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Doordash Driver Jobs – Should You Sign Up In 2019?

January 4, 2019/in Blog, Doordash Drivers/by Avery Baxter

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Earning extra money in today’s economy is a challenge.

If you apply to be Doordash driver, you can discover how easy it is to work a flexible job, set your own hours, and earn money in an easy-going setting. Even better, driving for Doordash means less wear and tear on your car versus driving for Uber or Lyft. And to top it off, you don’t even need a car to deliver for doordash. In most markets, motorcycles and bicycles are ok.

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(Disclosure – We independently research our content to provide free advice for you. We may get compensation if you sign up with services, or purchase products through our affiliate links.)

Doordash Driver – How To Get A Doordash Delivery Job

While you can make as much as $25 per hour as a Dasher, as the company refers to its delivery workers, average full-time pay is more likely to be in the $14 – $20/hr range, and can vary substantially by location.

Doordash is currently available in all 50 states and almost 1,800 locations.

Read on to discover more about how to get started and what it takes to have success when delivering for Doordash.

Or, if you’re ready to start today, hit the button below to begin your application.

Join Doordash

Doordash Dasher Requirements For 2019

In 2019, to qualify to drive Doordash jobs, you will to meet the following requirements:

Be 18 years of age or older.
If you’re driving, you’ll need a U.S. driver’s license and a vehicle insurance policy.

Doordash Vehicle Requirements For 2019

There are no specific Doordash vehicle requirements. You can pretty much use any car for Doordash. In most markets, you are also able to use a motorcycle, scooter, bike, or even walk while dashing.

Check your local Doordash driver vehicle requirements.

These are basic requirements that every Doordash dasher needs to meet. Much of the process you’ll go through is similar to what drivers for Uber and Lyft go through, but you don’t need to worry about specifics such as having a four-door car since you’re delivering food, not people.

Doordash jobs aren’t as complicated as you might expect. Once you fill out your application and get approved, you’re ready to start signing up for shifts and getting paid.

There’s usually no orientation or the need to shadow someone else. And because you’re setting your own hours, you’ll have greater freedom over deciding what days and times work best for your needs.

One important aspect to be aware of is you should know your city. The more efficient you are in getting around town, the more you’ll earn as a Doordash dasher.

So, if you’re new in town, get used to driving around, finding out where restaurants are and know your way around.

This includes learning about neighborhoods and residential roads, too. After all, you’ll need to drive to your customers once you’ve picked up food from the restaurant of their choice.

Be sure to check our Dasher Tips and Answers To Common Doordash Questions.

How To Use The Doordash Dasher App

Doordash dashers are independent contractors, so you’ll need to supply a few items. That includes your smartphone, car, insurance, and any supplies you might need for your work.

The good news is, all the supplies you purchase and the use of your phone, can get deducted for work purposes come tax time.

The dasher app is where you’ll perform the majority of your work as a driver.

Once you pass your background check and are approved to start dashing, the first thing you’ll need to do is choose when and where you want to dash. You can schedule dash shifts up to five days in advance, or six once you qualify for Dasher early access.

Peak times to drive doordash are usually on weekdays between 11:00AM – 2:00PM and 5:00PM – 9:00PM.

Once you start your shift, you’ll log in to the Doordash dasher app when you’re ready and tap “Dash Now.”

Each Doordash market is divided into zones. While you can choose to dash in different zones within your market, you must start in the zone you selected for your shift.

Demand in the Doordash app is color coded. The darker the red, the more need for dashers in that zone.

Once you start your shift, you’ll have the opportunity to take orders as they come in.

You’ll always be able to see the guaranteed earnings for the individual delivery up front.

doordash driver pay dasher app accept order

Doordash Driver Pay – How Much Do Doordash Drivers Make?

When Doordash first started, they offered dashers a set amount per hour.

Doordash driver pay changed in 2017, and now Doordash no longer offers a minimum payout. This means it’s important to figure out what times you’ll make the most money.

However, Doordash does still tell you the minimum you’ll earn on each individual delivery, before you accept it.

Here are a few things to remember about driver pay when you’re venturing out for the first time.

There are certain peak periods where you are likely to earn the most. Generally, these are during lunch and dinner hours.
Certain periods may have bonuses attached to them.
Doordash will send you notifications that tell you about any specials for drivers going on.

Just as there are sign-on bonuses and promos for Lyft drivers who sign up, certain markets offer a sign up bonus or guaranteed earnings.

Doordash pays all dashers weekly by direct deposit. Any tips you received through the app get transferred during this time and are deposited with the rest of the money earned while driving. Drivers / Dashers on Doordash keep 100% of their tips.

Although the pay structure operates differently than it used to, you can still make a good part or full-time job out of driving for Doordash.

Find Out About Dasher Busy Pay Bonus Opportunities

As touched on earlier, there are certain times where you can earn extra working for Doordash than you normally would. Known as bonus periods, these get indicated on the app and vary based on where you’re located, what time of day it is, and if it’s a holiday.

Doordash calls these special times busy pay. They normally expect more customers to order during this period than there are drivers to serve them. As a consequence, dashers who drive during those times are likely to make more.

They want to encourage more drivers to come out during this time period, so they use this pay structure as a way for them to earn extra. This is a win-win for everyone since customers get their food and drivers make extra.

If you get a Busy Pay order, it’ll come up on the driver app when you’re alerted, so there’s no mistaking what it is. Take advantage of these when you can.

Learn How Tips Work for Drivers

While driving or dashing for Doordash, there’s more than one way to get a tip. While cash tips are always nice, customers can also tip directly in the Doordash delivery app.

If you bring your delivery to the customer and don’t get anything more than thanks, don’t assume they don’t appreciate your hard work or didn’t tip you. Many people don’t carry cash on them and look for alternative ways to tip servers and delivery drivers.

Also, the customer may not leave the tip in the Doordash customer app right away. If you don’t see the tip right away, check your Doordash earnings the next day.

Tips are often dependent on how quickly you bring the food to the customer, the time of day, if the order was checked for accuracy, and sometimes your personality. Gain a better understanding of what drives people to tip you, but understand that unfortunately, not everyone follows proper tipping etiquette.

People can rate drivers based on their delivery, so make sure to leave every customer with a smile and thank them for their business.

Know How Dashing Affects Your Vehicle

Because we’ve established you’ll work as an independent contractor, figure out how this impacts your car, motorcycle or bike. Some considerations to think about are:

How often you drive or deliver for Doordash
How far you’re driving or riding when you’re Dashing
The condition of the roads in your area
The weather and type of climate you live in
What kind of condition your vehicle is currently in

If you plan on making a decent portion of your money making the drive for Doordash, it’s important to learn ways to keep your maintenance costs down, and to keep track of your mileage to lower your tax bill.

Understanding Taxes and Being an Independent Contractor

If you’re used to bing an employee, you know that a certain amount gets withheld from your paycheck each week. That means you don’t have to set aside money come tax time.

When you’re working as an independent contractor for Doordash, you’ll notice taxes aren’t taken out. This sounds nice at first and can trick you into thinking you’re making more money.

