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40 ways rideshare and delivery drivers can make money from home
Beat the Coronavirus Blues
As a rideshare driver, you’re probably suffering from a severe case of Coronavirus Blues since everyone is stuck at home--including you. Even though you have your car packed and loaded with hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes, your app just isn’t pinging you the way it used to because very few people are moving around.
Hopefully this will change before too long. But in the meantime, whether you’re a part-time driver who’s more attached to that extra income than you’d like to admit, or a full-time rideshare warrior who relies on it as your main source of cash flow, you’ll need to find some other ways to earn.
The Gridwise team doesn’t want you to feel financial pain. So we spent a lot of time pulling together a list of money-making ideas that you can work on from home, which can help you stave off financial scarcity while being productive.
Be Resourceful
When the sinking feeling of losing your passengers hits, you can get lost in negativity and ask the question, “What am I going to do now??”--but you’ll be in far better shape if you skip that and take action right away. Believe in yourself. There are other ways to make money, and some good things can happen as you find new ways to work from home. Such as ...
- Getting some cash coming in to cover expenses
- Finding out you have more talents than you thought
- Maybe discovering this new way of earning can add to your income permanently, even after the coronavirus crisis has ended.
One thing you can definitely do is make a shift from driving to delivery. Many rideshare drivers find traffic on the food and dry goods delivery apps is reaching new peaks. This is something you can do safely, and continue to bring in at least some money to meet your basic needs. Check out our article about delivery driving for more tips and tricks.
If you don’t find enough delivery traffic to keep you collecting some cash, or if you’re not in a position to take the risk of venturing out into the public, you still have alternatives.
There are plenty of jobs you can do from home, and along with making you money they might turn out to be fun. We hope this list of portals and places inspires you to explore, and find, your ideal way(s) of working from home, at least until you can get back on the road--and maybe even after that.
Surveys for Cash and Cards
There are quite a few services that pay people to complete surveys. We picked out the best below.
Survey Junkie
Yes, you really can earn money sitting at your computer, or even using your phone, to offer your opinion to companies who want to know what’s on your mind. Survey Junkie will pay you with points, which you can cash in for gift cards or payments via PayPal. All you need to do is create your profile, and you’ll be matched to surveys that match your needs and interests.
Branded Surveys
Here’s another chance for you to get paid for your opinions. You’ll be sent surveys, based on what you tell the company when you sign up and create your profile. The company pays with points, which you redeem for gift cards or cash. Some surveys might be geared toward TV shows, while others focus on brands that you love or have special knowledge about.
LifePoints
The LifePoints model is similar to the others: you earn points for completing surveys, which you can trade for cash on a card or gift cards. This company has been around since the 1940s so the topics might seem less trendy, but meatier. You could be asked about automobiles and household goods rather than shoes or nail polish, but you’ll get paid just the same.
Vindale Research
If you just want the cash and don’t want to fool around with a point system, Vindale Research could be the company for you. The hitch is, you’ll have to accumulate $50 or more before you can cash out. Since you’re collecting only $.50 to $2.00 for each survey, you’ll need to keep busy! This can still work for you, though, because the surveys are short and there are a lot of them. Besides … where do you think you’re going to go?
Swagbucks
Rideshare drivers like variety. So, because Swagbucks lets you do more than just fill out surveys, this might appeal to you more than the others. You can get paid with cards or cash, and you can watch videos, shop online, or search the web … and then give your feedback and get paid.
Survey Club
Now, if you really want to get sophisticated about your survey game, Survey Club will hook you up with just about any survey that exists in the known universe. The pay varies, and you’ll notice the site is actually an aggregator of many of the companies mentioned here. Still, this brings them all together and allows you to pick and choose what you want to do on a given day, based on what’s available in your area and for your demographic group.
GetPaidTo
This one literally involves fun and games. You can get paid for testing games, writing reviews, testing out offers, and of course, filling out surveys. When you get bored with rearranging your furniture, this can definitely help you pass the time, and make some money in the process.
Computer as Cash Cow
If you can type, even at the basic hunt-and-peck level, you can make money with your computer. Companies want you to post links, send emails, and make social media posts on their behalf. This may not be as exciting as a Saturday night rider surge, but it’s a somewhat lucrative way to pass the time while you’re holed up in the house.
