Are you looking for a flexible side hustle? Thanks to substantial growth in the on-demand space, you can make money driving in your free time.
This doesn’t simply mean you’re delivering pizza. While food delivery jobs are prevalent, you can perform a variety of tasks with your car to make money on the side.
This guide shares a few of the top ways to get paid for driving your car.
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How Can I Make Money Driving My Car?
There are many opportunities to make extra money, but most apps that pay you to drive have several common requirements to get started.
These include:
- Access to a reliable car
- Active auto insurance
- Clean driving record
- Driver’s license
If you meet those requirements, it’s possible to supplement your income relatively easily. Here are the best opportunities to make money with your car.
1. Get Paid to Deliver Restaurant Orders
Making money delivering food is a traditional way to get paid to drive your car. This opportunity has exploded in recent years, with numerous platforms that pay you to deliver meals from local restaurants.
Delivery app gigs like DoorDash or Uber Eats are fairly similar. A customer places an order within the given app.
With this food delivery job, you accept the order, drive to pick it up at the restaurant, and deliver it to the customer at their home or office.
Customers typically pay within the app, so there’s no exchanging of cash.
Some apps will pay you to deliver via bike or scooter, but this depends on the locality.
There are numerous driving apps that pay you to deliver meals, but DoorDash and Uber Eats are our top-rated services.
DoorDash
DoorDash is a leading on-demand delivery service. The company is in over 7,000 cities nationally, including some international locations.
Independent contractors with the service, known as Dashers, pick up meals and deliver them to customers.
Here are the requirements to drive for DoorDash:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Have valid insurance
- Own an iPhone or Android-based phone
- Must have a government-issued ID
- Need to pass a criminal record check
- Must be able to pass a DMV check if driving a car or motorcycle
- Access to a reliable car
DoorDash driver compensation varies depending on things like tips and items delivered. Evenings and weekends tend to be the top times to earn extra cash.
Read our guide on the best times to DoorDash to learn when to focus your efforts.
Pay is weekly, but you can request an instant payout for a $1.99 fee after completing 25 deliveries.
Better yet, you can schedule your own shifts and work when you like.
Read our DoorDash Driver review to learn more.
Uber Eats
Uber Eats is one of the top delivery apps. The platform is available in 6,000+ cities and 45 countries around the world.
When you deliver with Uber Eats, you pick up orders that you claim within the app and then deliver them to customers. Requirements to deliver with Uber Eats are a bit different than DoorDash.
Here are the requirements to drive with the platform:
- You must be 19 years or older
- Your car must have at least two doors
- The car must not be older than a 1999 model
- You must have a government-issued ID and insurance
- At least one year of driving experience
Both services also require the ability to lift at least 30 pounds.
You can schedule when you deliver with Uber Eats. Earnings are deposited weekly via direct deposit to a linked bank account.
Instant Pay is available, but it carries a fee. If you use the Uber Debit Card, the fee is waived.
*As of 7/18/22, Uber is migrating to a combined Driver & Delivery program that will allow a user to select how they want to earn with Uber, i.e., driving, delivering, or both! This consolidated program will be named Uber “One Earner.” Under this new model, whether a user lands on a Driver or a Delivery page, they’ll have the option to self-select which type of earning opportunity they want.
Read our comparison of DoorDash vs. Uber Eats to learn which of the two driving apps is the best side gig for you.
2. Get Paid to Deliver Groceries
If the thought of having your car smell like fast food is not desirable, you can make money as a personal shopper.
Similar to how food delivery has exploded in recent years, grocery delivery services have also grown. These apps work similarly to DoorDash or Uber Eats.
A customer places an order within the respective app. You accept the order, go to your nearest store to buy the groceries, and deliver them to the customer.
If the store is out of a requested item, you message the customer within the given app to determine what they want.
Instacart Shopper and Shipt Shopper are the two largest companies in the space. They’re also our top-rated platforms for grocery delivery.
Instacart Shopper
Instacart Shopper is the forerunner in the grocery delivery space. This company operates in over 6,000 cities nationwide and in Canada.
The entire shopping process is managed within the app. You receive a list of what the customer wants, and you can communicate with them using the app.
Here are the driver requirements to work with this grocery delivery service:
- 18 years or older
- Valid driver’s license and insurance
- Agree to a background check
- Have a current smartphone
- Able to lift up to 40 pounds
Pay depends on the order total, and you receive a commission based on the total amount. The more expensive the order, the more you can earn.
It’s possible to earn up to $20 per hour with Instacart Shopper. But, you can potentially earn more during busier times. Read our guide on Instacart peak hours to learn more.
Pay is weekly, but you can request an instant payout for a $0.50 fee.
Read our Instacart Shopper review to learn more.
Shipt Shopper
Shipt Shopper is the top job like Instacart Shopper. The company isn’t in as many locations, but it still serves over 5,000 cities.