Be careful, and make sure you’re setting aside part of your Doordash earnings. Setting aside money for tax time is important since you’ll likely owe taxes at the end of the year. Also, be sure to take every tax deduction you’re allowed to, including the mileage tax deduction.

Doordash Driver Tips to Help You Make the Most As A Dasher

As you get ready to embark on your journey of being a delivery driver for Doordash, you’re sure to learn a lot. No two days are ever the same, and you’ll be astounded by the variety of people you come in contact with.

Taking note of these tips makes life easier and ensures you’ll have fun while on the job. Doing so can help you walk away with more in tips and ensure your time gets spent in an effective manner.

1. Find the right times to schedule yourself. This is a cross between when people need drivers and when you have free time.

2. Even if a customer or someone in the restaurant you’re picking food up from come off as rude or unprofessional, don’t let that set the tone for your day. People have bad days, but you don’t have to let their attitude affect you.

3. Take advantage of bonus pay and working during busy hours whenever you can. This maximizes how much you’ll get paid, and you stand the chance of getting bigger tips if it’s a holiday or there’s a major event going on in your town.

4. If you’re having problems working or the company’s red card that allows you to pay for an order isn’t working, contact driver support. This ensures that there’s a record of the issue, and the problem gets solved in a quick manner.

Learn More About Working with Doordash

If you think you want to give it a shot and become a Doordash driver, there’s no time like the present to get started. Apply to Doordash today; then you can start working and getting paid on a schedule that works for you.

If you’re ready to start driving for Doordash, click the button below to start your application. In certain markets, you may be eligible for a Doordash sign up bonus guarantee.

Apply For Doordash

Doordash Dasher Tips: How to Maximize Your Income

December 4, 2018/in Blog, Doordash Drivers, Driver Advice/by Avery Baxter

Being a Doordash dasher and making food deliveries on DoorDash is a great way to make some extra cash in your spare time.

Earning potential depends on your location as well as how much you work and when you work.

If you want to maximize your earning potential, you’ll need to work efficiently and be smart about which deliveries you take on and how you complete your trips.

(Disclosure – We independently research our content to provide free advice for you. We may get compensation if you sign up with services, or purchase products through our affiliate links.)

Doordash Driver Tips For New Dashers

You’ve probably already seen the How To Dash page on Doordash (if not, go check it out). Below, we’ve put together some helpful pro tips for maximizing your Dasher income with DoorDash.

Work as efficiently as possible to maximize your delivery numbers.

At the end of the day, your earning potential rests in the number of food deliveries you take on. That’s why it’s important for you to work as efficiently as possible to maximize your order numbers and improve your potential pay.

As a Doordash dasher, the more that you can compress your delivery times, the more orders you will be able to squeeze into your shift.

One way to work more efficiently is to cut down on your drive time. Here are a few insider tips for getting to the restaurant and delivery destination as quickly as possible:

Know where you’re going. Driving in the wrong direction is a big waste of time. Make sure that you take an extra few seconds to review your route before getting in the car.
If you can’t find the restaurant, call them. If you have a hard time locating the restaurant, don’t un-claim the order. Call the restaurant and ask for cross streets.
Check traffic before you leave. Making sure that you take the fastest possible route to your destination helps you save time so you can take on more orders. Always check the traffic, and choose the less busy route.
Read customer instructions before delivery. Customers will often leave additional instructions on their order to help you locate their home faster, such as the location of their building or a gate code. Check these out before you head their way.

Another way to improve efficiency is to keep things like extra napkins, straws, and utensils in your vehicle. That way, if the restaurant does not include these items when you pick up the delivery, you can slip them in before you drop the order off at the customer’s house.

Letting the customer know that you’ve added these items is a great way to earn extra tips.

Be strategic about the orders you pick up

Another way to boost your earning potential on DoorDash is to be more strategic about the orders that you pick up.

Each time you get a DoorDash order request, the app lets you know where the restaurant is (including the distance from your current location) and what the order value is. You then have 60 seconds to accept or decline the order.

You do not have to accept every order that comes your way.

If you are more strategic about the orders you pick up, then you are able to increase your chances of maximizing earning potential during your shift. Typically, larger orders come with bigger tips and are more likely to be worth driving a further distance for.

Additionally, picking up orders that are closer to one another allows you to take on more deliveries in the same shift.

For example, you may decide that any orders under a certain order-total threshold are not worth your time unless they are in the immediate vicinity. Taking on smaller orders that are further away uses up time that you could be using to focus on larger orders that are likely to pay more.

Similarly, you may decide to only pick up orders that are in a certain mile radius from your current location. That means you won’t have to drive too far to complete the order, which takes time away from the rest of your shift.

That said, it’s important to note that, if you don’t accept an order, there is no guarantee that the next order that comes your way will be bigger or closer. Similarly, not every large order will lead to a big tip. You could end up spending a significant amount of time picking up and delivering a large and difficult food order only to walk away with no tip at all.

Join Doordash

Dash during the busiest hours for higher earning potential

Another way to maximize your earning potential is by dashing during the heaviest order times of the day and the most busy delivery days of the week. Though the busiest order days and times will depend on your particular location, there are patterns in nearly every area:

Weekend nights tend to be the busiest and most lucrative delivery times.
The sweet spot for lunch deliveries is between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on weekdays.
The dinner rush takes place during anywhere from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the week.
Breakfast time is less busy for DoorDash deliveries and may not be worth your time.

The only way to know for sure when the busy hours and days are for your location is to experiment a little. Try picking deliveries during different times of the day and days of the week to see when the greatest demand is in your area.

Not only will there be the potential for more orders (and tips), but you will be able to make more money per hour as you won’t have to wait and waste time between order requests.

In addition to the standard Doordash dasher busy times when people are likely to order, you should also take into account the weather when choosing your DoorDash shifts. People are more likely to order food to be delivered when it’s raining or snowing out.

Picking up deliveries during poor weather periods is a great way to earn big tips since most customers will be happy to have a convenient way to get their food.

Another thing to mention is that DoorDash provides incentives for dashers who make deliveries during the busiest times of the day, typically during the lunch and dinner rushes. Known as “Busy Pay,” this incentive will vary depending on demand in your area. However, you will be able to see the amount before you accept the delivery.

Check to make sure the order is right before you leave the restaurant

The amount of earning potential for DoorDash dashers is not just a matter of how many deliveries they can take on.

Tips also play an important part in how much DoorDash drivers can earn in a typical shift.

For this reason, it’s important to make sure that the order is correct and complete before you make the delivery to the customer. Even though it may technically be the fault of a restaurant that an order is incorrect, the customer may take it out on you by not giving you a tip.

Checking to ensure that the order is correct does take some extra time. However, it’s worth it in the end when you are able to provide a satisfying experience for the customer, especially if they decide to reward you with a larger tip.

To save time in making sure the order is right, you can review the order on the app before you enter the restaurant. That way, you can quickly scan the order in the restaurant to ensure that everything is there.

If you find that something is missing in the order, you can then request it from the restaurant before heading to the delivery location. Veteran dashers know that restaurants often forget to include drinks with the order.

Always check the app to see if any drinks were ordered so that you can ensure that the drinks make it to the customer.

