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There are endless opportunities for people who look for a side gig to make extra cash. Some gigs require certain qualifications to become a translator, tutor, writer, or consultant. You can also find a gig economy job and work as an independent contractor, making good earnings whenever you have time with no previous experience required. Independent contractors can work with ridesharing, courier companies, and other delivery services. Gig workers get paid per hour and can enjoy a flexible schedule, thanks to which many people opt for delivery driver jobs.

Delivery gigs let people choose their preferred work hours and location, which is ideal for those who already have the primary income or have to study in the university. If you seek a new opportunity in life, read on to learn about the best delivery apps and their requirements.

Best gig jobs

During the pandemic, delivery companies have expanded and introduced many services for their customers. Now, it is not only big courier companies delivering the parcels but also widely popular smaller service providers. You can also find jobs delivering groceries from supermarkets to customers’ doors. Additionally, you can register on a food delivery app and get your first order almost immediately. You can start delivering whatever your side gig app tells you to bring and earn sufficient money even after a few hours of work.

When it comes to the requirements, it depends on the company. Some apps will want you to prove you have driving experience, while other delivery apps will specify what models of cars are acceptable.

Ridesharing drivers

One of the most popular choices of many is to work for alternative taxi providers like Lyft and Uber. As a gig worker, you will probably have only limited time to work on your second job, so ridesharing services can really benefit you in choosing your preferred work schedule. Uber and Lyft have set requirements that are easy to meet, so once you download the driver app and confirm all documents, you will be able to start earning money.

When working as a Lyft or Uber driver, you will have a chance to meet many great people, explore and travel around the city in your free time, and earn good money, thanks to numerous bonuses the companies provide.

Uber

Uber is continually expanding its market, and if you have Uber in your area, you should definitely give it a try. Uber drivers receive an attractive bonus during the registration, so make sure to get a referral code before confirming your account (or you can add it later in the app). New Uber gig drivers will notice a message saying they can earn a certain amount of money when around 50 or 100 rides are completed. Look out for that notification, and you will have a great chance of making easy money just by driving people around.

To start your driving gig, you need a valid driver’s license and should be at least 21 years of age with one year of driving experience. Another essential requirement is to pass Uber’s background check. Make sure to check the rules of ridesharing in your state to be up-to-date with the latest changes.

And there are various types of Uber services you can join provided your car meets the requirements. If you do not own a car but are willing to start working right away, check out available rental vehicles in HyreCar.

• UberX – To become an UberX driver, your car needs to be of the year 2002 or newer, have four doors, and seats for at least four passengers. Your vehicle should be in good condition.
• UberXL – For UberXL, your vehicle should be 2002 or newer with four doors and in good condition. Since it is an XL service, you can have seats for at least six people.
• UberSELECT – It is a more luxurious service, and you will need a vehicle of the year 2009 or newer with a leather interior and seats for at least four passengers. Since it is an entry-level luxury car, your rides will be more expensive than UberX and XL.
• UberBlack – As the name suggests, you need a black vehicle of the year 2012 or newer. Note that the interior should also be black.
• UberSUV – It is a more prestigious version of UberXL with a 2012 or newer car. Note that the interior and exterior should be black.
• UberLUX – It is the most premium service with 2012 or newer high-class cars for at least four passengers.

Once you start your journey, you can choose the most profitable hours in your city to work, and you can earn even up to $15-$19 and more per hour, thanks to bonuses and increased rates. However, the payment per hour varies in different cities and hours. Uber rewards its drivers for loyalty and hard work, so you can expect to see various bonuses and increased salaries over time. Some of the best hours to work are in the morning and late evening, especially on Friday and Saturday when everyone wants to go out. Although it can really depend on your city, so make sure you observe what’s currently happening.

It is recommended to track your expenses and see how much money is left after paying for car insurance, petrol, and other minor costs. Usually, the overall expenses shouldn’t be higher than 20-30% of your earnings.

Lyft

Starting your new gig with Lyft is similar to Uber’s process. There is also a background check that you need to pass, which includes reviewing your driving history and checking your criminal background, and Lyft also checks your insurance and valid driver’s license. Note that some states may require a car inspection before being allowed to work.

When it comes to your vehicle, it should have four doors, be in good condition, and the year of production depends on the ride mode you will be providing. Another thing to remember is that requirements highly depend on your state, and before registering, make sure to check the latest information. Among the basic rules, you should be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and pass a background check.

• Lyft – It is the standard option for drivers as they need to have a car for up to three passengers.
• Lyft Shared – This mode allows passengers to book a carshare when headed in the same direction.
• Wait & Save – The riders have an opportunity to book a ride in advance for a cheaper price.
• Priority Pickup – Priority drivers have to provide faster service by arriving at a pick-up spot as soon as possible. Such a ride comes at a higher cost.
• Preferred – This mode requires a standard vehicle for up to three passengers. Moreover, the passenger can choose the temperature of the car, a more spacious vehicle, and a bigger trunk for luggage.
• Lux – This service requires a better-looking car with a leather interior. The number of passengers remains up to three.
• Lux Black – Like Uber, your elite vehicle needs to have a black interior and exterior with leather seats for a Lux Black mode. Your car should have seats for up to three passengers.
• Lyft XL – For this ride, you need a bigger vehicle that can take up to five passengers.
• Lux Black XL – For this upgraded XL ride, your premium vehicle needs to be spacious enough for up to five passengers, have a leather black interior and exterior.

If you cannot afford to purchase a car right away but would like to start working immediately, there is a great possibility to rent someone’s vehicle from HyreCar and start making money.

