Bottom Line
Since its launch in 2014, Uber Eats has grown into one of the most popular food delivery services.
It has its challenges and frustrations, but it can be an excellent side hustle with a bit of consistency and dedication.
The Pros:
- You can earn more through promotions
- Work at almost any hours
- Drivers get 100% customer tips
The Cons:
- The pay is not that high
- The app can be glitchy on older smartphones
Over the last few years, the demand for food delivery services is continually rising, with companies like Grubhub and UberEats having a massive share.
This review will cover everything there is to know about Uber Eats, including the amount you can earn as a driver and more.
What Is Uber Eats?
It is a service that originated from the popular rideshare app “Uber.”
Uber Eats is based in Francisco and is currently among the on-demand food delivery platforms.
It allows customers to order the food they want from their favorite local restaurant quickly and easily.
The main goal of Uber Eats is to make eating effortless generally for everyone who enjoys the comfort of home deliveries.
How Much Can You Make As An Uber Eats Driver?
Working as an Uber Eats driver is a flexible way to earn extra money during your spare time.
The signup process is pretty straightforward, and the mobile app is highly user-friendly.
You can quickly and easily get the instructions for picking and delivering orders to your customers.
Unlike most delivery apps, you don’t have to schedule your working hours in advance on Uber Eats.
It may not be the highest paying side hustle, but drivers can earn a decent amount with the required effort.
In case you might be asking yourself:
Uber Eats drivers do not earn a flat hourly rate; instead, they are paid per delivery.
The pay formula used is not entirely clear due to the different factors involved, such as the location you are delivering in, time, and more.
If you choose to work as an Uber Eats driver, your earnings per delivery consist of:
● Base Pay
It is determined by the time, distance, pickup, and drop-off. Large orders at busier restaurants tend to offer a higher base pay.
● Trip Supplement
It is the latest addition to the Uber Eats Driver pay formula meant to make every trip worthwhile.
Trip supplement generally lowers the base pay overall, but it mainly supplements deliveries that may not pay as well.
● Promotions
Uber Eats Driver offers two promotions, Surge, and Boost, which multiply the amount you can make.
They are mainly available on the app during busier hours. If you get an order with both promotions available, you get the higher of the two.
Before accepting an order, there is an upfront guaranteed minimum but, you can only view the total amount once an order is complete.
Uber Eats drivers also get to keep 100% of their tips which can be paid through the app or in cash during delivery.
Overall, Uber Eats drivers make an average of $8 to $15 per hour, a pretty wide range.
However, this depends on when and where you are delivering. Busier times like evenings, major sporting events, and holidays net higher pay.
Uber Eats Driver Requirements
For you to qualify and start working as an Uber Eats driver, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Meet the minimum driving age in your state or city
- At least one year of driving experience in the U.S. and three years of experience if you are below 23 years.
- Have a valid U.S. driver’s license
- Have a 4-door vehicle that meets Uber Eats standards
- If you are delivering using a car, you need proof of vehicle insurance. However, it is not required for bicycle couriers.
That is not all:
You will also need to prove residency in your city and state and pass a driver screening that takes 3-5 days.
The screening includes a background check to look into your criminal history and driving record.
How To Become An Uber Driver
If driving for Uber Eats interests you, you can sign-up and start working in the following steps:
Step 1: Sign Up
You will need to sign up online on Uber, where you will be prompted to download the free app available for both Android and iOS users.
If you are already driving for Uber, you can skip this process since you can use the app for both services.
Step 2: Register As A Driver
If you don’t have an account, create one and provide the necessary details, including name, address, date of birth, and social security number (SSN), for tax purposes.
You will also be required to upload the documents needed for a background check.
Step 3: Set Your Preferences
To ensure flawless payments, link your checking or savings account information to your profile.
It is important to note that Uber Eats driver does not allow new workers to start driving without setting up the payment method.
You can also enjoy immediate cashouts using the Instant Pay option. To use it, you need to connect a debit card.
How To Use The Uber Eats App
Once you sign up and get everything set, you can start accepting and delivering orders to your customers.
The app uses your location to help you find orders near you. When a customer makes an order, it will pop up if you are in that area.
You see:
When a new order appears, you have to accept it within 15 seconds, or it goes to another available driver.
If you choose to accept, the app provides you with all the details you need, including directions and instructions to make a successful delivery.
Some restaurants have partnered with Uber allowing customers to pay for their orders through the app.
For non-partner restaurant orders, Uber Eats provides drivers with an Uber Plus Card to pay.
After picking up an order, tap “Start Trip” in the app to get a map to your delivery location.
The customer receives a notification when the driver is close to help avoid wastage of time. After completing the delivery, swipe “Complete Trip.”
Tips To Maximize Your Income As An Uber Eats Driver
The pay on Uber Eats may not be the best or highly sustainable, but you can increase your income with the following tips:
- Keep a lookout for the Surge and Boost promotions which can tremendously boost how much you make in a single delivery.
- Treat your customers with courtesy and act friendly. This can make a difference in the tips you get.
Uber Eats vs. Grubhub
Uber Eats (4.1) | Grubhub (4.0) |
---|---|
$8-$15 hourly | $10-$15 hourly |
User-friendly mobile app | User-friendly mobile app |
Driver gets 100% tips | Driver gets 100% tips |
Conclusion
Driving for Uber Eats will not make you rich, but you can make a decent amount of money for things like car maintenance and holiday spending.
Uber Eats is an efficient way to supplement your primary source of income and save up for school or clear a debt.