Doordash is a great way to earn additional income as a driver, but there are some basic things you need to know before you get started. Whether you’re just starting as a delivery driver or have been working with Doordash for a while, here are 12 essential tips that will help you succeed as a Doordash driver:
Age
You must be at least 18 years old and have access to a reliable vehicle to drive for Doordash. If your car doesn’t meet the requirements, consider renting one through services like Hyrecar or Zipcar.
Car condition
It’s essential that your car is in good condition and has all the necessary safety features (such as a backup camera, anti-lock brakes, and airbags). Also, your car must be registered, inspected, and insured.
It would help if you had a smartphone
It would help if you had a smartphone to use the Doordash app. The good news is that you can use any phone as long as it’s capable of running the Doordash app effectively. However, you should consider getting a newer model with better specs if you plan on using Doordash for an extended period or driving during peak hours when traffic is higher.
Background checks are done
If your background check returns positive, you will receive an invitation from Doordash to set up your account. Once this happens, make sure to fill out all the necessary details and upload the required documents (such as a photo of your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and proof of vehicle registration).
You need certain licenses
Before driving for Doordash, ensure you have obtained all necessary licenses – such as food handler permits, special event licenses (if applicable), etc. You should also take care of any outstanding traffic tickets or parking violations to avoid paying fines while working with Doordash.
Orders must be verified
Remember that you need to verify every order with the customer before picking it up since they might decide to wait to accept it after you arrive at their location. Also, review each order carefully before accepting them to avoid picking up the food you cannot deliver.
The cashless system
Once the customer confirms their order, they head to the restaurant or store and pick up their food. Doordash is considered a “cashless system,” so ensure you have a card to pay for the customer’s order (and tip yourself) at checkout. Most restaurants do not accept cash unless they are part of an omnichannel program with Doordash.
Doordash offers assistance in crisis
If you run into any issues while picking up or dropping off orders – such as having your car towed by the police or getting stuck in traffic – be sure to contact Doordash immediately. They will be able to help resolve the issue and get you going again as quickly as possible.
Note peak traffic hours
Delivery times vary depending on the area and traffic conditions, so review each order before accepting it to understand what your customer is expecting. Also, remember that there are peak delivery hours when traffic tends to be higher (such as between noon and 4 pm). If you don’t want to waste time stuck in traffic during these busy periods, consider signing up for a less popular delivery shift (such as morning or evening deliveries).
Customers can give public reviews
The Doordash app also allows customers to rate drivers after every delivery, so do your best to provide excellent service at all times if you want to get more orders from them – especially since this rating will appear next to your name when customers are browsing delivery drivers on the app.
Some customers tip
Customers can also tip you directly in cash at the end of each delivery but remember that this is optional, and they will not be charged for it by Doordash. It’s always best to leave a good impression after every job so that your customers will want to tip you more often – especially if they have set their default tip amount as “big tips only.”
Track your expenses
Finally, do your best to keep track of all receipts and expenses related to driving for Doordash (such as gas and vehicle maintenance costs) since you can claim them as deductions on your yearly tax return if you exceed a certain threshold ($600 or 10% of your income, whichever is greater). This will help you save money on taxes and reduce the amount you need to pay overall.
The bottom line
If you’re new to Doordash, take advantage of their free delivery guarantee – which means you won’t have to pay for any deliveries that go over 15 minutes or are not completed by another driver. If this is a career path you’re considering you can, see how to make more money with doordash.
Doordash also offers a variety of incentives like extra bonuses and referral rewards (when your friends sign up using your promo code) so that you can earn more money while driving for them. Remember to keep track of all receipts related to driving for Doordash so that you can claim tax deductions when it comes time to file your yearly returns.