Bonus Tip: Refer other Doordash dashers to earn extra cash

As a bonus tip, another easy way to make money through DoorDash is by referring new drivers. DoorDash makes it easy for drivers to refer others to the company, allowing both the referring Dasher and the referred Dasher to benefit from special bonuses. The DoorDash referral bonus amounts vary by location and tend to change depending on the market in the area. To see the referral rates for your area, check out your local DoorDash city page.

You can refer new Dashers through text message, email, Facebook (and Facebook Messenger), and Twitter. In order to get credit for a referral, you’ll need to make sure that the new Dasher has included your phone number on the sign up page under the “Referrer Phone #” field. These referral bonuses are then added to your weekly pay once the referred Dasher completes a certain number of deliveries within their first 30 days.

Join Doordash

Restaurant Owners: How to Become a DoorDash Partner Merchant

November 26, 2018/in Blog/by Don M.

As a restaurant owner, you’re always on the lookout for ways to reach new customers. Listing your restaurant on food delivery service apps like DoorDash can help you expand to new areas.

But it also allows you to improve the customer experience by offering convenient ways for people in the area to get your food delivered right to their door.

While just being listed on the app comes with its own benefits, there are also added perks involved with becoming an official DoorDash partner. The best part is that becoming a DoorDash partner is easy!

In just a few simple steps, you can be on your way to being listed on DoorDash.

Below, we’ve put together a guide with everything you need to know about becoming a DoorDash partner.

Benefits of Becoming a DoorDash Partner for Restaurant Owners

There are many perks that come along with being a DoorDash partner. Here are just a few ways restaurant owners can benefit from this partnership:

Bring in more customers. The DoorDash app and site puts your brand and menu in front of everyone in the area, allowing you to attract new customers.
Provide a better customer experience. Offering a delivery option makes it more convenient for your customers to order from you.
Work with what you have. DoorDash allows you to send orders through fax, computer, or tablet – whatever you have in place.
Spend more time on core tasks. DoorDash takes care of all the logistics and before, during, and after customer delivery so you are free to focus on what matters.
Get insights into your customers. With the DoorDash merchant portal, you gain access to vital data about your customers, which you can use to adjust your marketing strategy.

Becoming a DoorDash Partner: What Restaurant Owners Need to Know

While partnering with a food delivery service does come with a cost to restaurant owners, it can also be an important marketing tool to help you grow your business.

To decide if this partnership is right for you, consider the costs involved and decide whether or not these outweigh the benefits for your business.

There are also some ways to offset these costs and get more out of your DoorDash partnership.

By taking advantage of all the benefits and adjusting your pricing, your restaurant can achieve a positive return on investment from partnering with DoorDash for food delivery services.

How It Works

Once you sign up with DoorDash as a partner, you will be given access to the DoorDash Merchant Portal, which you can use to manage orders and track customer data. Once you are set up here, you can start taking orders through DoorDash.

Customers will place orders through the app, which you will then receive in whatever format works best for you (email, fax, or the order manager app).

Customers pay for the order through DoorDash, which will disperse payment to the restaurant on a weekly basis after deducting fees. All of the orders are prepaid through the app, which means that the Doordash delivery drivers (or Dashers) picking up the orders and delivering to the customer will not be paying in-person.

Customers have the option to choose between two types of orders – ASAP and Scheduled.

Every order will have a designated pickup time when you can expect the Dasher to arrive at your restaurant to pick up the order.

ASAP orders are usually scheduled for pickup within 20 minutes after the order is placed, while scheduled orders can be a few hours or a few days in advance.

What It Costs

There are some fees associated with becoming a DoorDash partner. Here are the expenses you may incur as a partner restaurant:

Commission: The commission rate is negotiable and may fluctuate between restaurants. However, DoorDash typically charges a 20 percent commission fee for its services.
Sales Tax: Sales tax will vary by state.
Tablet Fee: This is an optional fee you may incur if you sign up for the DoorDash tablet subscription. The $15 per week gives you access to the Order Manager tablet app, which helps you streamline operations for managing DoorDash orders.
Error Charges: These charges may vary and occur whenever there is an issue with a customer order, such as the wrong item or a missing item.

Doordash Restaurant Partner Deliveries Dashboard

In addition to these fees, also consider that restaurants experience a gap between when the sales are made and when they receive the cash. DoorDash collects sales revenue from its customers immediately.

Then, they pay partner restaurants on a weekly basis through direct deposits after they have deducted all expenses.

How to Make the Most Out of DoorDash

With the DoorDash process and fees in mind, here are some ways you can make the most out of your DoorDash partnership:

1. Change pricing for DoorDash orders.

To offset some of the fees of being a DoorDash partner, most restaurants change their pricing for DoorDash orders.

This allows the customer to absorb some of the costs of this delivery service. Many customers are willing to pay extra for the convenience of getting quality meals delivered right to their door. By adjusting your pricing for DoorDash orders, your restaurant can offset many of the costs that come with signing up to be a Doordash partner

2. Consider using a tablet to manage orders.

Though using a tablet does come with some additional fees, it is well worth it for restaurants to consider this option from an operational perspective.

Using a tablet and the Order Manager App is a simple and effective way to receive and confirm DoorDash orders while also successfully managing inventory and updating menu items.

Doordash Customer Order Screen

A tablet helps make the process more streamlined, which allows your business the opportunity to benefit from an increased return on investment. Not to mention, the more streamlined you make the process, the less likely you will be to make mistakes. This helps you minimize errors while keeping your customers happy.

3. Make sure your staff is aware of the DoorDash process.

If you want to get the most out of DoorDash, make sure that the staff handling these orders are trained on the entire process.

You can set up and modify roles for employees in the Doordash Merchant Portal. That way, employees at all levels can carry out actions that match their roles.

Doordash Merchant Account Types

Whether you use the Order Manager app to manage DoorDash orders or you are receiving your orders through email, your staff needs to be kept up-to-date on the right way to manage and prepare DoorDash orders as well as how to update inventory and menu items in the app.

4. Optimize your menu for DoorDash.

If you want to increase your average order on DoorDash, keep your menu optimized on the app. Start by using quality photos that show each menu item accurately. You can also add menu modifiers that allow customers to increase their order when selecting an entrée. For instance, you can give customers the option of adding a dessert or side to their entrée with an upcharge.

You can also add categories to your menu to make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for. In addition, you can include a catering menu or bundled package menu options for larger orders such as “Family Meal” or “Dinner for Two.” This makes it easier for customers to order more.

How to Become a DoorDash Partner

Now that you know why being a DoorDash partner can benefit your restaurant’s bottom line, let’s talk about how to become a DoorDash partner. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

Doordash Merchant Sign Up

1. Apply online.

To apply to be a DoorDash partner, visit the DoorDash merchant application to submit a quick form. The form will ask for your store name, address, full name, mobile phone number, and email address.

2. DoorDash will reach out.

Once the sales team receives the application, they will quickly review it and reach out to you. Your representative will then ask for additional information that they might need to list your site on the DoorDash app.

3. Start getting orders.

Once you are listed on DoorDash, you can start receiving orders from the app’s customers. This can happen within the week, so the sooner you sign up, the sooner you can get started.