Computer Purpose
You’ll get tutorials, coaching, and coaxing from this company, and word has it they do pretty well by you. Your tasks will range from posting links and opening emails to making social media posts, and you’ll put in about 60 minutes a day. You have to pay $47 to get started, but if you’re even halfway serious about developing this into a side gig, that’s a drop in the bucket. By some accounts, if you get serious enough about it you can make $500 or more a week.
Rev (Transcription Service)
If words are your thing, and you’re really, really fast with your fingers, and you’re as accurate as you are fast, you can type your way to a fatter bank balance by signing up with this service. You listen to a recording and type every word that’s said. There are very specific instructions, and if you follow them, you’ll build your confidence and be able to build up to some decent pay.
Mechanical Turk
In case you’ve ever thought computers were smarter than you, the fact that this mechanism exists will prove you wrong. Amazon (who’s behind Mechanical Turk) collects requests from a wide variety of companies. You might be asked to complete a survey, rephrase a sentence, or create a title for a video you watch. The pay isn’t so great, but it goes up as you do more work. This is one way to salvage your brain before it turns into a pool of Netflix-inflicted mush.
Freelance marketplaces
All drivers have talents that go way beyond the road. Freelance marketplaces are great places to sell your skills and services.
Upwork
Diverse is one way to describe this site. It’s also project-based. The pay might be hourly or by the piece, depending on the kind of work you can and want to do. You’ll probably be pulling a skill out of your back pocket here, such as writing or even drafting or engineering. It’s worth a try to see if you have some stuff you can offer to the huge community of employers this website serves.
LocalSolo/Comuno
It’s important to connect the right gig professional with the proper employer, and that seems to be the thing at LocalSolo. Now, they used to work solely with face-to-face relationships, but now, like most of the rest of the world these days, they’re embracing telecommuting. That will eliminate any fear you might have of not getting hired until after the social distancing rules are relaxed, at least enough to be in the same room with your team!
Guru
If you would call yourself a “guru” at something, be it web developing or legalese, this is a great sight for you to peruse. From the artistically creative to technologically imaginative, there are jobs to suit people with all different kinds of talents, and chances are you could be one of them.
Fiverr
This is a very cool electronic bulletin board, and you can put yourself on it. Fiverr offers freelance workers to the business community, so you will create a beautiful profile detailing what it is you’re able and willing to do for money. You’ll be inspired to assess yourself, identify your talents, and put your abilities to the test, as you make money engaged in things you can and enjoy doing! Write blog posts, offer consulting services, create websites, produce business cards, produce or edit videos … the possibilities are virtually endless.
Behance
“Creative “ is a word that gets thrown around a lot, but if you know you are, it’s good to find out about this site. It offers full and part time jobs to people who have visual or verbal talents. A little tech savvy-ness never hurts when you’re looking at gigs like this, either. Never say no one’s looking for someone like you, because this company has a ton of people in heavy pursuit of hot creative talent.
Freelancer.com
You know that hobby you have, or that little knack for design, writing, or coding? You might not want to do that kind of thing full-time, but there’s plenty of work out there for you to bring in a little money now. You might even get hooked on using your other-than-driving skills, and discover a whole new stream of income! Employers put up listings of what they need, and you bid the jobs. If you’re selected, you do the job...and get paid. Worth trying, right?
Jobs That Keep You Moving
If you’d be shocked to hear it’s possible to make money while doing things that actually benefit you, join the club. You might have to be self-motivated as well as eager to learn for these gigs, but there is some decent money involved; and even some gift cards and free merchandise. Plus, there are side benefits you might not have ever expected.
HealthyWage
With the painful absence of fresh sporting events, those of us who like to place a bet here and there will be happy to hear about this opportunity. Healthy Wage allows you to (get this) bet on your ability to lose weight! You tell them how much weight you want to lose, the amount of time you bet it will take you, and you’re on. You have to pay to play, which is incentive enough to stop opening your refrigerator! If you “win,” there can be serious money coming your “weigh.”
