If you’re looking for a flexible side job and enjoy driving, becoming a Dasher could be a great opportunity!
DoorDash is a popular food delivery app that connects customers with local restaurants and delivery drivers.
Discover how you can easily slip into the driver’s seat and steer your way to a more prosperous day, one delivery at a time.
Let’s talk about how to become a DoorDash driver and start the most popular gig economy job.
You're the boss. Start and stop when you want! Start earning money as a Door Dasher today!
Key Takeaways
- If you’ve got a clean driving record, delivery driving could be the side hustle for you.
- Make money on your terms as a DoorDash delivery driver.
- As a driver, you’re an independent contractor who picks when and where you’ll drive, a great side hustle to fit your own schedule.
- Meet the DoorDash driver requirements, apply online, & start earning money from food deliveries.
- Maximize earnings by delivering during the best hours, late nights & rainy days.
Become A Doordash Driver
More people are getting their favorite meals delivered straight to their doors. Now is the perfect time to jump in and sign up as a DoorDash driver.
Starting your journey to become a DoorDash delivery driver is pretty straightforward.
The first step in becoming a Dasher is to satisfy some DoorDash driver requirements:
- Be 18 or older
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Have an iPhone or Android smartphone (must run the Dasher App!)
- Need a car, truck, bicycle, or scooter (depending on your city)
- Pass a DoorDash background check (done after completing the application)
Apply Online
Next up, it’s time to jump into the application process! It’s a breeze to get started – just head over to the DoorDash website.
There, you’ll enter basic info like your name, where you live, email, phone number, and other details like your license identification and social security number.
Your social is mainly for pay and the DoorDash background check to ensure a clean driving record before your application gets the green light.
You're the boss. Start and stop when you want! Start earning money as a Door Dasher today!
Await Driver Approval
Once you’ve submitted your application, DoorDash reviews it and performs a background check.
This step may take a few days to a couple of weeks.
Sometimes, you may be approved but be put on the DoorDash Watilist because there is a surplus of drivers, but DoorDash communicates with you every step of the way!
DoorDash notifies you via email or in-app if you’re approved to drive for them. Be patient – it’s just a waiting game, but worth it!
Get Approved & Start Driving
Once your background clears and you get the thumbs up, the road to being a DoorDash superstar begins!
They’ll send you an activation kit with an insulated hot bag to ensure food orders maintain the perfect temperature.
But you can actually make your first delivery before your DoorDash Welcome Kit lands at your doorstep.
Log into the app with your DoorDash driver account and immediately accept your first delivery request!
DoorDash Car Requirements
Many people wonder about the specific car requirements when embarking on a journey as a DoorDash Dasher.
Before you zoom around town, let’s talk about the vehicle requirements and the insurance needs of Dashers.
You might think there are stringent rules about the type of car you need to start your DoorDash adventure, but that’s not the case.
DoorDash embraces the idea that any car can be a delivery superstar!
You’re set as long as it’s driveable and insured, and you’ve got a valid driver’s license.
Whether you have a vintage sedan or a brand-new SUV, it’s perfect for the job as long as it gets from point A to B.
DoorDash Insurance Requirements
DoorDash requires that you have a valid insurance policy on your car overall before you start driving.
This is required by law in most states, but your car insurance must be active to cover any personal incidents that might happen.
Besides your own insurance, DoorDash offers a commercial auto insurance policy that covers you during active delivery times.
If you find yourself in an accident while delivering, DoorDash has a policy covering $25,000 – $1,000,000 for bodily injury and property damage to third parties.
Driver Details
As a Dasher, it’s important to understand the pay model, working hours, and payment options available to you:
Pay Model
DoorDash drivers earn money based on a formula that includes:
- Base pay: The base pay for each order can range from $2 to $10, depending on distance and the estimated time required to complete the delivery.
- Promotions: Drivers may earn extra money through promotions, incentives, and Peak Pay during busy times.
- Customer Tips: Customers can tip their drivers, and DoorDash drivers keep 100% of customer tips.
They also have DoorDash hourly pay now, but it’s still new, and the kinks aren’t worked out. It’s not the most flexible.
The hourly rate is from average Dasher payouts based on delivery times (pick up to drop off) over 90 days, including incentives and all those as well.
Dasher Hours
One of the best things about joining the DoorDash family is the freedom to choose your hours. Let’s dive into how you can make the most of it:
The beauty of DoorDash is its flexibility. Whether you’re looking to dash all day, every day, or just sprinkle in some dashes here and there, it’s all up to you.
No strings attached, no commitments – just pure freedom!
Plan with Scheduling
Do you have a busy week but still want to squeeze in some dashes? No worries!
With DoorDash, you can schedule your dashes in advance. This way, you can secure your spot on the road and dash when it suits you best.
Catch the Peak Times
Aim for the peak times and make the most extra money with busy hours.
But when are the best times to DoorDash?
Think lunch from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and dinner from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM. These are the golden hours when everyone’s hungry, and orders fly in.