And it’s as simple as that! Once you are an official DoorDash restaurant partner, you can start receiving orders and reap the full benefits of reaching new diners and offering more convenient options for your customers.

Common Doordash Driver Questions

November 20, 2018/in Blog, Doordash Drivers, Driver Advice/by Hannah

What Is DoorDash, Exactly? How Does It Work?

(Disclosure – We independently research our content to provide free advice for you. We may get compensation if you sign up with services, or purchase products through our affiliate links.)

If you’ve ever wanted to pick up food from your favorite restaurant but found yourself frustrated that they didn’t deliver, apps like DoorDash are a match made in heaven for you. Available on iOS and Android, DoorDash is a third-party delivery service that connects its users with restaurants in and around their area.

The app is designed to determine both delivery time and delivery distance for its fleet of drivers. Doordash developers continually work to more accurately predict how long each of the restaurants it works with will take to prepare food and how long it will take the driver to arrive at their address.

It also uses these predictive services to determine the maximum delivery radius for a particular restaurant; this varies by location, however.

DoorDash distinguishes itself from other delivery services like Caviar and Amazon Flex in a few ways.

First and foremost, it’s not solely open to people who own a car. Cyclists are also able to sign up for the delivery service. It also features Group Ordering, which allows multiple DoorDash users to collaborate with one another on a single order, splitting the check and keeping all their orders to a single delivery driver.

If you want to try ordering through Doordash, use our promo code and get a few bucks off your first delivery by clicking the button below.

Try Doordash!

How Does DoorDash Make Money?

Like most delivery services, DoorDash adds a small premium to each delivery order. Though it varies by restaurant, city, and delivery distance, this fee is usually somewhere between $3 and $7. It also has a few sources of revenue aside from this service fee.

Participating restaurants must generally pay a commission (usually around 20%) on orders delivered by DoorDash’s drivers. Though this may seem somewhat steep, it’s worth remembering that this is business those restaurants might not otherwise enjoy.

Doordash Restaurant Partner Deliveries Dashboard

Aside from commission, DoorDash also charges restaurants for marketing and advertising through the app. Like on yelp, a business owner can choose to pay a fee to move itself to the top of the list of restaurants.

How Much Do DoorDash Drivers Make?

The short answer is that ‘it depends.’ When DoorDash first launched, Dashers, as delivery-people are known, were paid a flat rate per order, plus whatever they received as a tip. More recently, DoorDash has changed to a more flexible, scaling payment model.

For each delivery, a Dasher makes a certain amount, plus their tip, along with what’s known as a “pay boost.” This boost accounts for various factors, including delivery distance, order size, and traffic.

Rates are also subject to the city in which you operate – as you might expect, larger cities mean better pay. Generally speaking, this averages out to an hourly rate of between $14 and $20. Hourly rates can be higher in certain markets during busy hours. Click here to see the rates in your Doordash market.

That said, it’s also important to consider additional costs that might crop up for you as a Dasher. First, it’s important to remember that you’re a contractor, not a full-time employee – that means taxes are entirely your responsibility, and ignoring them can be quite costly.

Other costs you’ll want to consider are gas and insurance.

Does The DoorDash Delivery Fee Go To The Driver?

Generally, no. The delivery fee is part of DoorDash’s revenue stream. As already described, Dashers receive a pay boost, though Door Dash is somewhat mum on the specifics of where the money is drawn from.

How Do I Become a DoorDash Driver?

To work with DoorDash, you need to be eighteen years of age or older, own an iPhone or Android device, and be willing to volunteer your social security number and submit to a background check.

Unlike many other delivery services, DoorDash does not require its employees to own a car, and no vehicle inspection is required.

What’s Required To Become A DoorDash Driver?

Depending on where a Dasher is located, they may be able to use a motorcycle, bicycle, or scooter. In some scenarios, they may even be able to deliver on foot. DoorDash provides more information about the different vehicle types in each market on their website.

Note that you will be required to have an auto insurance policy, and DoorDash also provides its own commercial auto insurance policy covering up to $1,000,000 in bodily injury or property damage from accidents while on active delivery.

How Do I Start Delivering For DoorDash?

To sign up to become a DoorDash driver, simply click the button below to start your application.

Join Doordash

How Do I Complete A Delivery Through DoorDash?

Generally speaking, there are two ways to deliver through the DoorDash app. The first is known as scheduled delivery. Though the interface is slightly different depending on your operating system, the basic steps remain the same between both iOS and Android.

First, open up your menu, and click on “Schedule.” On this page, you can see all available dashes and can sign up for whichever happen to catch your attention.

Doordash Driver Schedule

Once you’ve signed up for a Dash, you’ll see it at the bottom of your app’s homepage.

You can also Dash without using the Schedule. Open up the DoorDash map, and press “Dash Now.” Before hitting “Dash,” be sure to look at your map; if the area you’re in is gray or yellow, DoorDash does not require more dashers. If, on the other hand, it’s pink or red, that means more dashers are required.

Doordash - Dash Now

Note that during breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there will almost always be work available for you. You can learn more by watching this video.

How Do I Get Paid Through DoorDash?

Configuring your payment information in DoorDash is relatively simple. From your smartphone, launch the Dasher app and navigate to the Earnings tab.

In the top right corner of your screen, you’ll see a red bank symbol – click on it, and fill out the following information:

The name on the bank account you want to use
Your Social Security Number
Your bank’s routing number – you can generally find this by contacting your branch.
Your bank’s account number. This can be found on a check, or through online banking.

From here, just tap Submit Bank Details. Verify that the information you’ve entered is correct, and you should be good to go.

Doordash Driver - Setup Bank Information

Doordash Driver - Add Bank Info

Once you’ve made 25 deliveries and worked with DoorDash for two weeks, you’ll have access to a service known as Fast Pay. This allows you to cash out your earnings daily for a withdrawal fee of $1.99. To configure Fast Pay, navigate to the Earnings section of your app, and click on “Use Fast Pay.”

This will immediately transfer your earnings to the debit card you’ve configured with your account.

How Does the DoorDash Rating System Work?

DoorDash rates its employees (known as Dashers) based on three categories, each averaged from your 100 most recent deliveries. Each DoorDash market has a different minimum score for each of these ratings. Check on the DoorDash website to determine what the minimum is where you work.

Customer Rating is essentially what it sounds like. When a customer receives an order through DoorDash, they rate both the driver and the restaurant separately, giving each a score between one and five stars. The rating is only applied once it has been received, so a Dasher may see their overall score change long after they’ve completed a delivery.

If your Customer Rating drops too low, you may be removed as a Dasher.

Acceptance Rate measures how often you accept delivery opportunities you receive. When a delivery is assigned to you by DoorDash, it’s because you’re the best choice for the job. Consistently declining such orders leads to a low Acceptance Rate.

As with customer rating, if this gets too low, it can potentially impact your access to the platform.

Completion Rate is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the number of deliveries you have completed, divided by the number of deliveries you’ve accepted. Canceled orders count as completed deliveries for the purposes of this statistic.

Not surprisingly, it’s somewhat difficult to lower your completion rate. The only way to really do it is by removing yourself from a delivery after accepting it. It’s generally expected that you’ll cancel a delivery every now and then, so you needn’t stress too much if you need to ditch a job because of an emergency.

