To become a dash driver, you'll need to meet certain requirements. You must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver's license.
The requirements for dash drivers vary by company, but most require a clean driving record and a minimum of two years of driving experience. This helps ensure drivers are responsible and skilled behind the wheel.
Dash drivers are typically independent contractors, which means they get to choose their own schedules and routes. However, this also means they're responsible for their own expenses, such as fuel and vehicle maintenance.
Dash Driver Income
The average income for most DoorDash drivers ranges between $15 and $25 per hour, but this can vary depending on how many deliveries you complete per hour and how much you earn from tips. You may earn more than this if you get plenty of additional income from tips for your orders.
If you can work during peak times or maximize your delivery efficiency, you could be on the higher end of this scale, earning up to $25 per hour or more with stacked deliveries.
To give you a better idea, here are some estimated hourly pay ranges for DoorDash drivers:
Dash Driver Pay Structure
You can earn a guaranteed base rate from $2 to $10 (or more) for every order, depending on factors like distance and estimated time required.
The base pay starts at a minimum of $2, but can increase to $10 or higher in some cases.
As a DoorDash driver, you're guaranteed to get the base pay amount for a successful delivery.
You can earn extra from tips and promotions, like "peak pay" during busy times, and keep 100% of tips.
Dashers can see what the hourly rate is before choosing to earn that way, and it depends on the time of day and location.
In some cities, you can opt to earn an hourly rate, but you won't be paid for time spent waiting for DoorDash to offer a new order.
You can earn up to $20 per hour comfortably while working in your free time with DoorDash, but this is highly variable.
On a similar theme: Dash Till Puff 2
The average income for most DoorDash drivers ranges between $15 and $25 per hour, and you may earn more with tips.
Your hourly rate will be based on how many deliveries you complete per hour, and you won't be able to see how much your tips are worth until you've completed the delivery.
In some cities, you can choose to earn a set hourly rate (plus any tips) rather than per-delivery pay, but you'll only get paid for the time spent "actively" making deliveries.
Dash Driver Opportunities
Dash drivers have the flexibility to choose how they get paid, with options ranging from a guaranteed base rate to an hourly rate. In some cities, drivers can earn an hourly rate that depends on the time of day and location.
The average hourly pay for DoorDash drivers in the U.S. is about $19, according to ZipRecruiter. However, drivers can earn extra from tips and promotions, like "peak pay" during busy times.
Dash drivers can opt to earn an hourly rate, but they won't be paid for time spent waiting for DoorDash to offer a new order to fulfill. They can also switch back to payment per order if they decline or unassign too many orders in a row.
Here's a comparison of the two earning models:
Overall, Dash drivers have the flexibility to choose how they get paid and can earn extra from tips and promotions.
Boost Home Delivery Income with Para
You can earn between $15 and $25 per hour as a DoorDash driver, but it's not always easy to know exactly how much you'll make. The amount you earn per hour will depend on how many deliveries you complete and the tips you receive.
Para is an app that can help you make more money from home delivery gigs. It allows you to work with multiple delivery services at once, including DoorDash alternatives, and find the best-paying gigs.
With Para, you can see how much tip you will receive from the customer before accepting delivery orders. This can help you earn more stable and reliable income.
Para's features include easier management systems, total mileage and round trip distance tracking, and reduced downtime between jobs. This can help you streamline your earning potential and make the most of your time as a delivery driver.
You can earn up to $25 per hour or more with stacked deliveries using Para.
Here are some of the key features of Para:
• Full tip transparency
• Easier management systems
• Total mileage and round trip distance tracking
• Reduced downtime between jobs
• ParaWorks, which offers new earning opportunities
Para is a highly versatile tool that can help you choose the best-paying gigs and earn more income from your home delivery work.
Sign-up Was Easy
Signing up to become a dash driver is a straightforward process. You can use your existing DoorDash account to log in and get started.
The Dasher app guides you through the sign-up process with clear prompts. You'll need to enter your vehicle details, scan your driver's license, and take a selfie.
Background checks are typically completed within a day, but can take longer in some cases.
Dash Driver Challenges
DoorDash has faced a class-action lawsuit over misclassifying delivery drivers as independent contractors. The company agreed to pay $100 million in a tentative settlement, with $61 million going to over 900,000 drivers.
