If you’re looking for a flexible side hustle 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.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
Become a DoorDash driver and make money on your terms!
Meet the requirements, apply online, & start earning money from food deliveries.
Maximize earnings by delivering during peak 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 to become a DoorDash driver.
It’s a super simple sign-up process to become a Dasher:
Satisfy DoorDash Driver Requirements
Starting your journey to become a DoorDash delivery driver is pretty straightforward.
The first step in becoming a DoorDash Dasher is to satisfy some basic 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 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 background check to ensure everything is in order before giving your application the green light.
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, depending on the background check process.
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 DoorDash background check 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 driver.
Before you zoom around town, let’s talk about the vehicle requirements and the insurance needs of Dashers.
Here’s what you need to know:
Vehicle Requirements
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 your 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.
DoorDash’s Commercial Auto Insurance
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.
It’s a great way to make sure you and others are protected while you’re out there bringing people their favorite meals.
DoorDash has more information to help you understand their insurance coverage’s ins and outs.
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 additional money through promotions, incentives, and Peak Pay during busy times.
Customer Tips: Customers can tip their drivers, and DoorDash drivers keep 100% of tips.
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:
Dash Whenever You Want
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.
DoorDash Pay Options
Now, let’s talk about getting that money into your bank. You have a few options here:
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.
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 driver app to find when peak pay hours are happening.
Don’t Accept Every Order
Being picky about which orders you take on is key when you become a DoorDash driver.
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 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 city you’re in, how many orders you complete, and the distance you travel.
Food delivery drivers tend to make $10 – $15 an hour depending on when they work and what tips they earn.
If you become a DoorDash driver, you have the potential to make a few extra hundred dollars per month working this side hustle.
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.
To learn more, check out my honest DoorDash Driver Review!
What do I need to become a DoorDash driver?
To become a DoorDash driver, the sign-up process is easy, and you only need to meet a few requirements. You must:
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, auto insurance, and a clean driving record
Pass a background check
After you pass the background check, you can start delivering. You’ll receive your activation kit after you make your first delivery.
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.
When should I deliver food with DoorDash?
DoorDash is busiest during meal times, such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
If you want to earn the most money, working during these peak times and in areas with many restaurants is best.
You can also look for bonuses and incentives on the DoorDash delivery app that may be available during specific times.
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.
