You’ve seen them everywhere — sharing economy jobs, the kind of jobs that offer flexible hours, fast application, and even incredible intro bonuses. Whether you’re looking for a new job or side hustle, you should consider one of these new driving jobs. All it takes to get started is a car and an app. It’s that simple!
Drivers across are the U.S. are in huge demand as more apps offer services to get food, transportation, and packages. Learn more about the top new driving jobs and some bonuses everyone is flocking to.
Uber or Lyft: Ridesharing
One of the best ways to earn steady cash is by driving for Lyft or Uber. These companies use driving apps to match drivers with customers. No matter where you live, you can download Uber or Lyft and become a driver who takes people around town.
Uber and Lyft have been locked step in competition and have offered some incredible incentives. Depending on the location, Lyft, for example, may offer up to $2,500 bonus once you sign up.1 Uber offers something similar where they guarantee your earnings once you have completed a required amount of trips. Either way, it’s a great way to quickly earn money and get your feed wet.
Earnings Potential
Your earnings potential depends on your geographic location, how many hours you’re willing to work, how busy the service is, and your rapport with customers. Uber offers Surge Pricing and Lyft offer Primetime Pricing, which allows drivers to earn more when demand is high. According to Talent.com, Uber drivers earn $18.60 per hour on average.2 On the other hand, ZipRecruiter reports Lyft drivers earn an average of $25 per hour.3 Urban drivers typically earn more than rural and suburban drivers. Both Uber and Lyft do take a percentage of the price of each ride
Additionally, you can earn even more with riders’ tips. Uber allows tipping in 121 cities4, which increases the amount you could earn. And you get to keep your tips at Lyft no matter where you drive. The more you drive and the better the quality of your rides, the more likely you are to earn extra dollars in tips on every ride.
How to Qualify as a Driver
Drivers can qualify to drive at Uber or Lyft if they meet the following conditions:
- Have a valid driver’s license.
- Own a qualified four-door vehicle such as a car, minivan or truck.
- Have valid insurance coverage and in-state vehicle registration.
- Be 21 or older.
- Have in-state license plates.
- Have a valid Social Security number.
- Pass a mechanical inspection of the driver’s vehicle.
- Have no major violations in the last three years.
- Have no DUIs or major infractions in the last seven years.
- Pass a criminal background check.5
Those with newer cars will have an easier time becoming a rideshare driver with Uber or Lyft. If you have a car that’s 12 years old or older, you may be offered incentives to buy a new car before becoming a driver.
Grubhub and Doordash: Food Delivery
Apps like Grubhub, Doordash, Seamless, and even Uber (thanks to Uber Eats) have made getting takeout easier than ever before. And becoming a food delivery driver yourself is a great way to earn cash quickly and on your own time.
Both Grubhub and Doordash provide consumers the opportunity to order food from local restaurants and have it delivered right to their doors all from a smartphone app. And you can get a job delivering that food from more than 320,000 restaurants in 4,000 U.S. cities.6 Unlike ridesharing, food delivery means you don’t have to invite strangers into your car. You simply head to local restaurants, pick up customers’ orders, and bring them to their specified location.
Earnings Potential
Grubhub drivers earn $12 to $13 per hour and $4 per delivery.7 Doordash drivers earn $2 to $10 per delivery and an average of $25 per hour.8
You can earn more through tips, too, if you provide your delivery customers with great service. Both Grubhub and Doordash drivers can earn tips of anywhere between 10 and 25 percent, and the tips are all yours to keep. Remember, the better your interactions with customers – especially when it comes to communication about their orders and food – the more you can earn.
How to Qualify as a Driver
Grubhub drivers must have a reliable vehicle, clean driving record, valid driver’s license, and insurance coverage. Doordash drivers must have the same qualifications and two years of driving experience. Doordash drivers must also pass a background check and not have any major driving violations in the past seven years.9
Amazon Delivery: Package Drop-Offs
Amazon delivers absolutely everything, and it now offers everyone the chance to become a delivery driver thanks to its rapid expansion into thousands of cities. You can deliver groceries via Amazon Fresh, shop for and deliver customers’ Whole Foods orders via Amazon Prime Now, or even deliver everyday Amazon orders anywhere in the U.S. as a driver.
Amazon hires experienced drivers, so drivers at established delivery services bid for delivery gigs with the retail giant through Amazon Flex. You can be self-employed, but you must have a valid delivery business, wear a uniform, and pass driver training and safety programs. You can work limited or flexible hours, but you can’t choose specific neighborhoods – Amazon sets your delivery routes each day.
Earnings Potential
Amazon advertises that drivers can earn $18 to $25 per hour making deliveries. Actual earnings will vary depending on your location, if you receive any tips, and how long it takes to complete your delivery block.
Some delivery blocks allow drivers to earn tips. However, Amazon doesn’t specify which types of delivery blocks commonly allow for tips. If you do choose to deliver one of these blocks, customers are allowed to tip you. 100 percent of your tips go directly into your pocket.10
How to Qualify as a Driver
Drivers need a vehicle with at least 300 cubic feet of space for packages. Drivers must also meet these requirements:
- Live in an area where Amazon Flex operates.
- Be 21 years of age or older.
- Have a valid U.S. driver’s license.
- Have a four-door sedan, truck, or van.
- Have an iPhone 6s or newer model or an Android phone version 7.0 or higher.11
Search Online for Driving Jobs
While these popular tech companies make up a good share of the driving jobs currently available, they are not the only employers. There are plenty of driving jobs out there with generous hourly wages, including truck driving jobs, which receive a hourly wage of $30.7712, and bus driving jobs, which receive a hourly wage of $2013. In order to find these jobs and openings at any of the companies listed above, all you need to do is search online.