DietBet
This one brings out your competitive spirit. You sign up for challenges in exercise and weight loss, and everybody who’s “in” contributes to the pot. If you beat out all the other people in the challenge with you, you get all the money. Sound good? Start cranking out those crunches.
Runtopia
If you’re more into moving than staying in one place, this is the game for you. It’s more about self-motivation than competition, and there’s no betting involved. You simply track your progress in the running game, and set goals. Your ability to outdo yourself can win you prizes such as smartphones and gift cards. Not up for being a marathoner? You can do a walking or walk/run version, too.
Swagbucks
You don’t even really have to move a whole lot to get prizes here. You do have to let them know how you like the items they recommend for you. The other catch is you have to buy the items, which include everything from fitness wear to protein powders. Still, when you redeem your Swagbucks, you get far more than you put in, and you can cash out for gift cards from more than 200 brands.
Map My Fitness
With your wages on the downslide, it can’t hurt to get some free stuff from everybody’s favorite brand. Under Armour invented this app, and you get to sign up for challenges, prove you met expectations (possibly even by connecting to your Under Armour Smart Shoes), and then get some really useful and cool Under Armour gear.
For the Handy. Hearty, and Clean
When your head is filled with bad news, like it’s been lately, it can be very therapeutic to work with your hands. Now, some of us are better at doing work around the house than are others, but as the economy begins to open up, there will be a lot of demand for people to come by to fix leaky toilets and squeaking doors.
If you have that ability to look at something that needs to be fixed and make it work again, here are some ways you can get gigs that will hold you till they let everyone out to ride in your car once more.
Angie’s List
Trust is a big deal when people let you into their house, and this service puts that quality about its people up front. It will cost you money, but you’re almost guaranteed to get referrals for your investment. If you have the ability to do work around people’s houses, this could work for you. Gutters seem to be a big thing these days, so if you’re good at that, it looks like you could make out particularly well!
Home Advisor
You’ll need to pay for a listing on this service, but it’s very well advertised and highly trusted by the people who will ultimately be doing the hiring. It can’t hurt to have an app right there on your phone, too. Even after you go back to driving, you can pick up gigs here and there to pay for extra expenses, right?
Cleaning Gigs
Glamorous? Maybe not; but cleaning for a gig can be flexible, rewarding, and lucrative - all the things you love about driving. While you can always do this as a private, cash-only kind of thing, working with a service has its perks. One of them is insuring you, and also getting the gigs so you don’t have to exhaust yourself finding people who need your services.
Commercial Sanitizing
What kind of crazy maneuvers do you think companies will go through once they have to clean up after coronavirus? One can only imagine. But...if you happen to memorize the steps recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, and can talk some local businesses into letting you clean up for them, you can probably get a lot of work once the economy starts to open up. Here’s a cheat sheet for you, here and in the title above.
Simple Start-Ups
What do you do well? What do you like to do? Answer those two questions, and you have the key to success in starting your own side hustle/business. You don’t have to make a million bucks; all you have to do is keep the money flowing while you’re waiting for the quarantine to come to a most welcomed end.
But...as a driver, you have the incentive to make your own way through any economy, so who’s to say you won’t keep your little biz going even after we’re back to whatever “the new normal” might be?
Here are some ideas you might want to ponder:
Be a personal/virtual assistant
This isn’t always the most glamorous of jobs, but it can bring in money and keep you busy during quarantine. In essence, you’ll be in charge of keeping someone else organized. You’ll make and take calls, run errands, and be a good listener. You’ll have to know what you like to do and be honest about what you can do well, but don’t limit yourself. You’ll never believe how easily this job puts all your talents to good use.
Kiss up to being a dating consultant
Who? You? Who better than you? As a driver, how many romances have you witnessed? From first dates with all the right sparks flying, or two people who were ready to throw in the towel, they’ve all been in your vehicle, and you probably had some advice you wanted to offer. As a dating consultant or coach, you won’t have to bite your tongue any longer. You can get right in there and help people find the love that will entertain and enchant many rideshare drivers in the future.