You can normally select your hours starting at midnight each night for the following day. These schedules are first come, first served.
Qualified Dashers can also get Early Access Scheduling: schedule dashes up to 6 days in advance to ensure you’re right in the action during these peak times.
Ready to Dash Now?
Sometimes, you just feel the urge to dash right away. And guess what? DoorDash has got you covered with the “Dash Now” feature.
When things are buzzing in your area, the heat map screen will light up in shades of red. The darker the red, the more orders are up for grabs.
So, when you see that shade of red, click “Dash Now,” and off you go!
Payday & Pay Options
Curious about how much you’ve earned? Just open your Dasher app and tap on “Earnings.”
Here, you can see your daily earnings, cash out with Fast Pay or DasherDirect, and even check your earnings history.
Here are your options to get that cash after you provide your bank account information:
- Paid Weekly: You get direct deposit into your bank account every week.
- Daily: Use Fast Pay to get your earnings once per day for a small fee. This option is available in the U.S., Canada, and Australia (with varying fees).
- Instantly: If you’re in the U.S., you can opt for DasherDirect, an account that gives you instant deposits with no fee, a Visa card, plus a sweet 2% cash back on gas.
You're the boss. Start and stop when you want! Start earning money as a Door Dasher today!
Tips For Dashers
Before you hit the road, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time and start making money with DoorDash:
Drive Peak Hours
One of the best ways for making money as a DoorDash driver is to work during busy hours when many people order food.
Working during these busy hours gives you a better chance of getting more orders and making more money.
These busy hours are usually around lunchtime (11 AM – 2 PM) and dinner time (5 PM – 9 PM), when there’s a big demand for food deliveries.
You can select these hours when you create your daily schedule, or you can Dash last minute during busier times using Dash Now.
To find out the exact busy times with Dash Now, check the DoorDash app to find when peak pay hours are happening.
Don’t Accept Every Order
As an independent contractor, you need to make sure whatever work you get is worth your time, so be picky about accepting orders.
Not all orders will be worthwhile, especially if they’re far from where you are or don’t pay enough for the time and mileage you’ll put in.
When you’ve got the Dasher app open, it’ll show you the order details and where you’ll be going.
When deciding, try to pick orders nearby, offer a higher base pay, and won’t take more than 20-30 minutes or so to complete.
The distance is key so you can do more in a short time frame. You can also handle multiple orders in a short time, boosting your chances of making money.
Deliver Late Nights & Rainy Days
Another way to increase your earnings as a DoorDash driver is to deliver during late nights and rainy days.
During these times, there’s less competition from other drivers and more customers ordering food for delivery.
The demand for food delivery services increases when people want food before things close or when they don’t want to drive in the rain.
People are often more generous with tips during bad weather or after hours, meaning more money for you!
FAQs
How much can you make a DoorDash driver?
The amount of money you can earn as a DoorDash driver varies depending on a few factors.
Pay depends on the base pay of the order, the city you’re in, how many orders you complete, and the distance you travel.
Some areas also have an hourly rate, which is based on average Dasher payouts for 90 days worth of delivery times.
Delivery drivers tend to make $10 – $15 an hour depending on when they work and what tips they earn.
Some Dashers can make $500 per week with DoorDash by using bath orders and getting pay incentives during Peak Hours.
If you become a DoorDash driver, you have the potential to make a few extra hundred dollars per month working.
Is DoorDash worth it?
Yes, DoorDash is worth it if you’re looking for a flexible and quick way to earn extra cash.
As a delivery driver, you can choose your schedule from what DoorDash has available and work as little or as much as you want.
The base pay plus tips has the potential to earn extra money each week.
The DoorDash app is user-friendly and makes accepting and completing orders easy.
What do I need to be a DoorDash driver?
To become a driver, the sign-up process is easy, and you only need to meet a few DoorDash driver requirements.:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a smartphone (iPhone or Android)
- Have a vehicle or mode of transportation (car, motorcycle, bicycle, or scooter)
- Have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance
- Pass a background check- a clean driver record is needed!
After you pass the background check, you can start delivering. You’ll receive your activation kit after you make your first delivery.
If you have any questions on the process or after you’ve applied, contact DoorDash support on their main page.
You're the boss. Start and stop when you want! Start earning money as a Door Dasher today!
Does DoorDash pay for gas?
No, DoorDash doesn’t pay for gas.
As an independent contractor, you must cover any expenses incurred while delivering food, including gas and vehicle maintenance fees.
But, you can deduct these expenses when filing your taxes, which can help offset the cost.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a DoorDash Driver is a simple and easy process. It’s a great way to earn extra cash, especially if you’re looking for a flexible schedule.
With DoorDash, you can choose your work hours and work around other commitments.
You can select your hours every day with what’s available and put your car to work!
So why not give it a try today? Become a Dasher and start earning that extra dough.
You're the boss. Start and stop when you want! Start earning money as a Door Dasher today!
