Canada - Delivering Alcohol Guidelines
Canada - Delivering Alcohol Guidelines
While on a dash, you may see orders containing alcoholic beverages.
The following information is intended to help you lawfully deliver alcohol with DoorDash in Canada. You could be held liable if you deliver alcohol to a minor or someone who is visibly intoxicated, so it’s important that you know what to do to protect yourself and the customer.
Important reminders:
You must verify the customer’s identity by following instructions in the Dasher app before you hand them an order containing alcohol. You cannot leave an alcohol order unattended or hand it to someone who cannot produce a valid ID (even if they claim that the customer is inside and can’t come to the door). The customer ID must match the identity of the purchaser listed on the order.
Dashers cannot consume alcohol prior to or while dashing—or be under the influence of anything.
This is serious business. You may be held liable if you provide alcohol to a person who is underage or intoxicated.
Liability may include:
Facing fines or jail time for illegal alcohol delivery
Facing civil suits, which typically result in a monetary fine (but a criminal action can result in jail time)
Facing lawsuits that individuals may bring against delivery persons to recover damages for personal injury or property.
Removal from major delivery platform(s) resulting from non-compliance
Remember, we’re here to support you! If you have any questions before, during, or after a dash, get in touch with us through the Dasher app or call support.
The following is the Dasher’s guide in Delivering Alcohol.
Dasher requirements
How do I know if the order contains Alcohol?
Your step-by-step delivery guide
Key delivery rules to remember
How to verify the customer’s identity
Preventing delivery to underage customers
Why staying compliant matters
Preventing delivery to intoxicated customers
How to refuse delivery
What to do with undeliverable orders
Dasher requirements
Dashers must be 18+ years of age, and hold a valid alcohol delivery certificate to deliver orders containing alcohol. Have your alcohol delivery certificate ready when you pick up the order—merchants may ask for it. Please refer to this article for instructions on how to become eligible for alcohol deliveries in Canada.
How do I know if the order contains alcohol?
You'll see a badge on the screen indicating that the order “Contains restricted items” and that the recipient “Must be 19+ to accept order” (In some provinces, this will appear to be 18+).
Once you click “Accept'', the Dasher app will include the steps required to deliver alcohol safely and compliantly in accordance with applicable provincial law.
Your Step-by-step delivery guide
Follow the steps in the Dasher app. Upon delivery, you’ll be prompted to scan the customer’s physical ID.
Take a look — make sure the person on the ID is the same person you’re handing the order to.
Key delivery rules to remember
Don't accept additional orders or special requests for alcohol directly from customers (for example, if they reach out via text)
Don't leave an order unattended for a customer to collect. You must deliver the order in person.
Use your best judgment
Remember, you can always refuse to deliver if a person appears underage but presents an ID saying they are older.
Restricted locations
Public or private school (K-12) (e.g. an elementary school)
College campus (e.g. a frat house)
Hospitals, institutions or facilities where the nature of the facility is to treat alcohol/substance abuse addictions
Prison, reformatory, or veterans’ home
Locker or similar package storage service (e.g. a storage facility)
Business that sells alcohol (e.g. liquor store)
Note that, in Alberta, all locations are restricted, except for deliveries to a private residence. If you arrive at a customer’s address with an alcohol order, and you see that the address is, or you reasonably suspect that it is, one of the specified restricted locations, you are empowered to refuse delivery. Follow the “Can’t complete delivery” instructions in your Dasher app which will guide you on what to do with the alcohol. If you are prompted to return back to the store, you will be compensated for the return trip.
How to verify the customer’s identity
(remember: you must verify the customer’s identity before handing them the order)
The Dasher app will guide you as you go so you can focus on the delivery. Remember, you cannot hand over the alcohol to the customer until you’ve completed all the steps in the Dasher app.
You’ll be prompted to “Scan customer’s ID before handing over any items”
Scan the front of the customer's ID to confirm they are over the provincial age requirement.