Flip Websites for Fun
You’ve heard about flipping houses, and that would be cool...if only you had a couple of hundred grand or so to spare. Chances are, especially post-COVID, that you don’t; but there’s no need to give up. You can flip websites instead! This is the art of buying and selling urls - the names people use to attract visitors to their sites. Pick something you’re passionate about, think of some catchy names, and put them up for sale. This could be kind of addicting, come to think of it, but potentially lucrative, too.
Translate Your Way to Pay
Do you happen to be...bilingual? There are tons of drivers who speak more than one language, and we’ve taken a lot of flak for English maybe not being the one we speak best. Now...you can make money with your native language, or any you happen to be fluent in, by being a translator. This is one of those jobs that can also be really heart-warming. Picture yourself helping an older person navigate some government bureaucracy with you by his or her side, using all the right words!
Tutor Eager Pupils
You’ve got skills, so why not share them with others, and get paid? You can teach languages, math, and just about any subject or topic on line, from your home. With all the social distancing rules in effect, can you imagine the demand for people like you who can help people learn everything from academic ABCs to welding, keyboarding, or even driving? You’re a smart cookie, so let your brain leverage a little dough for you.
Cook for Corporate Sharks - in Their Homes
Sounds dangerous, but it isn’t. Can you imagine what it’s like to work from home, run a huge corporate job, manage kids, AND cook meals? People must be pulling their hair out. Keep their coifs intact by selling them your culinary skills. There are plenty of openings for you, if you’ve got the cooking chops, to provide healthy meals for families who might otherwise be living on bad pizza and burgers.
Convert Old Video to New Formats
With all that time...days on end with nothing to do but binge on trashy TV, there’s something you can do to make the most of the time and create a cash stream, too. Tons of people have video stored on old media, such as VHS tapes and even those awkward video cameras people hauled out at all those 1990s birthday parties. With a minor investment, you can make a mint converting the old stuff to new and usable formats!
Okay. People aren’t going on those three-week treks to New Zealand these days, but there still is a need for dog walkers! Think about those health care workers who are hardly ever home now, or the disabled vet down the street, whose two huge huskies are just too much for him to handle. There are no-contact ways of doing this good deed, and people pay a lot for you to do it, too. In a world where human touch is taboo, the unconditional love of a pet - even someone else’s - will brighten your day, too.
Become an Influencer
It may be some time before you become an Instagram sensation, but you have lots of that on your hands these days. “Influencers” are people with large social media followings, who then leverage all the contacts they make to get free swag. Those marketing new products, from grooming aids to masks you can wear to protect yourself while driving (hint-hint), look for people who will display them on social media, and “influence” their following to click and buy.
Get Crafty and Creative
Are you good at making useful or fun things for people to buy? You could jump on the COVID train and create your own special hand sanitizer, craft reusable gloves, or design protective masks. If you figure there’s enough competition already, maybe you have another craft you’re good at. Create a jigsaw puzzle, invent a card game, or build toys that can keep little hands busy at something besides playing video games.
The next question is, how do you find advice about being an entrepreneur of this nature? Check out this sub-reddit group, Entrepreneur Ride Along. It might have little or nothing to do with Uber or Lyft, but it sounds about right for rideshare and delivery driver types, right?
Jobs Inside, Outside, and Even Around the Town
The coronavirus crisis has left us with just a few businesses staying open so the rest of us can get essential goods and services--and this has created job openings. Your local drugstore, for example, will need help, as will local grocery stores and big box stores that remain open for business. And of course Amazon is hiring vast numbers of new workers to help them handle the surge in orders they’re suddenly dealing with.
These companies advertise job openings, part-time and otherwise, and can really be a lifesaver as you wait for your rideshare app to start pinging you again.
Steady
This job listing service works on your computer or as an app on your phone. It lists a wide variety of jobs, from work at home and work anytime, part-time, and full-time. Simply enter your zip code and the listings will populate your screen. There’s way more work out there than you might imagine, and Steady lists lots of it for you, all in one place.
Indeed
This is a wildly popular site for job seekers of all kinds. Although you’re probably already aware of it, there are some things about Indeed you might not realize. For instance, did you know there are more than a thousand delivery-type job listings? Even if you don’t decide to apply, reading through the listings can give you leads and ideas for other things you can do, with or without your car.
