20+ DoorDash Driver Tips Every Dasher Must Know! (2023)

In accordance with figures from Glassdoor, DoorDash drivers make $16 an hour on common. Pay can vary anyplace from $3 to $33 an hour although.

Additionally, drivers can earn more cash with promotions and ideas. So, DoorDash can doubtlessly pay effectively, offered what you’re doing.

In case you’re a DoorDash driver, or are pondering of signing up, then you definately’ll wish to maximize your earnings.

DoorDash Driver Ideas: The right way to Make Extra Cash as a Driver

Beneath, I’ll cowl 23 DoorDash ideas drivers can use to make more cash!

So, in case you’re in search of DoorDash driver recommendation, that is the put up for you!

1. Work throughout peak hours

If you wish to earn more money with DoorDash, then be sure you work throughout peak hours.

Principally, that is any time that individuals are inclined to order meals. So, this often means throughout lunchtime and dinnertime.

What’s good about working throughout peak instances is that you could make the most of Peak Pay. This can be a kind of Promotion from DoorDash.

Promotions are further pay that drivers can get for orders that meet sure situations.

One of many promotions that DoorDash makes accessible to dashers are Peak Pay incentives.

When it’s busy, Peak Pay could come into impact.

Peak Pay incentives permit drivers to earn extra throughout busy instances.

Right here’s an instance of a Peak Pay incentive:

• Earn $2 further in San Francisco between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

2. Deliver an insulated meals bag

If you wish to achieve success as a DoorDash driver, then it would be best to present customer support.

One actually easy tip is to make use of an insulated meals bag. It will hold heat meals heat and chilly meals, chilly.

Nobody desires a chilly taco or melted ice cream, proper?

DoorDash does present a bag, however this won’t be giant sufficient for all orders. So, it is best to take into account getting a bigger one. It will probably make your job simpler!

You will discover insulated meals baggage for reasonably priced costs at Walmart and Amazon.

It’s essential use an insulated bag, whether or not that’s the one you get from DoorDash or one you’ve gotten bought elsewhere, or cooler field to maintain meals on the proper temperature.

If a buyer orders scorching gadgets and chilly gadgets, then be sure you hold them separate. Nobody desires a salad steamed on prime of a pizza field, ?

So, hold scorching gadgets and chilly gadgets separate in their very own insulated baggage.

3. Be certain that your telephone is charged

When you’re delivering meals with DoorDash, you don’t want your telephone’s battery to die on you. It will imply you received’t be capable to see any new orders or full your deliveries correctly.

Be sure to get into the behavior of charging your telephone earlier than you begin delivering for DoorDash.

It may be a good suggestion to buy a conveyable telephone charger that you could take along with your in your deliveries. That method, you’ll be able to cost your telephone on the go, and also you don’t have to fret concerning the battery dying on you. It’s a easy tip, however an essential one.

4. Be selective with the orders that you simply settle for

A mistake that many drivers make, notably freshmen, is that they settle for each order accessible. Whereas doing a lot of orders offers you extra incomes alternatives, it’s not all the time good to your hourly earnings.

A very easy tip is to be selective concerning the orders that you simply settle for. This was one of the vital frequent DoorDash driver recommendations on Reddit.

Listed here are some issues to think about when deciding whether or not or to not do an order.

The place the order goes

If an order will take you too far out of the best way, then it may be price skipping. It’s a good suggestion to solely select deliveries that aren’t going too far, and that hold you in a busy space of your city or metropolis.

The restaurant you’re choosing up the meals from

Some eating places are pleasant and respectful in the direction of Dashers, they’ve the meals able to go, they usually don’t waste your time. Others are the other although. It’s greatest to take orders from the great eating places and avoiding accepting orders from the dangerous ones.

If a restaurant all the time takes ages to get the meals prepared, and it leaves you ready round, then your deliveries from that place will take longer.

Which means that you’re making fewer deliveries per hour. It will decrease your earnings.

That’s why, once you see an order, it is best to test to see what restaurant it’s from and resolve whether or not it’s price accepting that order.

If that individual restaurant all the time has the meals able to go, then settle for the order. If it doesn’t then you definately would possibly wish to select one other order as an alternative.

Now, it’s essential to notice that this can solely work for eating places that you simply’ve already been to. As you’ll be able to acquire extra expertise although, you’ll know which eating places are good, and which of them it is best to keep away from.

How a lot the order pays you

You also needs to take into account how a lot the order pays you. It is because you solely wish to settle for orders which might be going to be price your effort and time.

