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June 24, 2021

A‌ ‌Quick‌ ‌Guide‌ ‌on‌ ‌How‌ ‌to‌ ‌Become‌ ‌a‌ ‌Grubhub‌ ‌Driver‌

Becoming a Grubhub driver offers self-driven individuals an alternative to traditional job structures. Grubhub drivers are independent contractors, so being self-employed allows them to work as much or as little as they want. In addition, they have control over their income – which means if you are motivated and willing to commit yourself to your job, you can earn great pay by delivering with Grubhub.

On average, Grubhub drivers report earning about $20 per hour – which is calculated based on distance traveled and the time it takes to complete each order. For each delivery, the amount you make is based on the distance traveled to pick up the food from the vendor, the distance traveled to drop off the food to the customer, and the total time it takes to complete the process. This means that the more deliveries you complete, the more money you make – so making yourself available and accepting orders will increase your earnings.

Before you start collecting your checks, you should note that earnings from delivering with Grubhub are subject to self-employment tax. Therefore, as a delivery driver, you will want to log the miles that you drive and hours you spend delivering for Grubhub, in addition to any kinds of expenses that you have – like gas, costs of repairs, etc. Keeping thorough and complete records makes tax season easier when it comes time for you to file and report your income.

Getting Started with Grubhub

Starting your job with Grubhub is pretty simple – there is no resume, interview, or delivery experience required to be hired. However, here are some of the things you need to become a Grubhub driver:

Method of transportation: in some areas, a bike is an acceptable means of transportation to deliver with Grubhub, but most locations will require a car

A valid driver’s license + auto insurance: if you want to be a delivery driver with Grubhub, you need to be legally able to drive the vehicle you will be delivering in – which means you must have a valid license and auto insurance if you will be delivering in a car

Valid state ID or driver’s license (for bike riders): if you are in a permitted location and will be delivering on your bike, you must have a valid state ID (or driver’s license)

A smartphone with data coverage: to accept orders and navigate your role as a delivery driver, you must have a smartphone with access to a data plan – Grubhub’s smartphone app has changed how delivery services work, from both a customer and a delivery driver perspective. The Grubhub driver app makes it easy to schedule your hours, accept rides, and manage your earnings

Must be 19 years or older (depending on location): Grubhub allows you to start delivering in most areas at 19. However, some states, like Chicago and Las Vegas, require that delivery drivers be at least 21 years old.

Checking account: to get paid by Grubhub, you must have a checking account to set up your direct deposit. This allows for easy and quick payment. Additionally, if you use a Chase checking account, you can avoid a 50-cent fee per Instant Cash Out payment.

Background check: once your application is received, Grubhub will complete a background check, usually via Chekr – a third-party company. Most background checks look over the past seven years for criminal activity and driving violations – understandably, if you have too many driving citations, your application may be denied.

Once you submit your application, driver’s license, and proof of insurance, you can gain access to an optional onboarding orientation covering topics such as the smartphone app, setting your schedule, picking up orders, and more.

Then you’ll get car decals and warming bags from Grubhub. Warming bags are one of the most important tools for being a delivery driver – nobody likes cold food, so make sure you have the right equipment to keep the food warm for the entire delivery process.

Why Choose Grubhub?

Work Scheduling Process

One feature that sets Grubhub apart from other delivery apps or rideshare services is a work scheduling process. Drivers can set their work schedule ahead of time (via the smartphone app), which gives scheduled drivers a leg-up over non-scheduled drivers – scheduled drivers are prioritized in the delivery queue over drivers that are only working as “available.” This means that drivers who set their schedule ahead of time have more work incentives – they get more orders, more potential tips, and earn more money.

Recognition Program

Another thing to consider if you are thinking about becoming a Grubhub driver is the Recognition Program – which honors delivery efficiency. The Grubhub recognition program offers drivers with better attendance, higher acceptance rates, and low block-drop rates – offering more incentives to drivers who work more and who work better. After the 20th accepted order, drivers are enrolled in the Partner-level of the program, and drivers who consistently meet the standards of service move on to the Pro- and Premier levels. Advancing through the levels of the recognition program gives high-performing delivery people access to the highest-paying jobs and other benefits such as block-scheduling perks and access to large catering orders, which might pay better than regular delivery orders.

