DoorDash Driver Review 2023: Great Side Hustle Or Big Flop?

DoorDash has emerged as a prominent player in food delivery services that pay people to deliver food for their customers.

More and more people are exploring the idea of becoming delivery drivers for DoorDash to supplement their income.

But is food delivery a good side hustle? In this DoorDash Driver Review, I’ll show you that it can be a great side hustle for you!

Key Takeaways

• You can earn more from peak pay, tips, promos, and more.
• You schedule your hours ahead of time to work when you want- you have complete control over when you work.
• Maximize earnings with flexible hours, competitive rates, and bonuses.
• DoorDash pay = Base Pay + Promos + Customer Tip
• Be smart about the orders you pick! Select the most lucrative ones for higher efficiency & earnings.
• Busy periods with a high order volume can lead to more deliveries and, therefore, increased pay.
• However, order volume can vary widely based on location and time of day.
• You can join other food apps to up your income! Apps like Postmates, Uber Eats, and more are other opportunities to make money with your car.

Why Become A DoorDash Driver?

Right off the bat, most people want to know why people become DoorDash drivers. If you’re considering it, you need to know the benefits!

Here are several reasons why people have joined the gig economy and jumped on the DoorDash bandwagon:

• Control Your Own Schedule: You can create a schedule that aligns with your life and accept orders you feel are worth your time and gas money.
• Being Your Own Boss: Dashers are independent contractors. As an independent contractor, you don’t get benefits, but you can work when you want to.
• Extra Money During Peak Hours: Lunch and dinner rushes are the busiest and most financially rewarding times for DoorDash drivers and may offer peak pay.
• Setting Your Own Hours: DoorDash drivers can determine how much or how little they want to work. 
• Full-Time or Part-Time Job: Since you control your schedule, this can be a part-time job to make a few extra bucks after your regular job or become your full-time job.

DoorDash Driver Review

How It Works

DoorDash is a service that partners with over 300K restaurants nationwide to deliver meals to customers.

They hire drivers to get food from those restaurants to customers’ homes, and that’s where you come in

As a driver, you’ll pick up the order from the restaurant and deliver it to the customer.

You might pick up meals from restaurants like Chipotle, Wendy’s, Chili’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, McDonald’s, and even smaller, locally-owned restaurants in your area.

You apply for the job and complete the necessary background checks. If accepted, you can log into your account, create your schedule, and start accepting orders.

You’ll get an alert in the app and a text message when a nearby order is placed. Then, you get a small window to accept or reject the order.

If you don’t select anything or reject it, the order will be given to the next available driver to complete.

Driver Pay Model

DoorDash not only puts good money in your pocket but also provides the flexibility and convenience you desire, ensuring you get paid quickly for your efforts.

They pay a competitive rate per Dash depending on the driving distance and a few other factors, plus you get to keep all customer tips.

Here’s what their pay model looks like:

Your Pay = Base Pay + Promos + Tips

Here’s a breakdown of the total earnings and what they might look like:

• Base Pay: Every delivery has a base pay between $2 and $10.
• Promotions: These are called “Peak Pay” promotions, which add $1 – $4 per delivery. It’ll look like a plus sign and a dollar amount in the app.
• Challenges: DoorDash has challenges you can join, like delivering a certain number of orders in a set time. If you complete the challenge, you’ll get a bonus payment.
• Customer Tips: Customers can tip you before or after you deliver the food. They can choose to tip or skip it, but DoorDash pops up to suggest tips from 10% – 20%.

Earning Potential

DoorDash says drivers’ total earnings are $15+ per hour. But, this figure depends on several factors like driving hours, distance, and tips.

Some things that will affect how much a Dasher earns are:

• Location: Some cities offer higher base pay rates and more generous tips, resulting in higher overall earnings for drivers.
• Timing: The best times to DoorDash include peak meal times, such as lunch and dinner hours. DoorDash drivers tend to get a higher volume of food orders.
• Order Volume: The number of orders a driver receives during their shift directly affects their earnings. More deliveries = increased pay.
• Tips: Tips can fluctuate the most- you can’t see the tip people offer on orders, and there’s no guarantee every order has a tip.

Payday & Payment Options

DoorDash provides drivers with three different payment options:

• Daily
• Weekly
• Instantly

Daily

Dashers in the United States and Canada are eligible for Fast Pay, allowing them to instantly cash out their Doordash pay for a $1.99 charge.

To take advantage of this feature, you must have a debit card linked to your Dasher account.

Weekly

Drivers get paid weekly on Mondays for deliveries completed in the previous week. The funds are usually available by Wednesday night so you can plan your week accordingly.