In order to maximize your earnings with Lyft, it is useful to review the trip before accepting it, especially if you work during the rush hours with heavy traffic. Observe what are the most profitable hours in your city, and focus on driving passengers when they most need it. Some rides can pay more per hour, and Lyft has reward programs that will motivate you to stick to your gig job.

Package delivery service

There are plenty of courier jobs you can try out; there are no specific requirements for a vehicle, only that it needs to be mid-sized or large with four doors. You need to have a clean and valid driving record, pass a background check and be at least 23 years of age.

To register with the following delivery apps, you need to download an application and create your own account.

Amazon Flex

On the application, you will notice people are looking for delivery providers to bring their goods to the selected location. You check what locations are suitable for you, and you can choose accordingly. Another convenient feature of Amazon Flex is that it shows the approximate delivery time and your payment after completing the order. If you have a fixed time when you prefer to work, you can set your account as available, and any new order will be assigned straight to you.

The payment is transferred to your account twice a week, and you can always track your earnings in the application.

You can expect to receive orders with regular packages, and for Amazon Prime members, you can deliver groceries or household items. According to Amazon Flex, the delivery pay should be around $18 – $25 per hour, depending on the location.

Dispatch

Similar to Amazon Flex, the Dispatch delivery job lets you schedule your own time and choose the location where you live. There is no pressure on what kind of delivery you need to pick, and you can choose any order that suits you.

Dispatch is happy if you can make a few deliveries a week in the morning or evening, or during weekends. With this application, you will deliver merchandise and other items to customers and businesses. Dispatch also sends out promotions and bonuses for a certain amount of deliveries completed.

Food Delivery Services

The delivery business is booming, and there are lots of jobs on the market for you to grab. You do not have to have a car for some of them, meaning you can save up on auto insurance costs and petrol. However, you need to have a scooter or a bicycle to make deliveries.

Here are some food delivery apps you can download on your smartphone and start earning right away.

Uber Eats

One of the best delivery companies, Uber Eats, offers people to earn money by delivering food from local restaurants to customers. You can choose a vehicle you prefer to use, and you can also work whenever it is suitable for you. Uber Eats makes weekly transactions, and you can track your earnings in the application. After every drop-off, customers can leave you tips in cash or through the application.

If you meet the age requirement, you will need to indicate what transportation you use to make deliveries. If you drive a car or a motorbike, Uber Eats will ask you to confirm your valid driving license and insurance.

DoorDash App

DoorDash is another food delivery app that works with many local restaurants. You should be at least 18 years of age to work for a DoorDash delivery company and have a bicycle, car, or scooter with a valid driving license.

This delivery app allows you to choose what order you want to pick and accept in the location that suits you the best. Moreover, if you are visiting another city with your vehicle, you can also work there without any restrictions.

GrubHub

You can deliver restaurant meals with GrubHub by registering your account on their app. Similar to the previous delivery service providers, GrubHub requires you to have a vehicle (a car or a bike), a valid driver’s license with insurance, and a valid state ID. You should be at least 19 years of age, and you don’t need to have delivery experience.

GrubHub allows its delivery drivers to start working immediately if they have an insulated bag; otherwise, the new drivers have to wait for a shipment. The deliveries by bicycles are limited to certain cities, that is why cars and scooters are a preferred choice.

Favor Delivery

Favor Delivery app takes it a bit further and offers its clients order delivery of food, groceries, dry cleaning, etc. Favor offers you freedom of choice, and you decide where and when you work and what orders to accept. The requirements are minimum, only a vehicle with a clean record, and you should be at least 18 years old. Favor takes a percentage from your work per hour, but the tips are all yours.

Postmates

As of June 7, 2021, Postmates have joined forces with UberEats, and if you sign up with any of them, you will have access to a bigger pool of customers and orders. If you already have an account with Uber Eats, you will automatically be a delivery driver for both companies.

Grocery delivery drivers

Grocery delivery service is not so different from bringing orders from local restaurants. The job concept is the same as other delivery app jobs – you receive, accept, and deliver food orders. Some of the food delivery services already offer this option; however, those apps are usually limited to restaurants, bars, and cafes.

Instacart

Instacart offers you to become either a full-service shopper or an in-store shopper. A full-service shopper needs to be at least 18 years of age, have a vehicle with a valid driver’s license, and be able to carry and lift 50 lbs. You can choose when you can work and what locations are good for you. The same requirements apply for an in-store shopper with the only major difference of selecting the customers’ orders.

Shipt

You can have a steady weekly income with Shipt delivery service that specializes in groceries. The salary depends on your city, and to register, you need to be at least 18 years of age, have a vehicle of the year 1997 or newer, and a valid license. Since you will be delivering groceries, you need to be able to lift and carry 40 lbs.

Once you are ready to start working, Shipt will offer your current orders and indicate how much you can be paid for completing the task.

Conclusion

There are many gig options you can opt for: ridesharing, package or food delivery service, and others. Each gig has some basic requirements that you need to fulfill; however, they are not complicated and pay off in the long run. When it comes to ridesharing – if you want to yield the best tips and most stars, remember to work on your customer service, meaning offer something that other drivers do not do. It can be something simple as engaging in a friendly conversation, offering a bottle of water, and keeping your vehicle clean.

Another huge advantage of gig jobs is that you choose your working hours and decide whether you want to work full-time or part-time. Being an independent contractor allows you to get various delivery jobs at once and interchange them however you please.

You have a possibility to choose where it is people you want to drive or deliver food, packages, and other items. In any case, HyreCar can greatly assist you in getting the means of transportation to do any kind of job.

Disclaimer

Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries completed, time of day, location, and expenses. 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 peak pay, tips, and other incentives.