and handling their own taxes. In-store shoppers are part-time employees who only shop inside stores, work scheduled shifts, and receive hourly wages with taxes handled by Instacart.
Q: Do I need to pay for the orders myself?
A: No, you will not. Instacart will send you a payment card that you will use when checking out. New shoppers get their cards 5-7 days after getting approved.
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Instacart Shopper Requirements - Conclusion
Instacart’s shopper requirements are pretty accessible as long as you have a valid driver’s license, a reliable car, and the ability to handle the physical demands of grocery shopping. However, success as an Instacart driver comes down to being strategic and properly tracking your mileage and expenses for tax deductions.
To make mileage and expense tracking easy, you can download TripLog on iOS or Android and start tracking for free today!