You can receive your total earnings via direct deposit to the bank account you listed when signing up or through DasherDirect if you don’t have/want to use a bank account.

Instantly

With DasherDirect, you can say goodbye to waiting to get paid when you deliver food, and you’ll receive all the money you make right after every Dash.

DasherDirect is a mobile banking app where you can get paid ASAP and get other sweet benefits.

You can use your account to pay bills, make money transfers, and easily locate no-fee ATMs.

You’ll also enjoy a minimum of 2% cash back on your gas purchases, no matter where you fill up.

Driving Hours

As a DoorDash driver, you take control of their work schedule and maximize earnings by strategically choosing peak hours.

Typically, you’ll schedule your hours for the next day starting at midnight, and Top Dashers get first picks on hours and orders.

Top Dashers have made over 200 deliveries in general, but they also make over 100 deliveries per month, have a customer rating of 4.7, and more.

But every Dasher has opportunities to get shifts and work more hours if they want them.

DoorDash also offers a feature called “Dash Now,” which allows you to go online and start receiving orders without scheduling ahead of time.

But this isn’t available all the time or in every city- it depends on how many drivers are available already and if there are a ton of orders or not.

So you might get the option to Dash Now at the lunch or dinner rush some days, but not every day.

DoorDash Waitlist

New drivers often wonder about the DoorDash Waitlist, so let me fill you in.

The DoorDash Waitlist is a pool of drivers on standby- you’re approved, but they don’t have the availability for you to drive right at that moment.

And I feel you – you must be wondering why such a great side hustle would have people waiting around, but I promise it’s a smart reason!

They created the waitlist so people can come and go as active drivers, and there won’t be a problem with a saturated market- too many drivers and not enough orders.

For small towns or places with fewer restaurants available, there’s simply less need for drivers.

So you may get approved to drive but not get orders because people swoop in to get them.

In most bigger cities, this isn’t seen as much, but drivers come and go as they get other opportunities.

Driver Reviews

Delivery driver reviews provide an insightful look into the real-life experiences and opinions of DoorDash drivers.

They help you to make an informed decision about the pros and cons of the job.

Many drivers emphasize the following benefits of being a delivery driver:

• Flexibility and freedom to work on their own time schedule and choose the jobs that fit their lifestyle
• Quick payment options
• Potential to make decent money as a DoorDash driver

Reviews can give you a better understanding of what it’s like to work as a DoorDash driver and help you decide if it’s the right job for you.

On Trustpilot, we found LaShawn, who said:

“Great Company

Great Company! I know because I Dash for them! Who ever created this job was Genius! I can’t speak for every order and thats on the people, but…

It’s a good and quick way to not only get food, but earn some extra cash on the side! Im actually about to Dash soon. Bye!”

Now, many reviews point out things like not having enough orders in a shift, customers not tipping, how DoorDash doesn’t pay for gas, etc.

Some drawbacks about gig jobs is that you might not have a ton of orders to deliver or get tipped on every order.

These aren’t problems to ignore, but I can tell you this is true for many restaurant jobs and other delivery services, not just DoorDash.

You must consider where you live, if you can afford the gas money to make deliveries, and if the pay is worth your time and effort.

I’d also like to point out that the overall ratings on DoorDash include customers and drivers, so you may need to search for driver reviews in review sites.

Signing Up For DoorDash

Becoming a DoorDash driver is a four-step process:

Meet The Requirements

To become a DoorDash driver, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Have a clean driving record
• Have active car insurance
• Have an Android or iOS phone (for the DoorDash app)

There are no special vehicle requirements to become a DoorDash delivery driver besides it’s legally driveable/registered and insured.

After meeting these requirements, you can advance with the application process to become a DoorDash driver.

Apply Online

To apply to become a DoorDash driver, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Dasher sign-up page.
2. Create an account.
3. Submit the requested information, including your ZIP code, email address, etc.
4. Provide documentation DoorDash requires, such as a W-9 form.

Background Check & Get Accepted

After submitting your application, DoorDash will conduct a background check and review your driving record.

The process typically takes a few business days, and then you’ll know if you passed or not.

Once you’ve been accepted, you can move on to the final step in becoming a DoorDash driver: getting on the road and delivering orders.

Get Driving

Once accepted as a DoorDash driver, you can start delivering orders immediately.

You’ll receive a welcome kit, which includes a hot bag for food, a Red Card, and a helpful Getting Started manual.

With your new DoorDash driver account up and running, you can get on the schedule, start accepting orders, and earn money at your convenience.

Tips For DoorDash Drivers

Want to make the most of your time as a DoorDash driver and make more cash than minimum wage?

Here’s some tips to get started:

Pick Some Orders- Not All!