A significant criticism of DoorDash's new Earn by Time feature is that it creates a moral hazard, incentivizing drivers to be as slow as possible. This can lead to delayed payment if DoorDash determines that a driver used this payment mode in an abusive or suspicious manner.
Drivers who use Time Dash may face fewer hours of work, as the feature is not always available in all markets. The hourly wage is not a true minimum wage, as drivers are not paid for time spent waiting for orders in between deliveries.
2017 Class-Action Lawsuit
A class-action lawsuit was filed against DoorDash in 2017 for allegedly misclassifying delivery drivers in California and Massachusetts as independent contractors.
The lawsuit led to a tentative settlement in 2022, where DoorDash agreed to pay $100 million total.
$61 million of this amount went directly to over 900,000 drivers, with each receiving approximately $130.
DoorDash also paid $28 million to the lawyers involved in the case.
The settlement was met with criticism, with some noting that the $413 million DoorDash CEO Tony Xu received the previous year was one of the largest CEO compensation packages of all time.
Cons
One of the main challenges Dash drivers face is the inconsistent pay structure. This can lead to delayed payment if DoorDash determines that a driver used the Earn per Time feature in an abusive or suspicious manner.
In some markets, the Earn per Time feature isn't even available to Dashers, which can limit their earning potential. Fewer hours are available when this feature is present, and it's not a true minimum hourly wage.
You're not paid for time spent waiting for orders in between deliveries with Earn per Time. This can be a significant drawback, especially if you're waiting for extended periods.
The Earn per Time feature also doesn't give priority access to high-paying priority orders. This is by design, as it's meant to incentivize drivers to take lower-paying orders without increasing the order base pay.
Here are some of the cons of the Earn per Time feature:
- Creates a moral hazard; drivers are incentivized to be as slow as possible.
- Fewer hours; in markets that do have this new feature, it’s not always available to Dashers.
- Not a true minimum hourly wage; you are not paid for time spent waiting for orders in between deliveries.
- Priority access to high-paying priority orders isn’t available.
Rideshare insiders and experts are highly critical of this feature, labeling it a way for the app to dupe drivers into taking undesirable orders in exchange for an hourly wage that is not enough to cover vehicle wear and tear.
Dash Driver Market and Requirements
To become a DoorDash driver, you'll need to meet some basic requirements. You must be at least 18 years old.
You'll also need a mode of transportation, which can vary by location but typically includes a car, motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle. If you drive, you'll need a valid driver's license and insurance.
To sign up, you'll need a smartphone with the DoorDash app, and you'll agree to a background check. You'll also need to have a Social Security number.
Markets
DoorDash has been expanding its reach into international markets, starting with Toronto, Canada in 2015. Today, you can work as a Dasher in over 7,000 cities across the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
The company has been steadily increasing its global presence, launching in Melbourne, Australia in 2019 and later expanding into other parts of the country. DoorDash has also made its way to Sendai, Japan and Stuttgart, Germany, with the most recent expansion into the Wellington Region of New Zealand in June 2022.
DoorDash operates in various regions around the world, allowing you to deliver in cities near where you live or visit. This means you can choose to work as a Dasher in a location that suits your schedule and preferences.
Suggestion: Dash Work
Requirements for Delivery
To become a DoorDash driver, you'll need to meet some basic requirements. You must be at least 18 years old.
To start, you'll need a vehicle, which can be a car, motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle, depending on your location. This means you'll also need a valid driver's license and insurance, if you drive.
A Social Security number is also required to sign up for DoorDash. You'll need to agree to a background check as well.
To complete the process, you'll need a smartphone with the DoorDash app. You can sign up online and submit an application after satisfying these requirements.
Here are the key requirements in a nutshell:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a car, motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle (options vary by location).
- Have a valid driver's license and insurance (if driving).
- Have a Social Security number.
- Agree to a background check.
- Have a smartphone with the DoorDash app.
Dash Driver Tips and Transparency
DoorDash's tipping policy has been a point of contention for drivers. In July 2019, a class action lawsuit was filed against the company for its "materially false and misleading" tipping policy, which allowed customers to tip, but the company would first use the tip to cover the guaranteed minimum per order before paying the driver.
