Restaurant delivery hustles are one of the easiest jobs to get. These are evergreen jobs because people always want good orders delivered to their homes. Let’s take a look at what it takes to get hired and make money with DoorDash.
Is DoorDash worth it?
Requirements to be a DoorDash driver
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You need a vehicle (car, scooter, or bicycle) and an auto insurance policy
- You need a valid driver’s license
- You need a social security number (only in the US)
- You need to agree to a background check
How quickly can you start earning money with DoorDash
You can sign up to be a Dasher with DoorDash in only a few minutes. It takes a couple of days to complete the background check and other steps in the process. You will need to complete a short divers orientation course online before you can start delivering orders. You will start earning within a few days of signing up.
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How does DoorDash work for Dashers (drivers)?
Two options – Dash Now or Schedule A Shift
After you are approved, you can download the DoorDash Dasher app on your Android or iOS phone. You have two options as a dasher – Dash Now or Schedule a Shift. As the name indicates, Dash Now allows you to work whenever you wish. If there are too many Dashers working in your area, you won’t be able to choose the Work Now option.
Scheduling a Shift allows you to plan your work hours ahead of time. Because you are planning ahead, you have a better chance of getting orders and getting paid.
For each order, DoorDash will show you the following information.
- Distance from the restaurant (miles) to the delivery location and the route
- Time the order needs to be delivered by
- Number of items in the order
- Your pay for the order
You have the option to take the order or not depending on the order. If you want to take the order, you must “Accept” the order on your app. You have 45 secs to accept the order before it goes to the next Dasher.
After you accept the order
Once you accept the order on your phone, the DoorDash Dasher app will give you driving directions to the restaurants. Upon arriving at the restaurant, you need to confirm your arrival and confirm your order pick up.
Some orders are prepaid by the customers. Others require you to pay with the DoorDash Red card. The Red card has DoorDash’s money, so you don’t have to worry if the customer doesn’t pay for the order.
You then drive to the destination and deliver the order. Once the order is complete, you are eligible for payment.
Payment options for Dashers
You can get paid by direct deposit every Wednesday. If you need the money quickly, you can opt for Fast Pay, which pays daily but costs $1.99 for every withdrawal.
How much money can you make with DoorDash?
With DoorDash, what you get paid varies from order to order. But you get hourly pay (what you get paid per hour while delivering orders), customer tips, and DoorDash incentive programs.
What expenses are drivers responsible for with DoorDash?
The driver is responsible for gas, car maintenance expenses, tolls, and parking fees. Note that you can deduct your mileage on your tax return.
How to increase your earnings with DoorDash?
Working peak hours and referral bonus
As with any gig work, there are creative ways to maximize your earnings.
- DoorDash pays more during peak hours – lunch and dinner. You can also make more during the weekends. Being available to work during these times will increase your earnings.
- You can make money referring other drivers to DoorDash. The referred Dasher must complete a certain number of deliveries before you earn a referral bonus
Take large orders
Since you have the option to accept or decline an order, choosing orders with many items will increase your earnings
Optimize your routes
If you work in high traffic area, it takes longer to deliver your order and you make less money. Learning your routes, especially around high-traffic times, will help increase your income.
Bonus offers
DoorDash occasionally offers bonuses to Dashers. Always check if you are eligible for these offers.
Become a Top Dasher
Every month, DoorDash runs stats on its drivers and if you meet the following criteria, you become a Top Dasher.
- Customer rating of at least 4.7
- Order acceptance of greater than 70%
- Competition rate greater than 95%
- More than 100+ orderers delivered in a month
- More than 200 completed deliveries lifetime
If you are a top Dasher for the month, you will be prioritized over other Dashers in the area and will have 24/7 Dash Now availability irrespective of the number of Dashers available.
DoorDash Alternatives
There are a number of other similar gig jobs that may work for you.
Instacart
Instacart pays you to shop and deliver orders. You are paid per order and keep all the tips you get.
Shipt
Shipt is similar to Instacart – you get paid to shop and deliver groceries. Shipt says you can earn $22 per hour in total from regular pay, tips, and bonuses.
Grubhub
Grubhub pays you per order based on time to deliver and mileage. You have to be 19 years old to work for Grubhub.
Bottom Line
DoorDash is a great way to make income. You can increase your income by working during peak hours and strategically picking your routes and orders. Because tips play a part in your total income, being professional and providing good service will help you earn more.