Many Dashers point out on Reddit that they’ve a minimal order payout, they usually received’t go under it. So, this minimal order payout may be $5, and they’re going to solely settle for orders that pay $5 or extra.

I had a browse on Reddit and located a number of totally different minimal payouts that Dashers mentioned they’d settle for.

Many drivers shared the minimal payout quantity they’d settle for in this Reddit thread:

• “I realized from this subreddit to not take something under $6.50 and/or $1 per mile naked minimal.”
• “Nothing underneath $5, attempt to solely do orders which might be $2/mile or near it.”
• “$8 minimal for something underneath 3 miles and $2 per mile. $1/ mile it’s no good for me.”
• “Was once $6.50 (2 miles or underneath, restaurant that has , quick file for pick-up, no flats). With gasoline costs, it’s $7.50.”
• “Nothing underneath $5, nothing underneath $1.25/mile. gasoline costs too rattling excessive for something much less.”
• “$6 is my minimal however I’ll take a $5 run if it’s solely a mile or two
• More often than not I received’t settle for much less then 6$ however typically I’ll take a $5 1 mile order.”
• “I’m rather less choosy within the mornings when it’s slower, however $4.50 is concerning the lowest I’ll go and for 1-2 miles in order that if one thing else comes on one other app I can care for it shortly and get to the subsequent one.”
• “$2 / mile and with ideas.”
• “$1 a mile. Hell no. $2 a mile and min $8.”
• “$7 on a gradual day $8 usually.”
• “Nothing underneath 7.50 for me.”
• “Minimal $6 that may get you 2 miles after which it’s $2 per mile afterwards.”
• “$6.25 and $2/mile.”
• “2 {dollars} per mile nothing underneath 6.50.”
• “Typically nothing underneath $5. $2/mile as a mean. $1.50/mile on the slowest of gradual days.”
• “Typically round $8-$9 is my minimal. I positively don’t go underneath $8 however strive to not go underneath $9 except it’s one thing I can’t refuse like $8 for a 1 mile order.”
• “Now with gasoline costs, nothing underneath $7.”
• “$8 min. For the $8 it must be underneath 3 miles.”

Now, you might not essentially wish to select the very best paying orders on a regular basis. No, additionally, you will wish to take into account how lengthy the order goes to take you to finish.

If an order pays so much, however it’s going to take you some time to finish, then selecting an order that pays slightly decrease however is faster to finish may be a greater choice. This offers you extra time to do different orders, and the extra orders you are able to do per day, the extra you’ll earn.

Many Dashers, particularly freshmen, will settle for each single order they arrive throughout. Whereas your acceptance charge is essential on the platform, it’s additionally essential to maintain your hourly earnings as excessive as attainable.

The easiest way to do this is to be selective with the orders you settle for. So, take into account these components above once you’re deciding which orders to just accept. It will make the orders price your whereas, and you’ll maximize your earnings.

5. Full challenges if they’re accessible in your space

DoorDash is now providing Challenges to Dashers. This program is presently in beta. Not all Dashers will see Challenges of their space, however DoorDash says that its working to increase this within the coming months.

So, it’s price having a test to see if any Challenges can be found in your space.

Challenges are incentives that permit Dashers to earn extra cash for finishing a sure variety of deliveries inside a set period of time.

For instance, you might earn $20 for finishing 15 deliveries over the course of every week (Monday 12:01 a.m. to Sunday 11:59 p.m. native time).

You’re robotically enrolled in lively Challenges that you’re eligible for in your space. So, you don’t must opt-in to take part within the Problem.

You’ll be able to open your Dasher app and choose your place to begin to see if in case you have an lively Problem in your space.

There’ll solely be one lively Problem in a place to begin at any given time interval.

You’ll be able to faucet on the Problem for particulars. On the Problem data display, it is possible for you to to see all the small print concerning the Problem, such because the variety of deliveries which might be required, the times/instances that the Problem is legitimate for, the additional quantity you’ll be able to earn for finishing the Problem, and the beginning factors that the problem is lively in.

Doing these Challenges is an effective option to improve your earnings.

6. Keep away from Walmart orders

Whereas DoorDash is usually referred to as a restaurant meals supply service, it additionally affords Walmart grocery deliveries.

After a lot analysis and seeing what DD drivers must say, the consensus is that it is best to keep away from Walmart orders.