DoorDash has since revised its policy, but drivers have continued to push for transparency. In July 2021, drivers went on strike to protest the lack of tip transparency and to ask for higher pay. As of June 2022, DoorDash still does not allow drivers to see the full tip amounts prior to accepting a delivery in the app.
To maximize earnings, drivers can focus on busy times, such as lunch and dinner rushes, and look for promotions. They can also use third-party apps, like Para, to see the full tip amounts and make informed decisions about which deliveries to accept.
Tips for Through
Tips for Earning Through DoorDash are a crucial part of maximizing your earnings. Focus on busy times, like lunch and dinner rushes, when there are more orders available and higher pay for deliveries.
Busy times are usually the best time to earn more, as DoorDash offers higher pay for deliveries as an incentive to get more drivers on board. Look for promotions, but pick and choose them carefully, as they may not always be as lucrative as they seem.
Be prepared to work in bad weather, as many people avoid going out when the weather's bad. This means there'll be more orders available and more chances of getting generous tips from grateful customers.
Always factor fuel into your decisions, as there's no point taking a DoorDash job if you've got to do a huge round trip for a very small pay packet. Make sure your chosen jobs account for time and fuel bills, especially since gas prices are increasing.
Tips drive a large percentage of earnings, with our data showing that tips make up half of total earnings. To maximize tips, move quickly, handle food with care, and be as pleasant as possible when handing an order directly to a customer.
Here are some specific tips to help you earn more through DoorDash:
- Focus on busy times, like lunch and dinner rushes.
- Look for promotions, but pick and choose them carefully.
- Be prepared to work in bad weather.
- Always factor fuel into your decisions.
- Move quickly, handle food with care, and be pleasant when handing an order directly to a customer.
Tip Transparency
Tip transparency is a major issue for DoorDash drivers. In July 2021, drivers went on strike to protest the lack of tip transparency, citing that DoorDash hid a portion of the tip until the delivery was complete.
DoorDash's tipping policy has been criticized for withholding tips from drivers. In July 2019, The New York Times exposed the company's policy, which allowed customers to add tips, but instead of going directly to the driver, it first went to the company to cover the guaranteed minimum. Drivers then only directly received the part of the tip that exceeded the guaranteed minimum per order.
Drivers can now see the full tip amounts prior to accepting a delivery in the app, thanks to the Para app. Para helps users to earn more from their food delivery efforts, ensuring full tip transparency on every delivery.
DoorDash pays 100% of income tipped from customers directly to the delivery driver. Tips are a significant source of income for drivers, with some earning 50% of their total earnings from tips alone.
Here are some tips for maximizing your tip earnings:
- Focus on busy times, such as lunch and dinner rushes, when there are more orders available and customers are more likely to tip generously.
- Be prepared to work in bad weather, when fewer people are out and about, and customers may be more grateful for your service.
- Consider using the Para app to see the full tip amounts prior to accepting a delivery.
- Always factor fuel into your decisions, and choose jobs that account for your time and fuel costs.
Pros and Cons of Pricing
The pros and cons of pricing are a crucial consideration for any Dash driver. Many drivers are excited about the hourly payout for time orders.
The hourly payout can be a game-changer for drivers who take on time orders, as it provides a predictable income stream.
However, this system also comes with some cons, such as the potential for reduced earnings on short trips.
Best Times to Order in 2022
If you're looking to maximize your chances of getting a Dash driver to your doorstep quickly, consider ordering during off-peak hours. This means avoiding rush hour times, typically between 4-6 pm, when drivers are in high demand.
Peak hours are usually between 4-6 pm, with the highest demand occurring between 5-6 pm, when drivers are busiest.
Ordering between 10 am and 2 pm can be a good alternative, as there are usually fewer drivers on the road during this time.
Dash estimates that 75% of orders are delivered between 30 minutes to 1 hour after ordering, but this can vary depending on the time of day and driver availability.
Take a look at this: Dash 6
Frequently Asked Questions
What is driver dash?
Driver Dash is a payment technology that enables fast and secure transactions for employees at the pump or charge station using their mobile phones. It streamlines payments and provides detailed reporting for easy management.
How to make $1000 a week with DoorDash?
To make $1000 a week with DoorDash, you'll need to work 50 hours a week with a higher than average hourly rate, which may require working 7 days a week. However, even with this effort, there's no guarantee of reaching your goal.