Glassdoor
Glassdoor runs as a phone app or a browser site. It lists jobs from just about any field you can imagine, and in every location you can think of, including your living room or car. One of the sweet features of this outfit is their company reviews. While the employer you’re applying to sweetalks you in the listing, you can get their backstory from people who actually work there - or used to!
UberWorks
Most rideshare drivers recognize that name, right? In case you didn’t notice, Uber is rolling out a way to introduce people like you to shift work in a variety of industries. You could find yourself packing stuff up part time in a warehouse, lugging chairs and tables to set up events, or logging in time as a customer service agent. Say what you want about Uber, but this outfit is pretty good at bringing people together, so chances are you might be able to meet the perfect part-time gig to fill you in till “Coronavirus” is no longer a word you hear every 3 minutes. Check and see if it’s made it to your area yet.
Task Rabbit
You have to play to the audience you’ve got, and right now people are stuck in their homes. There’s no way it’s easy to take care of a houseful of family while you’re trying to please a boss while you’re “working from home.” That’s where you come in. Task Rabbit connects you with people who need you to run the errands they can’t even think about having time to do. As a great driver who knows your way around, you’ll be every client’s favorite “bunny” runner.
Win Your Victory Over This Virus
You’re a rideshare driver--resourceful, dynamic, and ready for anything. There’s no doubt you can overcome the obstacles that might be in your way at the moment. We hope the suggestions we’ve offered here will help you rearrange your life just enough to keep money coming in until the crisis is over.
If you still find yourself falling short of the income you need, don’t forget about the new provisions in the CARES Act that allow you to collect unemployment benefits, even as an independent contractor. Here’s some insight into what’s available, and how you can apply for assistance in this recent Gridwise article.
Meanwhile, keep in touch with us on the app. If you haven’t done so already, one of the many things you do while you’re all secluded and sequestered is download Gridwise now!
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Uber vs Lyft Driver Pay: Real Earnings in 2026
Two drivers can work the same roads on the same Saturday night, one on Uber and one on Lyft, and go home with paychecks that look nothing alike. Ask which app pays more in any driver forum and you will get a hundred confident answers, most of them based on one good night or one bad week.
Drivers ask whether Uber or Lyft pays more expecting a big number. Nationally, the difference per active hour is $1.43. On a four hour shift that works out to about $5.70.
The weekly numbers look nothing like that. Uber drivers average $522 a week. Lyft drivers average $325. That is a $197 difference, and a $1.43 hourly rate cannot produce it.
The reason for that difference is also the reason the answer changes from city to city.
In this post:
- What Uber and Lyft pay per active hour
- Where the weekly difference comes from
- Why the answer changes depending on your market
- How ride type controls affect which trips you see
- How tips, bonuses, and per mile pay compare
- How to test both apps on your own numbers
An active Uber Black and XL driver working Jacksonville, with driving history in Miami and Atlanta, walks through his own receipts against the Gridwise platform data.
Uber vs Lyft Driver Pay Is Nearly Identical Per Active Hour
Gridwise earnings data from a network of more than 500,000 drivers and couriers puts Lyft at $22.45 gross per active work hour and Uber at $23.88 in 2026. Active time means the clock is running on a trip. Passenger in the car, or on the way to pick one up.
Measured that way, both platforms pay in the same range. If Uber and Lyft each hand you a 30 minute ride, the two receipts will look similar. That is why a single screenshot proves almost nothing about which app pays better.
The word doing the work in that number is active. It excludes everything that happens between trips. Whether the next request came in 30 seconds after drop off or 45 minutes later, the active hour rate reads the same.
Active hour pay measures the trips you got. It says nothing about how many you got.
Where Uber or Lyft Pays More Comes Down to Trip Volume
The weekly averages fill in what the hourly rate leaves out. Lyft drivers log 14.7 active work hours a week. Uber drivers log 21.2.
Uber drivers get 6.5 more hours of paid trip time a week, likely from a similar number of hours online. At roughly $23 an hour, those extra hours account for about $150 of the $197 weekly difference. The hourly rate itself explains far less of it.