Acceptance Rate and Completion Rate are fairly easy to control. Accept the majority of the deliveries that come your way, and don’t cancel jobs once you’ve picked them up. Customer Rating can be a bit trickier.

To keep your customers happy and get your rating up, the most important thing is communication. Be friendly and personable, and always serve people with a smile. You might also consider texting your customers when you’re on the way – keep them up-to-date about where you are and what you’re doing.

Avoid accepting orders that are already late, and where possible, avoid contacting customers to ask for directions or further instructions on where to deliver their food. But most importantly, understand that sometimes, you’re going to get a low rating. Some people will be unpleasant to you through no fault of your own.

Don’t stress about that – as long as you’re pleasant, quick, and capable, you’ll be just fine.

Join Doordash

Lyft Hires, Uber Elects, and Microsoft Grabs – This Week In On Demand

October 12, 2018/in Blog/by Jane T

This Week In On Demand — Oct. 12, 2018

It’s been a busy week for on-demand industries. From employee switch-ups to new partnerships, here’s what you need to know about your favorite side-hustle companies.

Lyft Hires New CMO & Policy Chief

On Monday, Lyft announced Joy Howard is joining their C-suite as CMO. Howard, who previously worked with Sonos and Patagonia, is replacing Melissa Waters. However, Howard’s introduction wasn’t the only team change this week, as it was announced on Tuesday that Anthony Foxx is also joining the company. Does that name sound familiar? The new Chief Policy Officer was once mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, and more recently, the U.S. Transporation Secretary under former President Barack Obama.

These changes come a few weeks after Lyft hit one billion rides. The rideshare company also began building its IPO team over the past few months as they plan to hit the market next year. With such monumental changes on the horizon, it’s possible we’ll see a few more C-suite hires over the upcoming months.

Uber Is Hitting the Election Polls

Uber has decided that it’s ready to take part in the mid-term elections this November. The rideshare company announced the past week that they’re partnering with Vote Together and Democracy Works to provide free rides across the country on Election Day, November 6th. They’re also working with When We All Vote to help both drivers and passengers register to vote in the run-up to the election.

The decision comes more than a month after Lyft announced their own Election Day program. However, the competitor is only offering free rides through partners in underprivileged areas of the country, and the rest of the locations can apply a 50% off promo code. Uber’s choice to offer free rides and not just reduced rates ensures they win the PR award for this round, which is much needed after the last few years of poor publicity.

Grab Scores Microsoft Investment

Southeast Asian rideshare powerhouse, Grab, has snagged a new investor in Microsoft. The five year deal, for an undisclosed amount, will have Grab implement Microsoft Azure, the company’s cloud offering. Together, the two businesses hope to use machine learning and AI technologies to improve and enhance the on demand transportation experience.

Microsoft joins a long-list of Grab investors. In June 2018, Toyota — who’s also invested in Uber — pumped $1 billion into Grab. Grab is also backed by Vertex Venture Holdings, Tiger Global, and SoftBank. The Singapore-based company’s worth is currently estimated to be over $10 billion. While they’re only currently serving Southeast Asia markets, the backing of such large international companies means the on-demand company is likely to move into other markets in the near future.

Airbnb Hits a Roadblock in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the city where just about anything goes, except for (apparently) peer-to-peer property rentals. The Las Vegas planning commission voted on Tuesday to take the first step towards banning services, like Airbnb, from the city. Now, the issue must be decided by the city council before the new regulations go into effect.

Clark County, Nevada — where Las Vegas is located — already has regulations in place for Airbnb hosts, which includes requiring property owners to get a permit. However, until now, Las Vegas allowed homeowners to rent out their spaces without any sort of registration or licensing. If the new law is passed, only property owners who already have the correct permits will be allowed to host short-term renters.

DoorDash Announces New Partnership With Bringg

DoorDash and Bringg announced a new partnership on Wednesday. While DoorDash is known for its on-demand food delivery options, Bringg specialty is in-house delivery ordering. The new collaboration allows Bringg’s current customers to access DoorDash drivers for customer deliveries in the area.

DoorDash already offers an impressively large North American market with operations in over 1,000 cities. Partnering with Bringg is a step in the right direction to further grow their coverage areas. The move also allows DoorDash to expand earnings in their current markets as they’ll have the opportunity to work with customers who would otherwise forgo the on-demand delivery platform and go straight to the restaurant.

Waymo Hits the 10-Million-Mile Mark

This past Wednesday, Waymo announced it hit 10 million miles of testing their self-driving vehicles on public roads nationwide. After continued success in public testing trials, Waymo expects to have more self-driving minivans available for public use before the end of the year.

Right now approximately 400 riders are using auto vehicle services in the Pheonix metropolitan area. While Waymo’s robotaxi debut will be limited to the Pheonix area at first, this puts them at the forefront of the autonomous vehicle game.

Now, you’re all caught up! What do you think about Lyft’s evolving team? How about the Vegas pushback against Airbnb? Let us know in the comments!

Best Side Hustles For College Students

September 28, 2018/in Blog, Driver Advice/by Hannah

Even with student loans, scholarships, and grants, most of us have to work at least part-time during college to survive. With overloaded class and study schedules, it’s incredibly hard to find a job to accommodate the average student’s needs. Fortunately, there are a variety of non-traditional options available.

More than anything, college students need flexibility. This quality is the basis of three popular types of side hustles, including:

Rideshare driving
Delivery driving
Electric scooter charger

Take a closer look at each of these categories and the most popular companies to work with.

Rideshare Driver

Becoming a rideshare driver is an excellent way to earn extra cash. For this job, you can simply sign up with a company like Uber or Lyft, and provide rides to people within your community for a fee. A perk of this side hustle is the ability to earn tips. However, there are some requirements that drivers need to meet.

Here’s a closer look at each of the top two companies’ minimum qualifications:

Lyft Driver Requirements

You need to be at least 21 years old.
All Lyft applicants need to have their driver’s license for at least one year.
You need clean DMV and criminal records.
Lyft drivers need to utilize a 2003 vehicle or newer, with four doors and proof of insurance.

For more information about your specfic market, see our page on Lyft car requirements.

Lyft currently offers sign up bonuses or sign up earnings guarantees in most markets.

Looking For The Best Rideshare Company To Sign Up With?

With Lyft, you can sign up to drive even if you don’t have a car!

Lyft Sign Up Bonus

Pros and Cons of Rideshare Driving for Students

The earning potential of a rideshare driver is only limited by how much you want to work, which is why it’s so appealing. However, drivers have to pinpoint the best locations and time frames to earn big.

The age and vehicle restrictions are two of the biggest issues for college students. The 21-year-old minimum age requirement knocks out around half of the student population.

The vehicle standards are also a struggle because most students can’t afford to upgrade their cars or rent a new one. However, there are a variety of rental options now available.

Even so, rideshare probably isn’t going to be an option for younger students. However, older individuals or non-traditional students may find Uber and Lyft match their needs perfectly.

