Neurotransmitter transporters generate larger currents than expected if one assumes fixed stoichiometry models. It remains controversial, however, whether these depolarizing currents arise from high density and rapid turnover rates of a classical transporter, or whether transporters exhibit bona fide channel behavior. Although heterologously expressed transporters show single-channel behavior and noise analysis in native cells strongly suggests channel behavior, no directly observed single-channel events associated with transporters have been reported thus far in native cells. We describe single-channel events arising directly from the Caenorhabditis elegans dopamine transporter (DAT-1) as evidenced by DA-induced channel activity blocked by a high-affinity DAT-1 inhibitor, increased channel activity in neurons that overexpress DAT-1, and loss of channels in dat-1 knockout neurons. Our data indicate that authentic transporter channels underlie depolarizing whole-cell currents. Thus, DA transporters not only transport DA but also exhibit a channel mode of conduction that directly modulates membrane potential and neuronal function.