Driver Safety

Delivering with Grubhub is also a safe job. Compared to other rideshare-type roles, there are no passengers or small talk while in transit and making deliveries. There are plenty of contact-free delivery options to ensure your safety on the job. Additionally, Grubhub offers personal protective equipment to maximize your health.

User-Friendly Smartphone App

The Grubhub smartphone app is also revolutionary for the independent contracting business world. By using your smartphone to access special promotions, sweepstakes, and bonuses, in addition to setting up your schedule and accepting or completing orders, Grubhub makes self-employment easy.

Instant Cash Out Option

Another feature that Grubhub offers its delivery drivers is the Instant Cash Out option. Grubhub’s Instant Cash Out allows drivers to instantly withdraw their balance from their Grubhub app to their bank account. Keep in mind – all funds (from delivery payments, tips, bonuses, etc.) are available within 15 minutes after being earned, and you can withdraw up to $500 per day. You should also note a $0.50 transaction fee per Instant Cash Out, but this can be avoided if you withdraw into a Chase checking account. Also note, if your bank account is not already set up, it may take up to 72 hours after your account information is verified, depending on your bank.

3 Must-Know Tips for Aspiring Grubhub Drivers

Independent contracting can be stressful at times, but by taking advantage of the benefits that Grubhub offers delivery drivers, freelance work has never been more accessible. By working your own schedule and being your own boss, you have a ton of control, but you also have increased responsibility.

Here are some things you will want to keep in mind as you begin to become self-employed:

Maintaining and Managing Cash Flow

First, the most important issue for self-employed individuals is maintaining and managing cash flow. If you have any friends in the accounting field, you might want to lean on them for some advice or hire somebody to manage your finances for you, especially if you don’t think you can take on that task by yourself. As a Grubhub driver, pay close attention to your income and expenses. Think about the money you spend on gas, car maintenance, and any other funds you expend for your delivery role and compare it to the amount of money you are bringing in from your orders.

When you are a Grubhub driver, as an independent contractor, or freelance worker, one of the biggest differences compared to working in more traditional roles or settings is that your monthly income will more than likely vary from month to month. Because you don’t have a base annual salary, unless you schedule the same hours and pick up the same orders each month, you will have to keep track of how much your income fluctuates and make sure you are always on track to make ends meet.

Because your income is variable as a self-employed delivery driver, it is essential to save a chunk of money to keep on the side in case of emergencies. In addition, you’ll most likely be driving your car a lot, so you’ll never know when you will run into car trouble or any other issue that might come up. Therefore, it’s essential to keep an emergency fund available just to be safe.

Keep Business and Personal Accounts Separate

Another tip for freelance workers is to keep business and personal accounts separate. Whether you create an entirely new account with a new branch for your business or open an additional account with your existing banks, but you should find a way to keep things separated. Relatedly, you will want to set aside a chunk of money for when you file your taxes – again, it would most likely be beneficial to talk to a tax professional or an accounting specialist.

To become a Grubhub driver, it takes a certain level of motivation and commitment to yourself, which means you must be willing to work to accomplish your goals. An important piece of advice for freelance workers is to set financial goals, like target numbers or break-even numbers to reach each month. By setting financial goals early on as a Grubhub driver, you will get a sense of how many orders you need to take and how often you need to work. Eventually, you will get a sense of what times are good to clock-in in your areas, and you’ll start to familiarize yourself with the location and the business trends.

Purchase a Work Vehicle

A final tip for being a self-employed delivery driver with Grubhub is to eventually buy a work vehicle so you don’t rack up the miles and wear-and-tear on your personal car. You can write off the mileage, gas, and other vehicle expenses on your taxes, so in addition to keeping your personal vehicle in better shape, it will make things easier to keep track of.

Conclusion

When you become a Grubhub driver, you join a team of like-minded individuals working for themselves to better their lives. By being your own boss, you earn money on your terms, keeping 100% of your tips and managing your cash flow. So whether you want to deliver on your bike or are insured to drive a vehicle, it is easy to apply and get started with Grubhub.

Once you get started, it is important to find out what works best for you. Figure out what work schedule is best, try to maintain a steady number of hours per week or per month – and stick to your financial goals. Look online for advice, tips, and tricks from other drivers – for example, many drivers report being friendly and kind to their customers to maximize tips and increase the likelihood of future orders. Another way to improve customer outcomes is to make sure the food stays warm (using warming bags and proper equipment). With time, you’ll figure out what works best for you to be the best boss and self-employed independent contractor that you can be.