Delivery Driver

If you don’t meet the requirements to become an Uber or Lyft driver, you can still earn money on the go. Delivery services like Doordash, Caviar, and Instacart, have popped up left and right over the last few years. In everything from food to retail, shoppers want convenience. Luckily for you, this opens up a world of opportunity to make money during your free time.

Unlike driving rideshare, the on-demand delivery industry covers a variety of styles and specialties. Here’s a quick breakdown of each delivery option as well as the various requirements of each:

Doordash

Doordash is incredibly popular food delivery service, available in 1800 markets. When you want to grab some extra cash, you simply sign into the app, wait for an order to come your way, and then make the delivery. Doordash driver requirements include:

You must be at least 18 years old.
You need a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle.
You also need to pass a background check.

The company doesn’t place any age restrictions on vehicles, which is a bonus for students. Depending on the market, Doordash allows you to deliver using a motorcycle, scooter, bike, or even by foot. The minimum age also opens up the service to the majority of people.

Doordash does offer sign up bonuses or guarantees in some markets.

Drive For Doordash

Uber Eats

Uber Eats is a food delivery service. Unlike with its affiliated rideshare service, Uber Eats drivers don’t have to meet very strict qualifications. The delivery service’s criteria include:

Applicants need a reliable car, scooter, or bicycle at their disposal.
Must be at least 18 years old, and car drivers need to be 19.
Delivery drivers must have the ability to lift at least 30 pounds.

As a driver for this company, you pick up orders at local restaurants and deliver them to the correct address. It’s actually as simple as it sounds.

Caviar

Caviar, owned by the popular payment company Square, is similar to Uber Eats and Postmates, but there are some differences. While the company focuses on food delivery, they have different requirements. Caviar Couriers need to have the following qualifications:

You need to be at least 18 years old.
Couriers need to pass a background check.
You need a reliable vehicle, such as a car, truck, bicycle, or scooter.
Some markets require at least one year of delivery driver experience.

The biggest difference with Caviar is the experience requirement. While it’s not included in every area and the company has loosened the requirement recently, it does prevent some individuals from qualifying. However, Caviar Couriers tend to make more than their Postmates and Uber Eats counterparts, so it balances out.

For more information, check out our Caviar Driver Guide, or click the button below to start your application.

Caviar offers sign up bonuses up bonuses in many markets.

Join Caviar

Instacart

Instead of restaurant delivery, Instacart focuses on grocery delivery. Instacart Shoppers are paid to fill and/or deliver grocery orders to residents in the community. If you love grocery shopping already, then this position is perfect for you.

You need to meet the following criteria to qualify as a Courier:

Be at least 18 years old (21 in some areas).
Have the ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
Pass a background check.
Pass online food safety tests.

You don’t necessarily need to have a vehicle to become an Instacart Shopper. In-store shoppers simply put together the groceries, and the customer comes and picks their order up. If you do have an available vehicle, you can work as a full-service shopper and deliver the goods as well.

Join Instacart

Deliv

Deliv is different from the other delivery services in this article. While drivers can deliver produce and groceries, the delivery orders are placed by businesses instead of customers. Whenever a local business needs to get an order out pronto, they’ll utilize Deliv drivers to pick up and drop off the products.

To become a Deliv driver, you need to:

Be 18 years or older
Pass criminal and DMV background checks
Have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds
Have access to a vehicle that’s 20 years old or newer.

As a Deliv driver, you operate similarly to a FedEx or UPS driver. Yet, your deliveries are all local. You also sign up for three-hour shifts ahead of time, and during your shift, you get paid per mile and for your time. Known as a block rate, Deliv sets hourly rates for their drivers. If there aren’t any deliveries schedule during your shift, the company still pays you 50% of the block rate for your time.

Join Deliv

Pros and Cons of Delivery Driving for Students

Driving delivery for Instacart or Doordash offers more flexibility in terms of age and vehicle requirements than driving rideshare for Uber or Lyft.

The variety of options also ensures that each person has the opportunity to qualify for at least one company. As a result, there aren’t really any downsides to becoming a delivery driver as a student.

Scooter Charging

Electric scooters and bikes are showing up in cities all over the country, but they’re particularly popular around college campuses. While they’re fun to ride, they offer a money-making opportunity as well. Every scooter runs on a battery, and these batteries need charging nightly. As a result, you can partner with the most popular scooter rental companies to get paid for charging their equipment.

The service is fairly simple. Chargers utilize the app to locate scooters in their vicinity. After picking up the scooters, you take them home to charge them overnight. In the morning, you drop them off at the locations highlighted by the in-app map. The two most popular companies are Lime and Bird.

Lime Juicers

Formerly known as Lime Bike, Lime offers both electric scooters and bicycles, but the Lime-S scooter (seen below) is the most popular.

Their charging fleet, known as Juicers, are paid for each scooter they charge overnight. Typically, you can earn around $5 per charge.

Join Lime

Bird Chargers

Unlike Lime, Bird specializes solely in electric scooters, but their chargers are simply called “chargers.” As with Lime, Bird chargers are likely to make around $5 per charge. They also require that each person charges a minimum of three Birds daily.

Join Bird

Pros and Cons of Scooter Charging for Students

Scooter charging is ideal for many college students. Essentially, you spend around 30 minutes to one hour every day picking up and dropping off scooters. Such a small time commitment is perfect for a busy student. Plus, it won’t interfere with any other part-time gigs that you have planned. These qualities make this side hustle a top recommendation for students.

The one downside of scooter charging is that both Lime and Bird require applicants to own a vehicle. So, you can’t simply walk the scooters to and from your residence. If you live in traditional student housing, you could face other issues as well. Many dorms and student-only communities won’t welcome the additional electricity usage that charging requires. Be sure to check with your facility about applicable restrictions before you opt for this route.

Start Making Money With a Student-Friendly Side Hustle Today

Surviving financially as a student isn’t easy, but a little hard work and creative thinking will get you a long way. Ready to take on a new side hustle? Get the most out of your experience by utilizing our promo codes. From Lyft and Uber to Postmates and Caviar, our referral codes can help you earn more from the start.

What Type Of Vehicle Is Best For Delivery Drivers?

September 26, 2018/in Blog, Driver Advice/by Hannah

What’s the Best Style of Vehicle for Food Delivery Drivers?

Food delivery has become a staple in the on-demand industry, with companies like Doordash, Caviar, and Postmates leading the way.

To keep up with the increasing number of customers, more drivers are hitting the streets. Unlike rideshare however, food delivery drivers have a wider range of vehicle choices available to them. But, how do you figure out which one is right for you?

In this guide, we’ll take a closer at the vehicle options for food delivery as well as the requirements of the top delivery services. Keep reading to figure out the best style for your needs.

The Most Common Types of Food Delivery Vehicles

When making your vehicle decision, you need to consider a variety of factors. These items include the layout of your city and the service area. For instance, while a 5-mile ride on a bike isn’t too bad, pedaling for 10 or 15 miles in one direction might be too overwhelming. Consider these factors as you learn about each option.

The most common types of food delivery vehicle fall into four categories:

Car
Bike
Moped or motorcycle
Electric Scooter

Car, Truck, or SUV

Cars, trucks, and SUVs are all acceptable options for food delivery. Even two-seater options provide plenty of room to safely store and transport food. The benefit of a cabin also means you won’t be constantly exposed to the elements, like wind and rain.