So the weekly difference is mostly about how many trips you get. More requests mean less time parked waiting for one, and waiting time is unpaid on both apps.
Rider pricing is part of why the volume differs. The average Uber trip costs a rider $24.32. On Lyft it is $21.02, about 14% cheaper. Cheaper fares do not automatically produce more ride requests, though. Some riders compare both apps and pick the lower price. Plenty of others open Uber because Uber is the app they have.
What is each app paying you? Link both your Uber and Lyft accounts in Gridwise and it syncs the earnings from each while tracking your miles automatically, so you can compare both apps over a full week instead of one shift. Track it free
Whether Uber or Lyft Pays More Depends on Your Market
National averages describe the country. They do not describe your city, and the difference between the two can be larger than $1.43 an hour.
In Jacksonville, one driver running both apps gets more requests through Uber. Lyft sends offers, but a large share of them are Extra Comfort fares that do not clear his cost of operating a premium vehicle. The Black and XL trips that do clear it come through Uber, and Uber reservations show up in his feed throughout the day while Lyft reservations are uncommon.
In Atlanta and Miami, the same driver saw the reverse. Lyft was busier. It paid comparably to Uber and sometimes better, because more riders in those markets were opening Lyft first. More Lyft riders mean more Lyft requests, more surge windows, and a better chance that a good trip appears when he needs one.
Neither app performs the same way in every city, and the stronger one in your market this year may not be next year. If you are weighing Lyft specifically, our breakdown of how much Lyft drivers make in 2026 goes deeper on the Lyft side of these numbers.
Ride Type Controls Decide Which Trips You See
Which trips reach you depends partly on a setting most pay comparisons ignore.
In Jacksonville, Lyft offers three ride type choices for a premium vehicle: all ride types, Black only, or premium only. Premium only groups Lyft XL, Extra Comfort, and Black together. A driver who wants XL requests sees Extra Comfort offers in the same feed and declines the ones that do not pay enough.
Uber in the same market splits those controls apart. Black and XL can be switched on while Uber X and Comfort stay off.
In a standard sedan, that difference barely registers. It matters in a premium vehicle, where fuel, tires, and maintenance cost more per mile. Declining offers is free, but it costs time, and time spent sorting offers is time not spent on a paid trip.
These controls are also market dependent. In Atlanta, the same driver had more individual control over ride types on Lyft than he does in Jacksonville. Uber's controls vary by city too. Your market also decides how precisely you can filter for the work you want.
Tips Favor Uber and Per Mile Pay Favors Lyft
Across the rest of the numbers, neither app sweeps.
Tips run higher on Uber: about $2.97 per work hour against $2.12 on Lyft, roughly 40% more. On premium rides specifically, tipping behavior is similar on either app. What differs is how many premium rides you get offered, which loops back to demand in your market.
Bonuses are structured differently on each app. Lyft leans on percentage based bonuses that stay available for a set window. Uber uses fixed dollar surge that moves faster with demand, which means it can appear and disappear before you reach it. A longer window on a small percentage may add less to a fare than a short lived fixed dollar surge on a short trip. Neither structure wins every time, and a promotion on the map pays nothing until a request comes through.
Per work mile, Lyft edges ahead at $1.01 against Uber's $0.94. On longer trips that adds up. It also does not help if the requests are too thin to fill the shift, which is how Uber ends up paying more per week despite the lower per mile rate.
Pick Your Primary App on Your Own Numbers
There is no national winner. What matters is how much work each app can send you where you drive.
The way to find out is to run several comparable shifts on each app and track six things: total online time, active time, gross earnings, work miles, tips and bonuses, and time spent waiting between requests. Waiting time is the one most drivers skip, and in most markets it is where the weekly difference shows up. Tracking all six by hand across two apps is where most drivers give up, which is the part Gridwise automates. Link both platforms in Gridwise and your earnings sync from each while it logs the miles automatically, so you get active hours, gross pay, and per mile pay broken out by app across a full week. That is what tells you which of the two is actually paying you better in your market right now.
Once you know, run the stronger app as your primary and keep the other one on as a backup for slow stretches. Then test again when demand shifts.