Reminder: The Canada-wide legal minimum age for consuming alcohol is 19 years old, except for in Quebec, where the minimum age is 18 years old.
Note: In provinces that require a signature, you’ll be prompted to collect the customer’s signature
These are acceptable forms of ID:
Driver’s License
Passport
International passport (acceptable if it includes the name, date of birth, photo and signature of the applicant and, if not in English or French, is accompanied by a professionally translated version)
Canadian military identification card
Government-issued identification card
Canadian citizenship card issued before February 1, 2012
Canadian permanent resident card
U.S. permanent resident card
Provincial and territorial ID Card
These are INVALID, non-acceptable forms of ID
Non-government ID (ex. college ID or work ID)
Credit Card
Printed copy or photo of an ID
Expired IDs
What to check a physical ID for...
Check the photo and physical description to make sure they match the customer.
Confirm both the expiration date and the customer’s date of birth.
For physical IDs, hold it to see if it’s been tampered with or if it looks like a fake.
Some things to consider for confirming a valid physical ID...
Some provinces use raised text or embossed elements that you can feel on valid IDs.
A valid ID will NOT include images of a lock or key.
In some Provinces, valid ID can also include holographic images. These 3D images change when the ID is viewed at different angles.
How to spot a fake…
The edges of a valid ID should be smooth and uniform, whereas the edges of a fake ID may be rougher or coming apart.
Valid identification should NOT include words like 'genuine', 'souvenir', 'official', 'novelty' or 'authentic'.
If the lamination is split, thin, or has bubbles, it may have been tampered with.
Severely damaged IDs should not be accepted.
Remember, you can always refuse to deliver if a person appears below 21 years old but presents an ID saying they are older.
Preventing Delivery to Underage Customers
Rules in Canada
By law, you must be 19 years old to consume or possess alcohol, except for in Alberta, Manitoba & Quebec, where the minimum age is 18 years old.
People under the legal drinking age may not purchase or receive alcohol.
People above the legal drinking age may not purchase alcohol on behalf of someone under the legal drinking age.
Why staying compliant matters
Be sure to follow the law. If a delivery person makes an illegal alcohol delivery, they may be personally liable. Fines can be issued by authorities, and individuals may bring lawsuits against a delivery person to recover damages for personal injury or property.
Remember, we’re here to support you! If you have any questions before, during, or after a dash, get in touch with us through the Dasher app or by contacting Dasher Support.
Preventing Delivery to Intoxicated Customers
It's illegal to serve someone alcohol who is already intoxicated. The law requires that alcohol NOT be delivered to a customer who appears intoxicated with any substance (such as alcohol or cannabis, for example).
Here are some common signs that someone’s had too much to drink:
Look for glassy or bloodshot eyes or if someone clearly has difficulty keeping their eyes open.
If you notice that the person’s breath or clothes smell of alcohol, this may be an effective tell-tale sign of intoxication.
If someone is having trouble walking in a straight line or is fumbling with objects, this may be a sign that they are intoxicated.
Use your best judgment, since some medical conditions can cause similar symptoms.
How to refuse delivery
Your right to refuse delivery
If you suspect someone is underage or intoxicated, you ALWAYS have the right to refuse delivery of alcohol.
If you are suspicious that the recipient is using a fake ID or is intoxicated, do not deliver alcohol products to them.
If you suspect that the customer is accepting the delivery on behalf of someone else who is underage, you must refuse delivery.
How to refuse delivery
Politely tell the customer that you cannot deliver the alcohol.
Take the alcohol back to your vehicle.
Follow the instructions in your Dasher app which will guide you on what to do with the alcohol.
Should a potentially tricky situation arise, get to a safe location and call law enforcement.
What to do with undeliverable orders
What if no one is home?
The Dasher app will instruct you to return the alcohol to the store. Dashers will be compensated for the return trip to the store.
Alcohol cannot, under ANY circumstances, be left unattended at a customer’s door.
Follow the "customer unavailable instructions and the Dasher app will instruct you on what to do with the alcohol.
