If you want to become an Uber driver but are put off by tales about drunk passengers, you can make money by transporting food instead of people with the company’s meal delivery service.
Here’s a guide to how to get started as an Uber Eats delivery driver.
Is Uber Eats in your area?
Uber Eats is available in select U.S. cities — big ones like New York as well as smaller ones like Bozeman, Montana — and it keeps adding locations. Check its website to see if it's available in your city or state.
Driver requirements
Delivery workers with Uber are not subject to the same rules and regulations as regular drivers for Uber or Lyft. Your car doesn’t need to have four doors or meet additional requirements to start working for Uber Eats.
You have to at least 19 years old to deliver via scooter and car, or 18 to deliver on a bike. Here are a few other things you'll need:
A method of transportation Depending on your city, you can make Uber Eats deliveries with a car, scooter or bike. Any two- or four-door car will work, as long as you hold a driver’s license, insurance and registration for it. A scooter must have a motor under 50cc. You also can deliver on a bike, provided you specify that as your delivery method when you sign up.
Insurance You should have enough insurance for your vehicle. Uber provides up to $1 million of liability insurance during deliveries; it covers you from the moment you take a job to when you complete it. Between rides, you get some injury and liability coverage, but not much. Let your personal insurance company know you're delivering for Uber, since the policy may be canceled if the company finds out. Discuss the amount and kind of insurance you need for the period between deliveries.
A smartphone You can use any smartphone that supports the Uber app. You need to have a robust data plan because you’ll be using either the Uber app or a navigation app during the entire work time.
A background check Create an account with Uber Eats. Once you upload a few documents to your account, Uber will perform a background check, which can take several days.
You may also need to buy additional gear, such as an insulated bag for food.
How to sign up
To get started, download the Uber app. If you already drive for Uber, you can start making deliveries now through the same app.
If you’re new to Uber and want to only make deliveries, you have to take these additional steps:
1. Register and complete forms If you don't have an account, create one on the Uber app or online. Fill out any necessary information and upload any documents you need for the background check.
2. Set your preferences To receive your earnings, you can link your profile to a checking or savings account, as well as a debit card if you wish to use Instant Pay. For navigation, you can use the Uber app. To use an alternative one such as Google Maps or Waze, you can change the default in the Settings tab on the Uber app.
Once your background check clears and your method of payment is set up, you can start making deliveries.
How orders work
The pickup and delivery process is straightforward.
1. Go online. You can take deliveries at any time by clicking into the app. The app will display food delivery requests near you.
2. Accept deliveries. When deliveries become available, you can accept. Occasionally, you may get another request to pick up another order at the same restaurant, or a nearby restaurant, and deliver both. If you accept both, you will pick up both orders and deliver them in the order you received them.
3. Pick up the food. Check that you have the correct order before you head out to deliver. Everything is paid for by the customer, so there's no need to handle any money. If there’s a mixture of hot and cold foods, try to keep them separate. Store the food upright and in a position where it’s unlikely to fall over. An insulated food bag is great for this.
Navigate to the location using Uber's suggested route, or your preferred app. You and the customer will receive an estimated time for the delivery. There’s no required window for you to complete your delivery, and you won’t be penalized for traffic delays.
4. Deliver. Once you reach your destination, check in the app for any notes the customer may have left, such as the apartment number or whether a roommate can receive the order.
5. Complete the order. Once you’ve delivered the order, complete the job in the app.
Repeat the process for as many deliveries as you want. The app will notify you of deliveries for as long as you’re online. To take a break and stop receiving delivery alerts during that time, you have to go into the app’s trip menu and switch your status to go offline. You won't be penalized for doing this; you just won't be offered deliveries until you switch your status back on.
How much does Uber Eats pay?
There’s no set price for delivering with Uber Eats. Instead, the payment per trip is calculated through a formula that takes into account factors including distance and the delivery fees that the customer pays.
After each delivery is completed, the customer has the opportunity to tip you through the app, and give you a rating according to a system similar to the one for Uber drivers.
You can earn extra money by delivering in “surge zones.” These show up on the app’s map during busy times.
If you'd rather transport groceries, learn how much Instacart pays.
How do you get your money?
Payments are made weekly to your linked direct deposit account. Uber also offers Instant Pay, which lets you transfer your earnings to a debit card up to six times per day. You also can view your earnings at any time by clicking on the “Earnings” tab in the app.