One of the most important things to remember when driving as an independent contractor for DoorDash is to be selective about the orders you accept.

You may be tempted to accept every job, but this can hurt your earnings in the long run.

You can become a Top Dasher quicker by accepting more orders, but not every order is worth it for you.

Be strategic about your orders, only accepting those that will make enough money to make your time and effort worth it.

Consider the distance you’ll need to travel and the amount you’ll earn for each delivery before you accept the job.

It’s okay to turn down orders. Your acceptance rating may drop slightly, but you can still accept orders that make more sense for your location.

Work Peak Hours

Another way to maximize your DoorDash earnings is to work during peak hours.

Working during these times can help you achieve higher hourly earnings, as customers are more likely to tip well during busy periods.

These are the times when there is the most demand for delivery services, typically during lunch and dinner hours.

Focusing on working during high-demand periods can help increase your order volume and earn extra money.

Focus on working lunchtime (11 AM to 2 PM) and dinnertime (4:30 PM to 8 PM) and avoid slow times to maximize your time and effort.

Aim For DoorDash Bonuses

DoorDash offers various bonuses and incentives for drivers, such as Peak Pay, challenges, and Guaranteed Earnings.

These bonuses may include additional payouts for completing a particular number of deliveries in a day or period of time.

For example, if you complete 150+ orders in your first 30 days as a new Dasher, you can make $1,500 in total earnings.

Keep an eye on these bonuses by regularly checking the DoorDash app and aligning your work schedule to take advantage of them.

Work On Rainy Days

If you’re not afraid of a little rain, planning your work schedule around the rainy days is best to maximize your earnings.

On rainy days, most people prefer to stay indoors and order food, so the demand for delivery will likely increase.

Working in the rain may not always be convenient, but it is worth considering. More orders will be available, and you’ll likely make more money in less time.

You can use a hot bag to help protect the food and keep it warm, and get yourself some nice big umbrellas to keep yourself dry.

But as always, drive carefully and keep yourself safe on the road. If it’s really bad out, there’s no need to put you or your car at risk!

Other Food Delivery Apps

If you want to earn cash or make a living by delivering food to customers, there are plenty of apps than just driving for Doordash.

Here are some other popular food delivery services you should consider:

Postmates

Postmates allows drivers to deliver a wide range of items beyond just food.

Their delivery service extends past restaurant food and includes essentials like household items, alcohol, and groceries from local grocery stores.

When you become a Postmates driver, you can anticipate earning an estimated hourly income of approximately $17 per hour.

Drivers can also earn even more by delivering a mix of items, often including groceries, a service where customers typically spend a few dollars extra per order.

See more about how it compares in my Postmates Vs. DoorDash article.

Grubhub

Grubhub stands out as a reliable and convenient option for delivery drivers and has a well-established presence in the industry.

One of the key advantages of working with Grubhub is the flexibility it offers when setting your schedule.

This means you can work as much or as little as your availability allows, making it a versatile option for gig workers.

Grubhub drivers can expect to make approximately $14 per hour, which is a little low but not fair off other platforms.

Check out DoorDash Vs. Grubhub to see more about how they differ.

Uber Eats

Uber Eats is a great option for drivers, and you might already be familiar with Uber’s ride-sharing service, so you can feel confident using their food delivery platform.

What makes Uber Eats especially interesting is the way they reward drivers. They offer bonuses based on how many deliveries you complete.

This means the more deliveries you make, the more money you can earn. Some Uber Eats drivers have reported making as much as $19 an hour!

It’s a trusted brand with opportunities for drivers to boost their earnings through bonuses, making it a smart choice for those looking to make money in food delivery.

Uber Eats Vs. DoorDash can tell you more about their comparisons and see who comes out on top!

Instacart

Instacart is a grocery delivery app that allows drivers to shop and deliver groceries from local stores to customers.

This app is a great option for drivers who want to diversify their deliveries and deliver more than just food.

You can also pick to only shop for the groceries and be an in-store shopper or shop and deliver people’s groceries.

Instacart pays drivers based on the order size, how far they travel, and how quickly they can deliver the groceries.

The average pay right now is $15 an hour for grocery shoppers.

Final Thoughts

So, is DoorDash worth it?

Yes, I think DoorDash is worth it!

Becoming a food delivery driver can open up new ways for you to make money on the side.

Becoming a DoorDash driver can be an excellent side hustle option for those looking for flexibility and a chance to make cash by providing delivery services.

While there are some challenges to consider before diving in, the potential benefits are worth exploring it as a new job or side hustle.

Whether you’re a college student, a full-time worker, or whatever else, becoming a DoorDash driver could be a great way to achieve your goals and grow your bank account.