One Redditor says:

• “Walmart orders are a no-go. It’s best to have seen this one coming.. Walmart is a grocery retailer so that you greatest consider that they’re going to need 72 various things, which they’ll need you to ship for $10 or much less typically. It states on the app that it doesn’t embody the tip, they usually’re proper.. most prospects tip low or nothing in any respect for this. It’s ridiculous… Keep away.”

7. Don’t low cost native eating places

Whereas chain-restaurants are good for Dashers too, as a result of they’re widespread so are more likely to get a whole lot of orders, don’t low cost native eating places.

Fairly a number of Dashers point out this on Reddit.

One Redditor says:

• “Discover native eating places which might be solely identified inside a metropolis. For instance, we’ve got one out right here that’s in a wealthy a part of city that has a crap ton of orders from the locals. What the sort of factor permits for is first off, making a relationship with a restaurant and doubtlessly organising offers for catering orders, which i’ve discovered to be fairly helpful, and limits your miles.”

8. Talk with the shopper

The most effective DoorDash driver ideas I can provide you is to speak with the shopper. That is such a great way to supply a greater service to the shopper, and subsequently improve your probabilities of getting tip! Offering good customer support may also improve your Dasher score.

There are a number of instances you would possibly wish to get in contact with prospects.

• Whenever you’re on the best way to get the meals. Sending a fast message to say you’re beginning the supply might be a good suggestion.
• If there’s going to be a delay. If the restaurant is behind with the order, and it’s not prepared to gather but, it may be a good suggestion to let the shopper know. Additionally, if site visitors is dangerous, or there’s building on the street, then let the shopper know that you simply’re going to be slightly late.
• Whenever you’re in your option to the shoppers dwelling. It will permit prospects to look out for you and be prepared to just accept the meals when it arrives. Additionally, you would possibly wish to give the shopper a fast message that you simply’re exterior the home with the meals, notably in case you’re delivering to an condominium. Some individuals who stay in condominium buildings will wish to come down to satisfy you to choose up the meals once you arrive.

You don’t wish to go overboard with messages however preserving the shopper updated with how the supply goes is an effective way to supply nice customer support.

9. Look skilled

It’s actually essential to look skilled on the job.

Once more, this tip was additionally talked about on Reddit.

One Redditor says:

• “As for purchasers, you’re coping with meals that they put of their mouths. It’s best to care and take heed to that always. Current your self decently. Nothing loopy, however like simply look clear/hold your automobile clear.”

You’ll be able to put on these crimson DoorDash t-shirts. However you don’t must. Simply look presentable.

Keep away from issues like slogan t-shirts that some would discover off-putting and political t-shirts too.

Principally, put on one thing skilled, clear, neat, and inoffensive!

Trying presentable can have an effect on how a lot prospects will tip you.

10. Get further gadgets for the shopper

Getting further gadgets for a buyer is a good thought, and a great way to extend your probabilities of getting a tip.

Examples of additional gadgets you’ll be able to decide up for the shopper embody:

• Plastic cutlery
• Sauce packets
• Napkins
• Moist wipes

It can be a good suggestion to maintain some extras in your car.

This Redditor suggests this, saying:

• “Preserve further Utensils&Napkins in your automobile (Typically eating places neglect to place this stuff within the bag.)”

11. Be pleasant and well mannered when making your deliveries

Okay, so to up your earnings, be pleasant and well mannered once you make your deliveries.

Being pleasant and well mannered can up your earnings for 2 causes. Firstly, it could up your score, and having a better score is essential.

Secondly, having a pleasant demeanor may also improve your change of getting a tip! The extra ideas you will get, the extra you’ll be able to increase your earnings. Folks have a tendency to understand a pleasing demeanor.

12. Use a mileage monitoring app

One other tip for DoorDash drivers is to make use of a mileage monitoring app. I discussed bills above, and they’re essential to maintain monitor of. As a Dasher, you’re an unbiased contractor, which is why it is best to monitor bills. Now, this consists of gas prices and put on and tear in your car.

So, it is best to use a mileage monitoring app to log the miles you drive when delivering for DoorDash.

You will get a greater thought of your hourly earnings after prices once you use a mileage monitoring app.

And, you can too deduct enterprise mileage in your tax return.

There are many totally different mileage tracking apps on the market. The most effective choices is Stride as a result of it’s free to make use of.

Right here’s the place you will get the Stride app:

13. Work a number of weekdays too

Whereas driving for DoorDash on the weekend is usually a great way to make money on the side, it’s additionally a good suggestion to strive incomes in the course of the week.