Keep Reading
- UberX vs Uber Comfort vs Uber Black: Earnings, Requirements, and Which Tier Is Worth It
- How Much Do Uber Drivers Make in 2026? (Data from 500k+ Drivers)
- How Much Do Lyft Drivers Make in 2026? (Real Data from 500k+ Drivers)
See which app is paying you more this week. Download Gridwise free and track your earnings, miles, and waiting time across Uber and Lyft in one place.
How Much Do Uber Eats Drivers Make in 2026? (Data from 500k+ Drivers)
How much do Uber Eats drivers make? Forums and recycled blog posts say "$10 to $25 an hour." This guide uses actual 2025 earnings from 101,709 Uber Eats drivers tracked through Gridwise, part of a network of more than 500,000 gig workers, plus the platform-by-platform numbers from our Annual Gig Mobility Report.
The median Uber Eats driver makes $14.07 per hour in total trip pay, including tips. Tips are $6.26 of that. On averages instead of medians, Uber Eats drivers grossed $18.06 per hour in 2025, up from $17.87 in 2024.
Uber Eats also has a low barrier to entry. You can deliver with a car, bike, or scooter, and on foot in some markets. Uber rideshare requires a qualifying vehicle.
This guide covers hourly pay, per-delivery earnings, tip income, the best times to deliver, and how Uber Eats compares to DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber rideshare.
Quick answer: how much do Uber Eats drivers make per hour?
Uber Eats drivers earn a median of $14.07 per hour in total trip pay, based on 2025 data from 101,709 drivers tracked through Gridwise. Median means half of drivers earn more than $14.07 and half earn less. Add promotions and bonuses and the median gross pay is $15.03 per hour.
The top 25% of drivers earn $17.02 or more per hour. The top 10% earn $20.83 or more. All of these numbers are before gas, insurance, and vehicle costs.
Per delivery, the median driver earns $8.16 and completes 1.70 deliveries per hour. DoorDash drivers complete 1.51 per hour. More deliveries per hour is one reason Uber Eats drivers earn more per hour than DoorDash drivers.
Tips are a large part of Uber Eats pay. The median tip is $3.73 per delivery, which is 46% of the $8.16 median per-delivery total. Details below.
Uber Eats earnings breakdown
Here are the 2025 Gridwise numbers.
Hourly earnings
Total trip pay per work hour (base fare, surge, and tips combined):
- Median driver: $14.07/hr
- Top 25%: $17.02/hr
- Top 10%: $20.83/hr
Gross pay per work hour adds promotions and quest bonuses. The median is $15.03 per hour. That extra $0.96 per hour is $29 more over a 30-hour week, and it comes from drivers who hit quest targets and consecutive-delivery bonuses.
Per-delivery earnings
The median Uber Eats delivery pays $8.16 in total trip pay. The top 10% of drivers average $12.00 per delivery.
The range between a median delivery and a top-10% delivery is under $4. Rideshare trips vary far more: a single trip can pay $4 or $30. Uber Eats pay per delivery is more consistent, so you rarely get a big payout and you rarely get stuck with a very low one.
Deliveries per hour
Uber Eats drivers complete a median of 1.70 deliveries per hour. DoorDash drivers complete 1.51. That is 13% more deliveries per hour on Uber Eats, and more deliveries per hour means more pay per hour. The top 10% of Uber Eats drivers complete 2.28 deliveries per hour.
Want to know exactly what you make per hour, per delivery, and in tips? Download Gridwise free and track your real Uber Eats earnings automatically.
How Uber Eats pay works
Delivery pay has several parts, and it works differently from rideshare pay. Knowing the parts helps you decide which orders to take and when to log on.
Base pay
Every delivery includes a base pay amount. Uber sets it using estimated time, distance to the restaurant and then to the customer, and how desirable the order is. Uber does not publish the formula. Rideshare fares are mostly distance and time.
Base pay for a typical delivery is $2 to $8 before tips, depending on distance and complexity. Stacked orders (two restaurants or two customers on one trip) pay more per batch but less per individual delivery.