This platform works like Instacart. Here are the requirements to work with the service:
- 18 years or older
- Valid driver’s license and insurance
- Agree to a background check
- Have a current smartphone
- Able to lift up to 40 pounds
Like Instacart, there are no specific vehicle requirements to work for Shipt Shopper. All you need is a reliable automobile to deliver groceries.
Pay does work a little differently with Shipt Shopper. You receive a base of $5 per order. Additionally, they pay you 7.50 percent of the order total.
For example, if the order comes to $60, you receive $9.50 for your time plus any tip you receive. Pay is up to $20 per hour, but that increases to $22 after you complete 100 deliveries.
Pay is released weekly, but you can request an instant payout for a $1.00 fee. This ranks well with other same day pay jobs.
You also receive a free Shipt membership.
Read our Shipt Shopper review to learn more.
What if you don’t want to deliver groceries? You can still work for Shipt delivering packages.
Shipt Driver is a new service offered by the platform that lets contractors deliver packages to people around town. It operates similar to Amazon Flex and a great way to earn cash.
3. Drive People Around Town
Rideshare apps were the original way to get paid for driving your car. These platforms allow riders to request transportation from one destination to another.
If you don’t mind getting paid to drive people around and live in a decent-sized city, there can be a lot of opportunities to make money.
Given that you have people in your car with you, there is more direct customer service involved. But, if you offer good service, that may help influence better tips.
There are several ride request apps in the space, but Uber and Lyft are our top-rated platforms.
Uber
Uber is one of the biggest rideshare apps in the world. It’s currently in over 10,000 cities across six different continents.
Like other driving apps to make money, once you receive approval to drive with Uber, you can start accepting riders.
Riders request transportation within the Uber app. You will receive a notification of available drives, and then you select the ones you want to complete.
Here are the requirements to drive with this ride request app:
- Must be at least 21 with an active driver’s license
- Drivers under 23 years of age must have three years of driving experience
- Need to have a 4-door car with at least five seat belts
- Must be able to pass a DMV check
- Need to be able to pass a criminal record check
- Must have valid license plates
- The car must be no older than a 2005 model, though it varies on the city and type of car you drive
- Must own an iPhone or Android-based phone
Earnings and tips are paid out weekly. If you use the Uber Debit Card, you can request Instant Pay for no fee.
You can create your own schedule and drive when it’s best for you.
One perk of driving with Uber is that you can also deliver food orders through the Uber Eats platform.
Lyft
Lyft works similarly to Uber. It is available in cities nationwide as well as in international locations.
Once approved to drive for the service, you can begin accepting requests to give people rides.
Here are the requirements to drive with Lyft:
- Must be at least 21 with an active driver’s license (active at least one year)
- Need to pass a DMV check
- Must be able to pass a criminal record check
- Need to have a 4-door car with at least five seat belts
- Must own an iPhone or Android-based phone
- Need to have valid license plates
- Must have a car that’s no older than a 2005 model
There might be additional state or city-based stipulations, but the above requirements will allow most people to drive for Lyft.
When you drive for Lyft, you get offered rides based on locality. The closer you are to the rider, the better. Additionally, you can work on your own schedule.
You get paid for the number of rides you do each week (based on time and mileage) after Lyft deducts their commission.
It is possible to request instant pay for a $0.50 fee. That fee is waived if you link the Lyft Direct debit card to your bank account.
4. Rent Out Your Car
If the idea of spending time in your car for hours is not appealing, you can rent your car out to other drivers to earn cash. With the rise in rental car prices, this idea isn’t far-fetched.
Renting your stuff out for money isn’t a new idea to earn passive income in the gig economy. People have been doing it for years.
If your car sits for hours or days at a time, you can rent your vehicle to drivers who have a short-term need.
Think of renting your car as listing a house you own for rent on VRBO.
Hyrecar is a leading platform to rent out your car. According to the site, you can earn $720 a month, or $8,100 annually, renting your car.
The company vets all drivers, manages payments, and offers 24/7 support. This effectively makes it passive income that you can use for any goals you may have.
Here are the requirements to list your car on HyreCar:
- The car must be registered in the United States
- You must be at least 21 or, if under 25, you must prove at least two years of driving history
- It must be a 2004 model year car or newer
- The car must have less than 130,000 miles
- You must have a clean title
- Must have auto insurance that’s in force
- You will need to provide the license plate number, make and model, and at least one picture of the car to list it
HyreCar provides coverage for the actual cash value of the car, up to $125,000, to offer protection.
*Related: looking for easy ways to earn money? Check out our guide on how to get paid for walking and earn money exercising.*
It’s best to consult with your auto insurer to determine if they will cover your car when it’s rented out. If not, you may be able to find an insurer that will by using The Zebra.