A number of individuals select to make their deliveries on the weekend. So, in case you make deliveries in the course of the week, you’ll doubtless discover that you simply aren’t competing with as many drivers. Folks nonetheless order meals in the course of the week, like after work after they can’t be bothered cooking or on their lunch break. So, this is usually a nice alternative to earn.

There will likely be fewer drivers on weekdays which implies extra orders for you!

In fact, in case your schedule solely means that you can work weekends, then you’ll simply must observe the opposite recommendations on the listing. However, if in case you have the time, checking to see how busy your space is in the course of the week is usually a good option to give your earnings a lift!

If the realm is busy, then take into account performing some deliveries in the course of the week.

14. Verify the order earlier than leaving the restaurant

Okay, so one of many best ways to earn more money on DoorDash is to get extra ideas. The extra ideas you’ll get, the extra you’ll be able to improve your earnings.

So, as I discussed above, there are some things that you are able to do to make sure that you get extra ideas, equivalent to speaking with prospects and utilizing an insulated meals bag.

One other essential tip you’ll be able to observe to make sure you get a tip is to test orders earlier than you permit the restaurant.

Typically, eating places miss off gadgets that the shopper has ordered, and paid for, or they put an merchandise that the shopper hasn’t ordered within the supply by mistake. Prospects received’t be completely satisfied if their supply is lacking gadgets or it incorporates the flawed gadgets. Even when it’s the restaurant’s fault, this will affect your tip and the Dasher score that you simply get from prospects. So just remember to test the order to ensure it incorporates the correct gadgets, and that no gadgets are lacking from the supply.

It will hold the shopper completely satisfied, which will increase your likelihood of getting a tip and score from the shopper.

15. Schedule your Dashes upfront

At some factors, drivers could discover that after they open the Dasher app, they see that their space has sufficient drivers, in order that they aren’t capable of Sprint there.

When an space is already full of drivers, you received’t be capable to make further money.

A method to make sure that you could truly get deliveries on DoorDash, and subsequently generate income, is to schedule deliveries upfront.

Right here’s how you are able to do it:

• Within the Dasher app, go to the “Schedule” tab. In case your Sprint Now button says “Schedule a Sprint,” then you are able to do the scheduling from there as effectively.
• Within the “Accessible” tab, you’ll be capable to see the upcoming days of the week. Choose a day.
• You’ll be able to select a place to begin and accessible instances to your Sprint. In case your most well-liked time isn’t proven that signifies that DoorDash has reached scheduled Dasher capability for that point slot. DoorDash says that it’s always updating, and it suggests checking again later, or selecting one other place to begin.
• When you see a Sprint you want, then faucet on it to pick your most well-liked Begin and Finish Occasions inside the given timeframe.
• Faucet “Save Sprint.”

Then, you may be scheduled to Sprint for that space, day, and time. If it’s essential cancel the sprint, you can too do that inside the app.

Scheduling your Dashes upfront is helpful, notably in busy cities. Additionally, you could possibly take into account Dashing in one other state or close by metropolis to get extra supply alternatives.

16. Don’t waste time ready exterior of 1 restaurant

Ready exterior of 1 restaurant, even a busy one, isn’t going to ensure you a DoorDash supply. Fairly than ready exterior of a single widespread restaurant, attempt to wait in an space the place there are a number of widespread eating places in shut proximity.

That method, when there’s a supply accessible from any of them, you’ll be inside that radius.

For instance, locations in your city which have a number of eating places may very well be downtown or at a mall.

This can assist you to finish extra deliveries.

17. Observe buyer directions

It’s actually essential to observe buyer directions. This easy tip could make an enormous distinction to your rankings and your tip!

As a DoorDash driver, you wish to be sure that you maximize your likelihood of getting a tip from the shopper, and score!

The most effective methods to do that is to observe the shopper’s directions.

For instance, throughout COVID, many purchasers needed contactless supply.

Some prospects would possibly need you to place the meals in a selected place. Others will ask you to not knock, and so on. So, the place attainable, attempt to observe buyer directions.

In case you’re uncertain a few buyer’s directions, then contact them about it to get clarification.

18. Don’t get too caught up on “the very best time to Sprint”

Okay, so above, I discussed that making deliveries throughout peak instances, so like lunchtime and dinnertime, and mixing in some weekday deliveries in case you can have been each good concepts.

Nevertheless, each market is totally different.

