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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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.

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 – 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.