Sources
- doordash.com (doordash.com)
- "North Texas Food Bank Partners with DoorDash to Deliver Meals to Seniors in Need - CBS Texas" (cbsnews.com)
- "DoorDash Extends Cold Weather Grants as Part of $200M Pledge" (restaurantbusinessonline.com)
- "A milestone delivery: DoorDash, Food Bank of Delaware team up to deliver food to those most in need" (wdel.com)
- "DoorDash to pay $1.6M to its workers for violating Seattle sick time policy" (apnews.com)
- "'NO DASHER = NO DELIVERIES:' DoorDash Drivers Strike for Tip Transparency" (vice.com)
- "GrubHub, Doordash Accused in Suit of Pushing Prices Higher" (bloomberg.com)
- "DoorDash is paying $2.5 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the food delivery company of stealing drivers' tips" (businessinsider.com)
- "DoorDash settles lawsuit for $2.5M over 'deceptive' tipping practices" (cnet.com)
- "DoorDash Changes Tipping Model After Uproar From Customers" (nytimes.com)
- "DoorDash's New Tipping Policy Has Increased Driver Pay" (fortune.com)
- "Arkin v. DoorDash, Inc" (casetext.com)
- "Brooklyn man sues DoorDash for 'misleading' tipping policy" (nypost.com)
- "DoorDash is still pocketing workers' tips, almost a month after it promised to stop" (vox.com)
- "Delivery apps like DoorDash are using your tips to pay workers' wages" (theverge.com)
- "DoorDash confirms data breach affected 4.9 million customers, workers and merchants" (techcrunch.com)
- "DoorDash $100 Million Driver Settlement Tentatively Approved" (bloomberglaw.com)
- "DoorDash takes another step toward automated food delivery" (theverge.com)
- "DoorDash acquires autonomous driving startup Scotty Labs" (techcrunch.com)
- "DoorDash Buys Rival, Caviar, for $410 Million" (nytimes.com)
- "US-Lieferdienst Doordash startet in Stuttgart" (handelsblatt.com)
- "DoorDash spreads beyond North America with Australia launch" (reuters.com)
- "DoorDash says it will start paying a minimum hourly wage - CBS News" (cbsnews.com)
- "DoorDash lays off 1,250 employees" (cnbc.com)
- "Women who lost jobs due to COVID turn to food delivery platforms" (cbsnews.com)
- "DoorDash is the fastest growing meal delivery business during coronavirus lock down" (inquirer.com)
- "Here's how delivery services like Grubhub, Postmates, and Uber Eats are adapting to the coronavirus restrictions and safety precautions" (insider.com)
- "Data Sheet—What DoorDash Plans to Do With Another Half a Billion Dollars of Capital" (fortune.com)
- "DoorDash Contractors Earn Less Than Dogshit, Study Finds" (gizmodo.com)
- "DoorDash Has a New Plan to Make Workers Gamble on How Much They'll Get Paid" (gizmodo.com)
- "DoorDash Has Been Confusing Its Workers About Payments for Nearly Two Years" (gizmodo.com)
- "DoorDash is ready to deliver with new Redwood City commissary kitchen debut" (sfgate.com)
- "DoorDash Wants to Own the Last Mile" (wired.com)
- "DoorDash" (fortune.com)
- "DoorDash Settlement Would Pay a Paltry $130 to Workers Instead of Making Them Employees" (gizmodo.com)
- "Why DoorDash Drivers Are On Strike" (npr.org)
- "My Frantic Life as a Cab-Dodging, Tip-Chasing Food App Deliveryman" (nytimes.com)
- "DoorDash Inc. 2020 Form 10-K Annual Report" (sec.gov)
- "When DoorDash was young: The early years" (vator.tv)
- Official website (doordash.com)
- the company advises (doordash.com)
- 100% of income tipped (doordash.com)
- Guaranteed Earnings Incentive (doordash.com)
- tips to make more (keepertax.com)
- as recommended by Best Referral Driver (bestreferraldriver.com)
- Making Money With DoorDash: How to Start and What ... (nerdwallet.com)
- How Much Does DoorDash Pay? I Tried Delivering to Find ... (nerdwallet.com)
- DoorDash Earn By Time or Order: Which is Best for Dashers? (therideshareguy.com)
Featured Images: pexels.com