DoorDash Driver Review: Earn More Money Delivering In 2025

doordash driver review how to become a doordash driver and make money as a dasher
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As you can guess, this DoorDash Driver Review will show you how to earn money while driving in your spare time.

Nowadays, DoorDash is the largest USA company offering food delivery services on demand.

If you need to boost your income with extra cash, driving for DoorDash will help you achieve that goal.

Becoming a dasher is an opportunity that will attract you by offering flexible hours and a light working schedule.

Today, I’ll walk you through the process of becoming a DoorDash driver, and you’ll see what to expect from this side hustle:

  • Why should you become a dasher?
  • How can I start working as a DoorDash driver?
  • Can you make $500 a week with DoorDash?
  • Is DoorDash legit?

This post contains affiliate links – take a look at my affiliate disclosure.

What Is DoorDash?

what is doordash

In short, DoorDash is a company that has been offering food delivery services for years (since 2013). Overall, DoorDash is responsible for over 50% of all meal deliveries in the USA daily, making it the most popular corporation in its market.

The DoorDash services are available in nearly 10,000 cities in the United States, Germany, Japan, Canada, and other countries. Subsequently, it’s no surprise that the company triumphs over its biggest competitors in the field, such as Uber Eats and Postmates.

With that said, let’s skip the rest of DoorDash’s history and focus on more essential matters in this DoorDash driver review:

I’m talking about the earning opportunities DoorDash provides to anyone who would like to join it.

Why Should You Become A DoorDash Driver?

Quite frankly, there are plenty of reasons why working as a DoorDash driver (dasher) is a great idea.

Working for DoorDash is more than a decent side job for people who enjoy driving. DoorDash offers a generous pay rate to its dashers, and all drivers have flexible working hours:

Each dasher can schedule their driving hours in advance thanks to the option Scheduling A Dash (choosing a day and time to work in the app and placing yourself on the schedule).

Simultaneously, you can decide to make money fast by opening the DoorDash driver app and clicking Dash Now. That works best at the time window when there is a high demand for orders.

See Other Ways To Earn Cash Fast:

How Does DoorDash Work?

Two DoorDash apps exist – a food delivery app for customers and a driver app for workers. Both are free to download.

As you can probably guess, clients use the DoorDash delivery app to order whatever they need. For example, they can demand delivery of restaurant meals, gourmet cakes, liquor, pet food, and even office supplies.

Once an order comes in, a dasher using the driver DoorDash app can accept it. Then, the dasher will pick up the order and deliver it to the customer.

DoorDash drivers can get push notifications to earn extra income by snatching more deliveries. All money exchanges happen through the app, including the tips you get as a Door Dash driver.

Is DoorDash Legit?

is doordash legit

I include such a paragraph because I want my DoorDash driver review to be complete.

Yes, DoorDash is a legitimate food delivery company with a long history and millions of clients from the USA and other countries.

Moreover, the company will provide you with a legitimate opportunity to earn a decent hourly pay rate and work on your own schedule.

While not every DoorDash honest review is glowing, offering your driving services to this platform is worth the time and effort.

How Much Do DoorDash Drivers Make?

At the time of writing this DoorDash driver review, the company doesn’t pay any hourly rate to its dashers. Instead, workers earn per order and receive the whole amount of their tips.

Your monthly earnings will vary depending on how busy you would like to be as a dasher.

Some factors affecting your daily DoorDash income are the number of hours you’ll drive, the times of day you’re working, and where you live.

On average, dashers make between $15-$25 per hour. However, I’m here to tell you that you can earn more than that.

See Also: 37 Jobs That Offer An Hourly Rate Of $40

DoorDash Driver Pay: How Much Does DoorDash Pay?

Before we go any further, I want to cover some important information about the structure of the DoorDash driver pay.

A few years ago, the company made drastic payment changes and implemented a new pay model. Since then, DoorDash drivers can keep 100% of their customer tips.

That sounds great, but what else should you know about making money with DoorDash?

Your total earnings will combine your base pay, promotions, and tips. Here is how that works:

  • Base Pay: Each delivery order includes a minimum payment (base pay) between $2-$10. Looking at your dasher app will let you see the exact base pay of every order before you accept it.
  • Promotions: Think of promotions as ways to take advantage of Peak Pay. Peak Pay is available during the busiest hours and adds up to $5 to your earnings. Your app will cover some areas in red with a plus sign and a specific amount of extra money.
  • Tips: Feel free to accept any tips a customer will be willing to give you – that whole amount is yours, as you already know.

