Becoming a DoorDash driver is a great way to earn additional money and enjoy the freedom of working on your schedule. Before you start, you should know some essential things about being a dasher so you can get the most out of this opportunity.
You need a car
It’s essential to have your car when you drive for DoorDash – if it’s older than ten years old or has more than 100k miles, it might not be eligible for delivery. While cars with GPS systems or in-car tablets can be helpful, they aren’t required. You also need to ensure that your vehicle is adequately insured for commercial purposes since you will be responsible for any damages that may occur during deliveries.
You’ll be an independent contractor
You’ll have to sign up as an independent contractor (or “dasher”) instead of a full-time employee, and the pay can vary depending on how many deliveries you make in a given day. You may need to account for additional expenses as a dasher, such as fuel costs and vehicle maintenance. Being your boss is one of the best driving parts with DoorDash; you can take time off when needed or pick up shifts if you want to earn extra money quickly.
You can earn tips
One thing that makes DoorDash stand out among other delivery services is its tip system. When you upload the food items and payment information to the app, the customer can include a tip with their order. This means that you are more likely to get a larger tip compared to other delivery services where customers are only sometimes willing or able to pay extra for delivery.
Time management is crucial
A large part of being successful as a dasher is being able to manage your time effectively and complete deliveries promptly – so make sure that you plan out your route ahead of time and use all available tools such as GPS systems, communication apps, etc., to ensure that you don’t run into any issues along the way. Good time management skills will help ensure that you earn consistent amounts of money each week and that you don’t find yourself stuck waiting for deliveries to come in.
It can be a great extra
If you are an existing Uber or Lyft driver, signing up with DoorDash is a great way to generate more income from the exact vehicle. It can also be helpful if you want to try a new gig before committing to something longer-term. That said, driving for multiple delivery services simultaneously can be very difficult since it requires keeping track of different schedules and orders – so make sure that you plan your days accordingly so that you don’t miss any critical shifts or opportunities.
You could do between five and ten deliveries daily
On average, most drivers complete between five and ten deliveries per day – the exact amount will depend on factors like traffic conditions and the number of deliveries that have already been scheduled for the day. If you feel like you are spending a lot of time waiting in between orders, it’s possible to pick up additional shifts elsewhere – or even sign up for another job that allows you to find your work and deliver goods on your off days.
Customers aren’t always available
While DoorDash typically provides drivers with customer contact information and delivery notes when they place an order, there may be times when the customer isn’t available at the specified address once they rent a car for Doordash. In these cases, it’s essential to reach out to DoorDash support immediately to assist in locating the customer and getting them connected with their food order.
Vehicles go through verification checks
Once you’ve signed up, the DoorDash team will need to run a verification check on your vehicle and driving record before you are officially activated as a dasher. This can take anywhere from 1-10 days, depending on how quickly you complete all requirements. Still, it is essential to becoming a driver since it helps ensure that all customers (and other dashers) have a safe experience with DoorDash.
Orders can be made telephonically
While most deliveries are placed directly through the app, people may not have their smartphones or prefer to place orders over the phone. In these cases, someone at DoorDash support can be reached by calling their toll-free number – which is typically available 24/7.
You might need to improvise
Finally, a crucial part of being a dasher is knowing how to adapt and improvise when facing unexpected circumstances (e.g., traffic accidents, weather issues, etc.). That said, it’s also important to be aware of potential issues ahead of time so that you can plan accordingly – and leverage your existing skill set to minimize the impact on your income. Regardless of what happens along the way, keep in mind that working as a DoorDash driver can be incredibly rewarding from an income perspective and helping others get the food they need!
With that said
DoorDash is a great way to earn extra cash, but it’s only for some. Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before signing up. Do your research and consider whether DoorDash is suitable for you.