One Redditor mentions this, saying:

• “Don’t take heed to individuals’s recommendations on “what time” it is best to sprint. I discover myself doing the other of what everybody says. Each market is totally different, and it takes time to study. Ultimately, you’ll be able to provide you with a daily route for your self and meet your targets shortly. You’ll perceive the habits of the customers. For instance, if individuals receives a commission thursday/fridays, you’ll be able to assume the weekends will likely be busy and issues will begin to die by Wednesday, however that’s my market, yours could also be totally different.”

After driving for DD for some time, you’ll study which instances are usually busier. It will help you drive when there are extra deliveries accessible, and subsequently, earn more money.

19. Go the additional mile

If you wish to give your DoorDash score a lift, then it’s a good suggestion to go the additional mile along with your deliveries.

For instance, you could possibly give buyer small thanks notes the place you point out that you’re grateful for his or her enterprise, after which, politely, ask them to charge you 5 stars.

Additionally, this tip from Reddit is nice in case you actually wish to make sure you’re offering customer support:

• “When delivering the meals, take note of which path the shopper’s door opens so that you don’t block them from opening the door and spilling their meals/drinks. I can not consider how many individuals screw this up. Have a look at the hinges. In case you can see them, good likelihood the door opens in the direction of you, so don’t block the door. Put it to the aspect, straightforward for the shopper to succeed in.”

It’s these little extras that may make an enormous distinction in growing your ideas and the score you get from prospects. So, it may be price slightly further effort to make more cash.

20. Use a rewards bank card

Whenever you drive for DD, or every other supply firm like Amazon Flex or Uber Eats, one in all your greatest bills goes to be gas to your automobile.

Additionally, you would possibly buy gadgets like bottled water and snack meals to refuel between deliveries. That’s why it may be a good suggestion to make use of a rewards bank card that provides you cashback is such a good suggestion.

Cashback bank cards help you earn a reimbursement in your purchases. So, this is usually a good option to earn slightly more money. Additionally, some bank cards even present bonuses to new buyer, which implies you could possibly get free money!

So, it is best to take into account getting a rewards bank card. Simply guarantee that you’ll be able to repay the cardboard earlier than you’re charged any curiosity.

21. Preserve your receipts

It’s actually essential to maintain any receipts for issues related along with your DoorDash work, like gasoline or something you’ve bought for enterprise functions, like an insulated meals bag for instance.

That is good for tax functions. Whenever you work for DoorDash, you’re an unbiased contractor, so it is best to hold receipts for any bills

In case you have these receipts for issues like gasoline and meals baggage, you’ll be able to write off your bills in your taxes. This could decrease your taxable earnings.

22. Use a number of apps

All the ideas above will make it easier to to earn extra on DoorDash, however I’ve a option to make much more money, in case you’re prepared to join a number of totally different delivery apps.

With this tip, somewhat than delivering with only one app, you employ all the supply apps in your market on the similar time.

For instance, if DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub are all accessible in your market, then join them.

Whenever you wish to make deliveries, activate all three apps and settle for orders from all of them. Attempt to decide orders which might be moving into the identical basic path. Doing this will considerably improve your earnings.

By utilizing a number of totally different supply apps, you’ll be able to improve the variety of deliveries you get, and may increase your earnings by finishing extra deliveries.

For instance, in case you get 2 orders in an hour from DoorDash, but in addition get one from Uber Eats and one from Grubhub, you’ll be able to full 4 deliveries inside an hour as an alternative of two.

In case you get $5 per supply, you could possibly earn $20 an hour for the 4 deliveries, somewhat than simply $10 an hour in case you had solely completed the two DoorDash orders.

In case you might make 6 deliveries in an hour, you could possibly earn $30 an hour.

To determine how a lot you can also make, decide what number of orders you’ll be able to full in an hour, and what you suppose you’ll be able to common per supply.

23. Reap the benefits of Quick Pay (however solely when vital)

Dasher has a number of totally different cost choices, together with weekly direct deposit, and Quick Pay.

Dasher Quick Pay is obtainable in america and choose components of Canada.

Quick Pay might be nice once you want cash shortly as a result of it permits Dashers to money out their earnings each day, somewhat than having to attend for his or her weekly direct deposit.

To make use of Quick Pay, you will need to have a debit card, not a pay as you go card, on file.

If you wish to receives a commission the identical day, then you might wish to give Fasy Pay a strive.

Nevertheless, it’s essential to notice that Quick Pay will not be free. You need to pay a payment of $1.99.

In case you don’t need the money right away, then wait every week as an alternative, and also you’ll save your self some cash.

Closing Ideas

Driving for DoorDash is usually a good aspect hustle, offered what ideas and tips to observe. So, give our DoorDash ideas a try to begin earning profits!