Can You Make $500 A Week With DoorDash?

Yes, it turns out that you can earn $500 a week as a DoorDash driver.

Earlier, I mentioned that dashers make up to $25 per hour, but that’s just the base pay.

If you add the extra cash you’ll earn from Peak Pay and your tips, your income will increase – there is no doubt about it.

More Side Hustles That Pay Just As Well:

How To Make Extra Money With DoorDash?

How about I share tricks and ideas to help you earn more with DoorDash?

  • Always Check The Promos Tab For Available Challenges: A DoorDash challenge is the fastest way to make more money as a dasher. For instance, a typical challenge will prompt you to complete 15 weekly deliveries to earn an extra $20.
  • Make The Best Of Peak Pay: I’m well aware that you won’t always be available to work during peak times. Still, take advantage of the Peak Pay option every time you have a chance to do it.
  • Maximize Your Tips: Being efficient with delivery and friendly to the client will often positively impact the tips you’ll receive. Another way to boost the tip is by bringing napkins and adding something extra to the order, like sauce or mints. Also, larger orders usually result in better tips.
  • Accept More Than One Order: Sometimes, delivery orders will be close to each other. Use that opportunity to make two deliveries at a time and earn more money working in busier areas.

DoorDash Driver Requirements

You have to meet certain requirements to become a dasher.

Take a look at everything DoorDash needs from you before it allows you to start working on deliveries:

  • Must be at least 18 years old or older
  • Have access to a bicycle (in some cities), scooter, or car (you can do deliveries on foot as well)
  • In case you deliver via car, you need a driving license, car insurance, and no major driving violations for the past seven years
  • Agree to go through a criminal background check
  • Social Security Number if you’ll deliver in the USA

DoorDash Driver Expenses

Prepare to deal with expenditures for gas, vehicle maintenance, cell phone, parking, and items to keep the food hot once you become a DoorDash driver.

On rare occasions, you might have to pay for roadside assistance if you find yourself in a situation that requires it.

Now, every dasher can take the standard mileage deduction to decrease the expenses to a certain degree.

To clarify, a DoorDash driver is an independent contractor. As such, you’ll have to face a 15% self-employment tax plus the income tax of your other income (if you have any).

With that said, DoorDash will assist you with filing your taxes. You won’t have to overpay for these taxes if you claim any available deduction and track your miles.

How To Become A DoorDash Driver: Steps To Become A Dasher

It’s time for my DoorDash driver review to walk you through becoming a dasher.

DoorDash connects clients with drivers and restaurants (or grocery stores) in a specific area. You’ll use your phone and driver’s DoorDash app to choose, accept, and deliver orders.

Each payment happens through the app – there will be no cash exchange between dashers and customers (except for tips).

So, let me show you all the steps you’ll need to take to start working for DoorDash:

1) Sign Up To Be A DoorDash Driver

how to become a dasher sign up and fill out an application

Generally, the sign-up process for DoorDash takes up to five business days. However, the completion rate might be different if a large number of applications go in at the same time.

In any case, you can complete your registration in less than two weeks.

Download the DoorDash driver app or visit the official DoorDash website to begin the process and provide info like your name and phone number. Next, click the Become A Dasher button.

2) Fill Out An Application

After choosing to become a dasher, you’ll move on to providing some basic information about yourself. The data you’ll have to share is your name, phone number, and zip code.

Later on, DoorDash will put you through the background check. Be ready to write down your vehicle details and prove you have an active driving license.

Also, you’ll need to provide your license and social security number so the company can complete the background check.

In addition, make sure to leave your bank account information for receiving your future DoorDash earnings as a new driver.

3) Receive Your DoorDash Activation Kit

Assuming that you pass the background check successfully, the next step is getting the DoorDash Activation Kit to the address you provided to the company.

That Activation Kit contains items you’ll need to do the job.

Among the items are a hot bag (to store the food until its delivery), a DoorDash Red Card (prepaid debit card to handle the tips and the payment), and a DoorDash Getting Started Manual.

4) Start Making Deliveries

doordash driver review how to complete order deliveries as a dasher

Believe it or not, you can begin completing order deliveries as soon as your background check clears up. Considering it might take a couple of days for the DoorDash Activation Kit to arrive, waiting for it will only cost you precious time.

Using the DoorDash driving app is a good idea to make your job for the company as easy as possible – the app comes with GPS directions to and from different restaurants.