5. Deliver Packages for Amazon
If you don’t want to deliver food or drive people, you can make good money driving for Amazon Flex. As an Amazon Flex driver, you can deliver a wide variety of packages.
Here are the requirements to drive for Amazon Flex:
- Have a driver’s license and car insurance
- Be 21 or older
- Have a mid-sized or larger vehicle
- Own a smartphone that can run the Amazon Flex driver app, which means iPhone 6s or newer or Android 6.0 or higher
After passing a background check, you can deliver local packages. You must schedule shifts (known as blocks) in advance, and each block varies depending on the packages that need to be delivered.
Unlike other courier jobs, there isn’t always availability in all cities.
Most drivers report earning between $18 and $25 per hour. Pay is sent weekly on Tuesday and Friday. However, this opportunity is less likely to earn tips than other driver jobs.
Read our Amazon Flex review to learn more.
6. Help People Move
If you don’t mind physical labor, helping people move is a terrific way to make quick money.
While a site like Craigslist is a good choice to find odd jobs like moving help, Dolly is our top choice to find gigs.
Dolly is an on-demand moving and furniture delivery service. People post their needs on the Dolly site, and you can claim requests that fit within your schedule.
Here are the requirements to work with Dolly:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a valid driver’s license and active auto insurance
- Own a smartphone
- Pass a background check
- Own a pickup truck or cargo van
- Can lift at least 75 pounds
If you don’t own a truck, you can still work with Dolly. You just need to drive to a Dolly location and ride on a truck to a given destination.
Pay is up to $40 per hour, including tips, making it one of the most lucrative ways to drive cars for a living. However, if you don’t have a truck, pay is up to $25 an hour.
Dolly pays twice weekly.
7. Sell Ad Space on Your Car
If you spend a lot of time in your car, using an ad wrapper is an easy way to make money. Advertisers put a “wrap” around your car to promote a certain product.
There are some scammy companies in the car advertising space, so it’s important to do your due diligence.
However, Carvertise and Wrapify are two legitimate options that pay you to drive your car.
Each vendor has its own requirements, but commonalities include:
- You must drive at least 25 miles per day or an average of 800 miles each month
- You have to drive in high-trafficked areas
- The car must be model year 2005, or newer
- It must have the factory paint job
- You must have a clean driving record
Pay depends on where you live, the style of your car, and how much of the car is covered. It’s possible to earn up to $500 monthly advertising on your car.
FAQs for Apps That Pay You to Drive
Driving jobs are some of the best side hustle ideas available. They are often flexible, and you can typically earn good money.
Here are some of the most common questions readers have about getting paid to drive.
How Much Money Can You Make by Driving?
If you are considering driving cars for a living, pay is not static within the driver gig space. Income varies depending on where you live, your ability to work during peak periods, tips, and more.
It’s best to offer good customer service and work during busy times to earn more per hour when you include tips.
Read our guide on the top side job apps if driving isn’t for you.
Do Driving Apps Pay for Gas?
It is not common for platforms to pay for gas expenses. This is also the case for tolls.
You will need to account for these expenses when considering a driving side hustle.
Are You Considered an Employee?
Most driving platforms classify couriers as independent contractors. This means that the only benefit you receive is compensation.
Additionally, there is no way to recoup costs for wear and tear on your car. You will need to keep that in mind when looking at the long-term impact of working for a delivery app gig.
Do You Have to Pay Taxes on the Money You Earn from Driving?
Yes, you must pay taxes on the income you earn from any side hustle. Driving platforms usually classify you as an independent contractor.
As a result, they do not withhold taxes from your pay. You likely will need to pay estimated quarterly taxes on your earnings.
It’s best to consult a tax professional to determine how much in taxes you should withhold from your compensation.
Bottom Line
It is possible to make money driving. These gigs often require little skill and let you choose your own schedule.
As long as you have a good driving record, a reliable car, and flexible availability, any of the above platforms will help you supplement your income.
What do you look for in a driving job?
*Earning more on certain types of orders (ex. alcohol): Earn more per order as compared to restaurant orders. Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries you accept and complete, time of day, location, and any costs. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90 day period and includes compensation from tips, peak pay, and other incentives.
*Get paid instantly (DasherDirect): Subject to approval
*Cash out daily (Fast Pay): Fees apply
*Start Dashing today: Subject to background check and availability
*Dash anytime: Subject to availability
I’m John Schmoll, a former stockbroker, MBA-grad, published finance writer, and founder of Frugal Rules.
As a veteran of the financial services industry, I’ve worked as a mutual fund administrator, banker, and stockbroker and was Series 7 and 63-licensed, but I left all that behind in 2012 to help people learn how to manage their money.
My goal is to help you gain the knowledge you need to become financially independent with personally-tested financial tools and money-saving solutions.
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