Do you want to make extra money? Driving for DoorDash could be perfect for you! DoorDash is a popular food delivery service. As a Dasher (that’s what they call DoorDash drivers), you can earn cash by delivering food from restaurants to people’s homes and offices.
This guide will teach you everything about how to become a DoorDash driver in 2024. We’ll cover the requirements, show you exactly how to sign up, and give you insider tips to earn more money dashing.
Let’s get started!
What is DoorDash?
DoorDash is a technology company that runs an app and website for food delivery. When people want food delivered from restaurants, they open the DoorDash app, pick what they want, and a Dasher brings the food right to their door.
Here’s how it works:
- A customer opens the DoorDash app and orders food from a restaurant
- DoorDash sends that order to a nearby Dasher
- The Dasher picks up the food from the restaurant
- The Dasher delivers the food right to the customer’s door
Dashers are the people who actually pick up and deliver the food. As a Dasher, you use your own car, bike or scooter to make the deliveries. You get paid for each delivery you complete.
Pretty cool way to make money, right? Now let’s look at the requirements to become a DoorDash driver.
Requirements to Be a DoorDash Driver
There are a few basic requirements you need to meet to drive for DoorDash. We’ll go through each one:
- Be at Least 18 Years Old To become a DoorDash driver, you must be 18 years or older. No exceptions!
- Have a Valid Driver’s License Number You’ll need to provide your driver’s license number when you sign up. DoorDash will check to make sure your license is valid and that you have a good driving record.
- Have Access to a Vehicle or Bicycle As a Dasher, you’ll need your own mode of transportation to make deliveries. You can use any car, truck, van, motorcycle, scooter or bicycle that meets DoorDash’s requirements.
- Have a Smartphone You’ll use the DoorDash driver app on your smartphone to receive orders and navigate to restaurants/customer addresses. Both iOS (iPhone) and Android phones will work.
- Pass a Background Check DoorDash will perform a background check on you before approving you to dash. They’ll check your driving record and criminal history.
That’s it! As long as you meet those 5 simple requirements, you can sign up to become a DoorDash driver.
Let’s look at the next steps in the sign up process.
How to Sign Up to Drive for DoorDash
Signing up to drive for DoorDash is very straightforward. Just follow these steps:
- Go to www.doordash.com/driver and click “Start Dashing Today”
- Enter your zip code
- Upload photos of your driver’s license and other required documents
- Enter your contact information, vehicle details, and set up direct deposit for payments
- Consent to a background check
- Wait for DoorDash to process your background check (takes 3-7 days)
- Once approved, download the Dasher app and select when you want to start dashing!
DoorDash approves or denies applicants based on their background checks. If approved, you get access to their app and can immediately start receiving delivery requests.
That’s really all there is to getting set up as a DoorDasher! Now let’s look at some tips to make more money driving for DoorDash.
Secret Tips to Earn More Money as a DoorDash Driver
Just signing up is the first step. To really maximize your earnings, you need to know a few key strategies that top Dashers use. Here are my top tips:
Tip #1: Dash During Peak Hours The busiest times for food delivery are meal times, weekends and holidays. More orders = more money. I recommend dashing during these peak hours:
Breakfast: 7 am – 10 am Lunch: 11 am – 2 pm Dinner: 5 pm – 8 pm Weekends & Holidays: All day
By dashing when DoorDash is busiest, you’ll get a steady stream of well-paying orders.
Tip #2: Watch for Peak Pay DoorDash often offers promotions called “Peak Pay” during the busiest hours. This is when they add $1, $2 or more per order to incentivize more Dashers to get online.
Whenever there’s a Peak Pay promotion in your area, make sure to dash then. It’s an easy way to earn extra money for the same work.
Tip #3: Understand How Pay Works DoorDash has a few different pay components that determine how much you earn:
- Base Pay: A minimum payment for each order (usually $2-$4)
- Promotions: Peak Pay, challenges and other bonuses
- Tips: This is where most of your earnings will come from
The keys to maximizing your pay are:
- Work when it’s busy so you get lots of orders
- Provide excellent service to earn higher tips
- Take advantage of bonuses like Peak Pay
The more orders you complete during peak times, the more you’ll make.
Tip #4: Accept Most Orders As a Dasher, you can choose to accept or decline each order DoorDash sends you. But declining too many orders can hurt you.
DoorDash prioritizes orders for Dashers with a higher acceptance rate. The lower your rate, the fewer (and lower-paying) orders you’ll get.
My advice: accept as many orders as possible, especially when working during peak hours. The key is to complete as many deliveries as you can in an hour or shift.
Tip #5: Invest in Insulation Bags Insulated delivery bags help keep food hot (or cold) during the trip to the customer. Customers appreciate having their food still fresh and they’ll tip accordingly.
You can buy inexpensive insulation bags made just for food delivery. It’s a small investment that pays off with higher tips!
Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to being a highly-paid, top Dasher.
FAQ
Becoming a DoorDash driver is pretty straightforward. But you may still have other questions, like:
How much can I earn dashing?
Most Dashers earn between $15-$25 per hour, with top Dashers earning up to $35/hour or more during peak times. Exactly how much you make depends on how many hours you work, the number of deliveries you complete, your location and how good your service is.
Do I need commercial auto insurance?
No, the minimum insurance requirements are just your standard personal auto insurance coverage. DoorDash provides supplemental insurance while you’re on an active delivery.
Can I dash whenever I want?
Yes, you can sign into the app and dash any time, as little or as much as you want. It’s flexible for people who want a full-time or part-time delivery job.
What vehicle can I use?
You can use any car, SUV, van, truck, motorcycle, scooter or bicycle that’s approved by DoorDash. Check their requirements on vehicle age, condition and insurance.
I hope this guide gave you all the info you need to feel confident applying to become a DoorDash driver in 2024. It’s a fast and easy way to start earning extra income on your own schedule.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like APPLY: DoorDash Customer Service Job From Home. Now get out there and start dashing!