You know how to pick, accept, and complete orders, so I’ll not repeat that information. Instead, let’s move on to the final step:

5) Getting Paid With DoorDash

You’ll see your earnings inside your DoorDash driver app after you complete the first of many customer orders. Be careful when you get a text message through the app – you don’t want to arrive at the wrong address and find yourself in an unfamiliar apartment complex for no apparent reason!

Like the online jobs that pay weekly, DoorDash pays your money every few days. Payments are available via direct deposit to your bank account.

Dashers in the USA can take advantage of the Fast Pay option. Fast Pay will allow you to get your earnings instantly but also charges you $1.99 to cash out.

Earning Tips For New Delivery Drivers

  • Deliver During Peak Hours: As a delivery service provider, it is essential to take a particular shift as a dasher during a specific time of day. Choose the best time slots and work hours to accept available orders and maximize your earnings.
  • The number of deliveries you make is not the most important thing: The point of starting side jobs like delivery gigs is to earn good money while working on your own hours. Your acceptance rate as a driver doesn’t have to be the best one – it’s better to go after fewer higher-paying gigs than booking all available options.
  • Do Your Best To Earn Good Tips: All new dashers should know they don’t have to pay any delivery fees since DoorDash is one of the best delivery apps to join as a driver. Still, they can earn a little bit more by trying to get a better tip. Being polite and attentive to clients is an easy way to do that.

DoorDash Reviews

As a DoorDash driver review, this article covers the company from the POV of the delivery drivers. It wouldn’t hurt to look at DoorDash as a whole in the delivery space:

Most takes on DoorDash available online are positive reviews – the customer rating is near excellent. Generally, it’s hard to find a bad rating when researching DoorDash online.

Be that as it may, some dashers point out that sometimes they experience glitches while using the DoorDash app, especially during the first week of downloading it.

Nevertheless, working for DoorDash seems like a great side hustle to boost your income – don’t expect free food, though!

See Also: Best Side Hustles For Men

DoorDash Pros And Cons

Pros:

  • Fun Job For Drivers: Anyone who loves to spend time behind the wheel will appreciate the opportunity to earn while driving.
  • Flexible Working Hours: Dashers are the ones to choose when to work and for how long.
  • Simple Payment Options: DoorDash will offer a couple of ways to easily receive your money.
  • Weekly Payments: The company will pay you on Monday of every week.
  • Cash Back On Gas Purchases: Each dasher with the DasherDirect Business Prepaid Visa Card will earn 10% cash back on their gas expenses.

Cons:

  • No Flat Pay Rate: Working for DoorDash doesn’t come with a flat pay rate. However, the company more than makes up for that with the rest of the earning opportunities it provides.
  • There Will Be Driving Expenses: Being a dasher means facing an extra cost while doing this job.
  • Not For Everybody: If you hate driving or don’t drive at all, DoorDash is not for you.

DoorDash Alternatives

DoorDash is not the only company you can sign up for convenience stores and restaurant deliveries – you have other options to consider.

Postmates, Uber Eats, and Instacart are the biggest of DoorDash’s competitors.

They offer earnings similar to the average DoorDash payouts. Of course, your earnings depend on many factors regardless of the company you choose to deliver for.

Is DoorDash worth it? Quite frankly, whether working for the company is worth it is something to decide on your own after testing its waters.

FAQs

What Is The First Step To Become A Dasher?

Your first step to becoming a DoorDash driver will be to sign up to work for the company.

You can do that on DoorDash’s site or by downloading the DoorDash Driver App.

How To Earn Money With DoorDash?

Generally, you can start earning money with DoorDash by accepting and completing food delivery orders – you can do that in your spare time.

Is DoorDash A Stressful Job?

No, working for DoorDash is not a stressful job as long as you enjoy driving and delivering meals to the customers.

Are There Any DoorDash Driver Complaints?

Most DoorDash reviews you can find online are positive.

Sometimes, dashers might complain that DoorDash Fast Pay is not working. But that happens with other payment options from time to time, too.

How Much Money Do Dashers Make A Week?

On average, dashers earn between $10-$25 per hour.

That amount will increase if you work more hours and use the Peak Pay opportunity to deliver orders during the busiest hours.

Plus, dashers keep the total amount of their tips for themselves.

DoorDash Driver Review: My Closing

I have nothing else to say in this article for now.

I’m always here if you have any questions, though:

Maybe you need some extra info or clarification?

Then, use the comments section below, and we’ll talk further about DoorDash.

Other Money-Making Ideas Anyone Can Try

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