DoorDash Driver Review: Good Side Gig, Bad Full-Time Job

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Key Takeaways

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• Although the company is only a decade old, DoorDash is now synonymous with side hustles and earning extra cash outside of a 9-to-5 job.

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Although the company is only a decade old, DoorDash is now synonymous with side hustles and earning extra cash outside of a 9-to-5 job. In fact, over 1 million people deliver food for DoorDash’s 25 million shoppers.

But how much can you really earn? After the gas, insurance and time, is being a DoorDash driver really worth it? And can this turn into a legitimate, full-time job?

Let’s explore whether driving for DoorDash is a worthwhile way to make extra cash on the side.

4.5/5

DoorDash offers solid earning potential, but it’s key to remember that your per-hour rate will vary widely depending on your location, demand in your area and the times of day you’re willing to work. You’re also responsible for gas and other vehicle-related expenses, and as an independent contractor, you’re not eligible for employer-sponsored health insurance. Still, dashing can be an simple way to earn good money with minimal experience, especially if you need the ability to work around school or other scheduling challenges.

Pros:

• You can choose your own hours.
• Get paid instantly for a $1.99 fee (if approved for the program).
• DoorDash won’t deactivate your account if you decide to take a break from deliveries.

Cons:

• You’re not paid for time spent waiting on orders.
• Your earnings are unpredictable.
• You're not eligible for benefits like health insurance.

Visit DoorDash

Table of Contents

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• DoorDash 101 for Drivers
  • Red Card Orders
  • How Shifts Work
• Accepting and Making Deliveries
• Driver Requirements
• DoorDash Reviews and Consensus
• Earning Potential
• Getting Paid
• Tips and Best Practices
• DoorDash Driver FAQs
• DoorDash Review: Our Verdict

DoorDash 101 for Drivers

If you’re wanting to try out dashing, here’s a quick rundown on how to get started.

Go to the DoorDash website and enter your zip code to make sure that driving opportunities are available in your area. Then, you’ll fill out your personal info (name, phone number, copy of your driver’s license). It might take them a day or two to verify your identity. In the meantime, you should download the DoorDash Driver app on your phone.

Once you’re approved, you’ll attend driver orientation (this will likely be online, but a few markets have in-person orientations). During orientation, you’ll fill out your W-9 tax form, connect your bank account, and learn how to use the DoorDash Driver app.

When you’re ready to go, tap “Dash Now” in the app to begin. Once you’ve completed at least one delivery, your Dasher activation kit will come in the mail. This has the physical items you need to do deliveries on a regular basis, like an insulated DoorDash bag and a Red Card.

Red Card Orders

Most orders are prepaid and waiting for you to grab and go when you arrive at the restaurant. However, for some DoorDash orders, you’ll need a Red Card. 

This is a credit card that comes preloaded with the funds you need to pay for the customer’s order. It’s not linked to your tips, earnings or bank account; it’s just for paying for the customer’s order when payment is required before you can make a delivery. 

Red Card orders aren’t nearly as common as regular orders that don’t require them, so keep your Red Card handy, but don’t worry about it if you want to pass on those orders when you first start out. (You’ll be able to tell if an order is prepaid when deciding whether to accept it or decline it.)

How Shifts Work

To organize its supply of available dashers, DoorDash allows you to schedule your times beforehand by signing up for shifts. However, the requirements for working your particular shift are a lot looser than they are with a traditional job. 

There is no penalty for showing up late, and as long as you sign in within 30 minutes of your scheduled start time, you can dash for your shift. There’s also no punishment for those who end their shift early. You can also pause your shift for up to 35 minutes if you need a bathroom break or to run an errand. 

Shift availability is released five days in advance at midnight. If you meet certain qualifications, you can get early access to shifts starting six days in advance at 3 p.m. This program favors consistent Dashers with good customer service ratings and high volume. DoorDash renews its ratings for early access each Friday. 

If the time you have for delivering is sporadic (and your market isn’t saturated with dashers), you can use the “Dash Now” button to work whenever you have time. The availability of the Dash Now button depends on how numerous dashers are logged in and how numerous orders are available, so if you’re looking for more predictability in your working hours, signing up for shifts is the way to go. 

Accepting and Making Deliveries

While you’re on a shift, you can pick and choose which deliveries you accept. In fact, numerous experienced dashers recommend forgoing low-paying or high-mileage orders to make a better hourly rate (though this may affect what opportunities are offered to you).

The first place the app takes you is the heat map, which tells you how busy each geographic area is. Very busy areas may offer a bonus to incentivize dashers to pick up orders.

While you’re dashing, the app will ping you with orders in your zone when they are available. The order details will tell you everything you need to know before you choose to accept or decline a delivery, including:

• How much you can expect to make for the delivery.
• The distance you’ll drive to make it.
• When the delivery is expected to arrive.
• The restaurant the order is from.
• How large the order is.

You’ll have 30-60 seconds to decide whether to accept or decline the order. Drivers are required to complete at least 80% of the orders they accept, so even if the restaurant takes longer than you expect to make the order or there’s traffic, it’s key to complete the delivery.

Once you accept an order, the app will give you directions to your pickup location. Pick up the customer’s order, double-check that it’s correct, then deliver it to the appropriate drop-off location. 

Driver Requirements

Wondering if you or your vehicle will qualify for DoorDash deliveries? Here are the requirements for DoorDash drivers and vehicles:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• Any make, model or year of car qualifies.
• You can also use an electric scooter or bicycle (in select markets).
• Your auto insurance has to meet or exceed the minimum legal limits for the area.
• You must

  Final Thoughts

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  Originally published at thewaystowealth.com.