However, delivery drivers put a lot of miles on their vehicle. As a result, you should expect to take fuel, maintenance, and repair costs out of your delivery earnings.

The bonus of a using a car is that you can handle larger orders. This can come in handy for large corporate orders you may get driving for Caviar or Doordash, or larger grocery store orders that you may get on Instacart.

Bicycle

A traditional bicycle is a popular choice for many delivery drivers. While this type of vehicle still has to follow the rules of the road, it makes getting through busy areas easier. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the time it takes to find car parking for pick-ups and delivery.

Since electric bicycles are becoming more readily available, they’re becoming a common choice for many couriers as well. With the boost of electric power, you have the ability to reduce your travel time and make more deliveries.

Moped or Motorcycle

Mopeds are a fantastic vehicle for food delivery, and the second most popular choice for delivery drivers, behind cars. They’re usually more comfortable and roomier than bicycles. They’re also easy to attach a food satchel, which keeps food warm or cool and out of the sun. Most mopeds run on batteries and require little upkeep, so you won’t have to pay for fuel and or high maintenance costs.

Actual motorcycles typically have larger engines and higher speed capabilities than mopeds. With this option, you can make better time by taking highways and interstates. However, there are also driver restrictions, like licensing and insurance.

Electric Scooters

Old-school, two-wheel, scooters have made a comeback in recent years, with one difference. They’re now electric. As a result, they’ve also become a popular transportation choice for delivery drivers. The biggest perk of using an electric scooter is the size. Not only are they incredibly lightweight, but many models fold up as well. These qualities help make deliveries more convenient, as drivers are able to take their vehicle into restaurants, on elevators, and right up to customers’ doors. The most popular model is the GOTRAX GXL.

Buy On Amazon

Food Delivery Company Restrictions & Qualifications

Aside from your personal preferences, you also need to consider the company you want to partner with. Many people choose to work with multiple food delivery services so they have plenty of money-making opportunities. Regardless of the number of companies you partner with, it’s important that you choose a vehicle that matches each service’s requirements.

Here’s a look at the top options. All of these options offer a sign up bonus or guarantee in most markets. To be eligible, simply click one of the “Join” buttons below to start your application.

DoorDash Vehicle Requirements

DoorDash is one of the most popular food delivery services and currently operates in nearly 2,000 markets. The company accepts Dasher applicants with any style and age of the car, whether it’s a two- or four-door model. This specification also includes trucks and SUVs. However, in some markets, DoorDash also allows drivers to use bicycles, electric scooters, and motorcycles. In a few select markets, you can even complete deliveries on foot. Check your market for specifics.

Join Doordash

Caviar Vehicle Requirements

Caviar is another top food delivery service, specializing in higher end restaurants. Caviar offers a wide range of vehicle options. Couriers can utilize traditional four- or two-wheel vehicles, including bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles. For cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles, the vehicle needs official registration and the minimum insurance coverage required by your state. Like DoorDash, Caviar only delivers food orders, so any of the vehicle options are likely to work well.

Join Caviar

Postmates Vehicle Requirements

Postmates drivers often provide food delivery, but their services also include delivery of products from other types of local businesses. The company allows the full spectrum of vehicles in its fleet, from cars and trucks to bicycles and mopeds. But, you also have the option to ride electric variations of scooters and bicycles.

Postmates has also now started offering a vehicle assistance program to their delivery drivers. Instead of car rentals, like many rideshare companies, members of their fleet have the option to rent an electric scooter or bicycle from GenZe. Currently, this program is only offered in select markets.

While many customers utilize Postmates for food delivery, you’re likely to end up also delivering things like office supplies. The wider market is great for business because it provides more delivery opportunities. However, the potential weight of non-food orders may make delivery on a traditional bicycle or scooter a struggle. As a result, it’s best to utilize a car or electric two-wheel mode of transportation for Postmates.

Join Postmates

Uber Eats Vehicle Requirements

Uber Eats is Uber’s food delivery service. In the majority of cities, the company allows drivers to utilize cars as well as bicycles and mopeds. However, each style has its own requirements.

Uber Eats Car Requirements

Vehicle 20 years old or newer.
Driver must be at least 19 years old.

Uber Eats Bicycle Requirements

Riders 18 years and older accepted.

Uber Eats Scooter Requirements

Rider needs to be at least 19 years old.
No three- or four-wheel models accepted.
Maximum speeds of 30 mph.
Motor needs to be 50cc or less.

Uber designed their food delivery service to allow its rideshare drivers to participate in between services. As a result, Uber drivers can accept delivery and ride requests at the same time. However, if you would like to make money from both services, you’ll need to utilize a car or SUV that meets the stricter Uber rideshare requirements.

Join UberEats

Which Style of Food Delivery Vehicle Is Right for You?

Choosing the right vehicle style involves considering a variety of factors. However, most of the companies allow drivers to switch vehicles. So, if you start with a car and want to move to a moped, it shouldn’t be a big issue. If you’re interested in learning more about individual delivery services, check out our pages on being a Doordash or Caviar driver.

Uber Eats Driver Guide: Sign Up As An Uber Delivery Driver

August 13, 2018/in Blog, Uber Drivers/by Don M.

[toc]

Last updated: [last-modified]

(Disclosure – We independently research our content to provide free advice for you. We may get compensation if you sign up with services, or purchase products through our affiliate links.)

Uber is no longer just a rideshare service. In August 2014, the rideshare giant launched a food delivery service to compete with Postmates. It was first called Uber Fresh, and then quickly rebranded UberEats. I was an original Uber Eats driver for the pilot program.

At that time, customers were only offered pre-made meals that drivers would pick up at distribution points. Each day (at lunch and dinner time only) there would be a set menu from a few restaurants.

Since then, the company has shifted to a model where an UberEats driver picks up customers’ orders from restaurants (often those without a delivery service) and deliver them for a fee. They also made the name two words, Uber Eats instead of UberEats.

Expanding rapidly, Uber Eats (sometimes called Uber delivery) is now available in over 300 cities around the world. If you’re interested in earning extra cash by becoming an Uber Eats driver and you’d like to know how it works, here’s everything you need to know.

Sign Up To Drive For Uber Eats With An Uber Promo Code

If you sign up to be an Uber delivery driver using a promo code, you could be eligible for an earnings guarantee of up to $2800. Guarantee amount is determined by city.

Uber Eats Driver Promo Code

i9tz1

To begin your application with our Uber promo code (i9tz1), and secure your guarantee, simply click the button below. Or read on for more information about the Uber Eats application, Uber delivery pay, and Uber Eats vehicle and driver requirements.

Drive For Uber Eats

Current Uber Drivers: How To Opt-In To Uber Eats

If you’re already a current driver for Uber, all you’ll need to do to start delivering is opt-in to Uber Eats. Simply go to your Uber Driver app and, in the home screen, scroll down to the message that reads “Get More Requests by Upgrading to Delivery.” Then, click on “Yes! I want to do delivery” and follow the subsequent prompts to add Uber Eats to your profile.

