DoorDash
DoorDash is a delivery service company that provides people with takeout food throughout the U.S. as well as Australia, Canada and Puerto Rico. To become a delivery driver for DoorDash, you should be at least 18 years of age. You can also use a bike, scooter or walk if you live in a city and don’t have a car. If you do plan to make deliveries using a car, you will need to have a driver’s license.
As a DoorDash delivery driver, you have the opportunity to make extra money with tips. DoorDash also offers drivers discounts for car repairs so you can keep making deliveries in no time at all.
Dasher Requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid driver’s license (where applicable)
- Have valid insurance
- Social Security Number
- Have an Android or iOS (Apple) smartphone
Drivers on DoorDash average $15-$20/hour.
Instacart
Instacart is a U.S.-based company that also operates in Canada. It typically focuses on picking up and delivering groceries for customers who either don’t have time to go to a grocery store, or can’t due to a disability or illness. Along with grocery pickup, they also advertise certain drug stores and other local chains that customers need produce from. To become an Instacart delivery driver, you need to be at least 18 years old, have a car for transportation, a valid driver’s license and a smartphone (at least iPhone 5 or Android 4.4 models).
As a delivery driver, you get to partake in a flexible schedule and make extra money by acquiring tips throughout your shift.
To become an Instacart shopper, the requirements are:
- Access to a car, valid driver’s license, and car insurance
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be eligible to work in the U.S.
- Able to lift 50 lbs
Instacart shoppers are paid based on the size and difficulty of the order, plus how busy the app is. Instacart shoppers can now see their estimated earnings before deciding if an order is worth their time.
Full-service Instacart shoppers can make up to $20/hour during busy times and average $12/hour.
Postmates
Postmates is a general delivery app where you get to deliver anything from takeouts and alcohol to office supplies, dry cleaning, and anything in between. It is available in all 50 states, with more than 400 cities listed. It’s really easy to get started, just download the Postmates app (called Postmates – Fleet) and you can manage everything through the mobile app.
If you don’t have a car, you can also deliver on a motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot. But, Postmates promises delivery in one hour, so you’ll need to be quick on your feet if you would like to keep this particular gig going! If you’re late with a number of deliveries, you may not be offered new jobs for a while, so be careful.
As a Postmates delivery driver, you get paid weekly for your efforts via a direct deposit straight to your bank account.
Working as a Postmates driver back in 2017, I experienced a small drop in income, which even if it wasn’t a big dent, it could make a difference over time. You also will not get advance notice of the order drop-off point, making it hard to decide which jobs to accept and which ones to turn down.
On a good note, Postmates chips in a few bucks to cover your fee when a delivery job gets canceled unexpectedly.
Postmates driver requirements
These are the requirements to sign up as a Postmates driver:
- You must be 18 years old
- Access to a reliable vehicle, scooter, or bike
- Car insurance if delivering by car
- A valid driver’s license if using a vehicle
Shipt
SHIPT is pretty much the same thing as Instacart; search “driving jobs near me” to see if SHIPT is available in your area. You get paid to grocery shop and deliver the groceries. The hiring process is pretty simple as well.
The pros and cons are the same as Instacart and it’s a great way to make some extra money.
Requirements to sign up and deliver for Shipt:
- Must be 18 years old or older
- Have a valid driver’s license and insurance
- Have a reliable vehicle – 1997 model or newer
- Capable of lifting 40 lbs or more
- Have insulated cooler bags
How much can you earn? SHIPT pays on average $22 per hour which is not bad.
Uber Eats
Owned by rideshare giant Uber, Uber Eats was launched in 2014 and now partners with over 9,500+ merchants delivering food from your favorite restaurants. It also delivers for convenience stores and grocery stores in certain markets. Since the start of 2020, Uber Eats has seen orders through the app increasing by 197%.
To sign up as an Uber Eats driver , you must:
- Meet the minimum age to drive in your city
- Have at least one year of licensed driving experience (if you’re under 23 years old, you need 3 years of experience driving)
- A valid U.S. driver’s license
- Eligible vehicle (this varies by city, but you can expect requirements for a 4-door vehicle that is at least a 1998 model or newer)
- Provide proof of residency in your city or state
- Have vehicle insurance
Drivers for Uber Eats earn an average of $10-$20/hour.
GrubHub
Grubhub is a U.S.-based food delivery service that provides takeout delivery services from local and chain restaurants to those who order using the app. Grubhub couriers should be at least 19 years old. They should also have a car or bike to make efficient deliveries. Further, those who plan to use a car will need to have a valid driver’s license and car insurance.
Delivery drivers also have a flexible schedule that allows them to choose their hours and whether they want to work full or part-time. Also, delivery drivers get tips to help maximize their wages and they will still receive their hourly pay, should no orders come through during the specific hours they worked.
requirements:
- Be at least 19 years old (at least 21 in Chicago and Las Vegas)
- Have a valid driver’s license and car insurance
- Have a cell phone with a data plan (iOS 11 or higher or Android 5.0 or higher)
Drivers for GrubHub average $12-$15/hour.
Caviar
Caviar is a delivery service with 28 locations nationwide. Delivery drivers should be at least 18 years old and should have completed two years of driving since obtaining their license. Also, delivery drivers should have a form of transportation like a car, scooter or bike to make deliveries more efficient. As a driver, you get to keep 100% of your tips and you get paid directly after making a delivery so you don’t have to wait to be paid.
Also, because Caviar operates from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., you have the option to work at any point during those hours.
requirements to start working for Caviar:
- Must be 18 years old or older
- Access to a car, scooter, or bike in some markets
- A valid driver’s license number
- Auto insurance
Caviar couriers average $15-$20/hour.
AMAZON FLEX
Amazon Flex is an Amazon service that outsources drivers for Prime Now, AmazonFresh, and Amazon Restaurant Delivery. Because you can deliver packages too, that makes it pretty different from the rest of the best food delivery services on this list.
Drivers can pick when they work, but you will need to drive for 3-6 hour-long blocks. You’ll also need insulated bags or coolers to keep refrigerated or freezer items cool.
Here are the requirements to sign up and deliver for Amazon Flex:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Drive a 4-door, mid-sized or larger vehicle
- Have car insurance
Amazon Flex drivers average $18-$25/hour.
