Grubhub: Background check / MVR re-run deactivation appeal

What this deactivation means

The agreement lets Grubhub re-run criminal and driving checks at any time, so a re-run can fail a record that passed before. Policy names recent felonies, serious offenses, pending charges, multiple moving violations or accidents in the last two years, and any recent DUI, reckless driving, or hit-and-run. The screening is run by an outside company, usually Checkr per driver reports, and wrong entries happen: another person's record, a resolved case shown as open, or a not-at-fault accident counted as a violation.

Where and when to appeal

The evidence that moves this reason

• Your copy of the screening report (the adverse-action email links it, and you can get it free)
• certified court records showing dismissal, expungement, or the true outcome
• a current DMV printout
• identity documents if the record is not yours
• your history of passed checks that included the same old record

What actually works

This is a documents case, not a persuasion case. If the report is wrong, dispute it with the screening company first; the law makes them recheck it, usually within 30 days, and the corrected report goes to Grubhub. Then reply on your deactivation thread with the fixed report attached. If the record is real but old, minor, or something earlier checks already passed, send the court papers and say exactly that.

You can win this one, but only with strong, specific proof; a form letter won't move it.

If Grubhub denies the appeal

Denied: re-appeal through the same email thread or the form with NEW evidence; nothing in Grubhub's policy caps attempts, and the 90-day window leaves room for a stronger second try. The contractual path is INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION before the American Arbitration Association under the Delivery Partner Agreement (Section 12), unless you opted out within 30 days of accepting the agreement (opt-outs go to driverinfo@grubhub.com). Arbitration has a REQUIRED first step: an informal phone conference. Send Grubhub written notice that you want one; the agreement says the call happens within 7 days of Grubhub receiving the notice, and the deadline clock on your claims pauses while you wait. Some disputes end at that call. A formal demand must go by certified mail to Grubhub, 5 Bryant Park, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10018, Attn: General Counsel, signed in ink; the agreement rejects digital signatures. Grubhub pays the arbitrator's fees, filing and admin costs are shared, and the hearing happens in your county. If the background or driving report is wrong, dispute it directly with the company that made it (usually Checkr). The law (FCRA) makes them recheck it, usually within 30 days, and the fixed report goes to the platform automatically. Fixing a wrong report is often the easiest win there is. Seattle drivers: Grubhub is covered by the App-Based Worker Deactivation Rights Ordinance, and Seattle OLS has already made Grubhub redo one deactivation and pay penalties (late 2025). That means 14 days notice before most deactivations, access to the records behind it, a challenge process, and reinstatement with back pay if the deactivation was unjustified; file with Seattle OLS within 90 days. NYC: the December 2025 deactivation law (Int. 1332, in effect since late January 2026) covers Grubhub, Seamless, and Relay; it requires a stated reason, an appeal process, and 120 days notice before a permanent removal.