If you don’t see the message, or you run into problems activating your delivery account, contact Uber Support and ask for Uber Eats to be added to your profile. You can also opt in by going to partners.uber.com, clicking deliveries, and activating Uber Eats on your account.

How Does Uber Eats Work?

As a driver for Uber Eats, you will receive a request for a delivery much like you would for an Uber ride. The delivery job will pop up on your screen, and you tap the screen to accept the job.

Then, you’ll see information about the pickup location and order. This will allow you to see the order’s contents along with the customer’s name and order number, which you will give to the restaurant employees.

You’ll click navigate for directions and drive to the restaurant to pick up the order.

drive for uber eats - ubereats driver pickup

Once you’ve picked up the food, you deliver it to the customer.

Uber delivery - uber eats driver delivery drop off

Payments are handled within the app, so you will not need to deal with any money. You are then paid for the delivery service.

Depending on the city you are in and the order you are delivering, you may need to get out of your car to complete the delivery. Check your app to see if you’re making a curbside delivery or a walk-in drop-off.

In a curbside delivery, the customer will get a text indicating that you’ve arrived, and you can also call them to be sure they know their food is there. Then, you’ll wait for them to come down so you can hand them their food through the window. A walk-in drop-off means you’ll need to meet them at their door with their food, calling them if you have any problem finding the address.

Uber has also put together a great Uber delivery driver guide and a list of great Uber Eats driver tips. These guides and the info on this page should come in handy as you get started.

Driving Uber Eats and UberX at the same time

Since Uber Eats’ parent organization is Uber, you’ll also have the opportunity to give rides for Uber at the same time you deliver food for Uber Eats (if you and your vehicle have been accepted by Uber).

Just go to the Uber Driver app, click the right corner, and tap on “Open to all trips.” From there, you can select if you want to accept ride or delivery requests, or both.

You can uncheck either option whenever you want. Delivering for Uber Eats goes hand in hand with driving for Uber as lulls in rides tend to happen around mealtimes, when Uber Eats picks up.

Uber Eats Driver & Vehicle Requirements

While you have to be 21 to drive UberX, for Uber Eats, the requirements are much less stringent, making it ideal for those who are younger or less experienced than Uber’s stringent driving rules permit.

In most cities, you can deliver for Uber Eats in a car, or on a scooter or bicycle. In a few cities, you can even deliver on foot. The Uber Eats car requirements are also less restrictive than they are for UberX.

If you’re planning on driving for Uber Eats, these are the basic driver and vehicle requirements.

Uber Eats Car Requirements

Be at least 19 years old
Have a 2-door or 4-door car made after 1999
Have a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance
Have at least one year of driving experience in the U.S.

Uber Eats Scooter Requirements

Any make or model 2-wheel scooter
Motor must be 50cc or less with a maximum top speed of 30 mph

Uber Eats Bike Requirements

Be at least 18 years old
Have a government-issued ID

Other Uber Eats Driver Requirements

You must be able to lift at least 30 pounds.

Although food deliveries are rarely heavier than three or four pounds, you may get the odd large order that is very heavy, so you’ll need to have the ability to carry it to the customer. You may also need to walk up to the customer’s door (depending on the city), so be sure you’re ready to get a little exercise.

You must use an insulated delivery bag. Upon approval, Uber will mail you an insulated bag. Do not put hot and cold items in the same bag. You can also order your own from the wide variety of insulted bags available on Amazon.

Drive For Uber Eats

How Much Does Uber Eats Pay?

Uber delivery pay varies from market to market. Overall, Uber Eats pays about 15 to 20% less than driving for UberX, but you don’t have to deal with any passengers. Nationally, Uber drivers make about $15.50 per hour. However, in larger markets, Uber drivers routinely make more.

If you’re delivering for Uber Eats, expect to make around $12-$13 per hour when you start out, depending on your market. With a few weeks experience, that number should go up.

Uber Eats pay can vary dramatically based on the city, time of day, traffic, and day of the week. Because this is a food delivery service, lunch and dinner rushes are the most lucrative times to deliver, so it is imperative to work at these times if you want to make the most money possible.

Many UberX drivers will take Uber Eats requests when there aren’t many ride requests coming in. Since drivers receive Uber ride requests and Uber Eats delivery requests through the same Uber driver app, it’s really easy to do both.

Uber Eats calculates payments independently of time, paying only per pickup, per mile driven between pickup and customer, and per drop off. Then, Uber takes a commission (often around 25%) out of that amount. So, the payment equation is: pickup + mileage + drop off – Uber’s cut = your profit.

Uber Eats also offers an in-app tipping feature that gives customers the chance to tip you after the order is delivered and after they rate you. However, the practice of tipping varies wildly from city to city.

Uber Eats Surge and Boost

Surge and boost opportunities are also available in Uber Eats, just as with Uber itself. The boost zones will show up in your Uber Driver app and represent an earnings multiplier for areas with high order demand and not enough drivers.

The multiplier is added to your profit after Uber’s cut is taken out and does not include any tips you make. Surge pricing, the other earnings multiplier you can take advantage of, is also due to high demand but is much less predictable than boost.

Uber Eats Driver Instant Pay

Uber Eats does offer an instant pay option. No need to wait until next week to get paid. You can cash out your earnings each day, or multiple times a day if you wish. Uber does charge a $0.50 convenience fee each time you use instant pay though.

Is It Worth It?

Because Uber Eats has fewer requirements than Uber, this service is ideal for those who would otherwise be excluded from driving for Uber, including those who are still too young to drive for Uber. The car requirements are much less strict as well and no vehicle inspection is required, so it is perfect for those who do not have access to an Uber-accepted vehicle.
Another big benefit is that you’ll be able to make your own schedule and don’t need to deal with a boss, or even passengers. You can decide to drive at any time you wish and have no obligation to continue driving for Uber Eats if you want to quit or take an unplanned vacation. There are no minimum hours and no schedule, so for those who need flexibility and who prefer to work for themselves, this is a good option. You also don’t have to interact with passengers like you would when driving for Uber, making this ideal for those who don’t want strangers in their cars.
However, there are a few drawbacks to driving for Uber Eats. One major issue is that there is no guaranteed minimum pay per hour, and if the area you’re working in isn’t busy, your pay can dip to extremely low levels.

Therefore, you have to be sure you’re working during prime hours, meaning you will have a schedule of sorts if you want to make the job worth your time. You will also have to deal with traffic, waiting in restaurants, and waiting for the customer. You may also have trouble finding where you need to go or locating parking.

In short, Uber Eats is a good option if you don’t meet Uber’s requirements, need a flexible work opportunity, and value not having to deal with a boss or passengers.

Click the button below to begin your Uber Eats application with a promo code guarantee of up to $2000.

Join Uber Eats

Other Delivery Options

If you’re looking for a money-making delivery opportunity, Uber Eats is likely to be a good fit. However, there are other delivery services out there, including DoorDash, Caviar, and Postmates that also offer benefits similar to Uber Eats.

A great side hustle for those looking to drive for money, these delivery services will give you the chance to make extra cash for your savings, your trips, or your everyday expenses.

Check Out Doordash

Check Out Caviar

Check Out Postmates