Trip supplement
Uber adds a trip supplement when nearby drivers are not accepting an order. If an order has been declined several times or involves a long drive, Uber raises the payout. If you decline a low offer, the same order may come back later at a higher price.
Surge and boost zones
During high-demand periods, Uber turns on surge pricing or boost zones for deliveries. Surge adds a multiplier or flat bonus to base pay. Boost zones are scheduled promotions shown in the app, for example "1.3x pay downtown between 6pm and 9pm." They are announced in advance, so you can plan shifts around them.
Promotions and quest bonuses
Uber offers these bonus incentives to delivery drivers:
- Quests: complete a set number of deliveries in a window (for example, 30 deliveries Friday through Sunday) for a flat bonus
- Consecutive delivery bonuses: extra pay for completing a streak of deliveries without declining
- Boost zones: scheduled multipliers in specific areas and time windows
- Sign-up and referral bonuses for new drivers
These promotions are the difference between total trip pay ($14.07/hr median) and gross pay ($15.03/hr median) in our data.
Uber's service fee
Uber takes a service fee on every delivery. It varies by market and order type, typically 15% to 30% of the delivery fee before tips. Uber does not take a cut of tips. 100% of customer tips go to you. Every earnings figure in this article is what drivers receive after Uber's fee.
How much do Uber Eats drivers make in tips?
Tips are a bigger share of pay on Uber Eats than on rideshare or most other gig platforms.
Tip earnings per delivery
- Median driver: $3.73 per delivery
- Top 10%: $6.20 per delivery
Tip earnings per hour
- Median driver: $6.26/hr
- Top 10%: $11.09/hr
The median Uber Eats driver earns $6.26 per hour in tips. The median Uber rideshare driver earns $2.08 per hour in tips. The top 10% of Uber Eats drivers earn over $11 per hour in tips.
Why tips are so high on Uber Eats
The median tip of $3.73 is 46% of the $8.16 median per-delivery pay. On Uber rideshare, tips are 6% to 7% of trip pay. Four reasons for the difference:
Customers tip at checkout, before the food arrives, and the app suggests preset amounts. Restaurant delivery has a long-standing tipping norm that rideshare never fully picked up. Order totals are often higher than a short rideshare fare, so percentage-based tip suggestions are higher too. And the customer usually sees you at their door, which keeps the tip personal.
How to maximize your Uber Eats tips
Tips are nearly half of per-delivery pay, so small changes add up. Deliver during dinner and weekend windows, when order values and tips are both higher. Skip low upfront offers from far-away pickups; the tip is usually included in the offer, so a low offer means a low tip. Keep food upright and sealed, follow the customer's drop-off notes, and send a short message when you pick up and when you arrive. Customers can change tips after delivery, and drivers who communicate are the ones who see tips go up.
Best times to deliver Uber Eats (earnings by day and time)
Gridwise tracks delivery earnings across all major platforms by day of week and time block. Here is what average gross earnings per hour look like for delivery drivers.
Dinner rush dominates (6pm to 8pm)
The highest-earning window is 6pm to 8pm. That holds every day of the week and is strongest on weekends.
Sunday 6pm to 8pm is the single best block at $18.28 per hour on average, 29% higher than the lowest weekday blocks. If you can only deliver during one window, make it Sunday evening.
Afternoon rush (3pm to 5pm)
3pm to 5pm is the second-best block on most days. Early dinner orders and snack deliveries pick up, and fewer drivers are online than at 6pm, so wait times between offers are shorter.
Late night pays well (12am to 5am)
Late-night and early-morning hours pay above average. The 3am to 5am window averages $16 to $17 per hour on most days, and midnight to 2am beats midday hours.
Fewer drivers are online late, so base pay runs higher, and late-night customers tip well. Most drivers skip this window.
Avoid midweek midday
The lowest-earning times are Tuesday through Thursday from 9am to 2pm, at $14 to $14.50 per hour.
The best block pays over $4 per hour more than the worst. Over a 20-hour week, that is $365 versus $285: $80 more per week, or more than $4,000 a year, from picking the right shifts. For more on timing, see the best times to drive for Uber Eats.
Want to find the highest-paying hours in your own market? Download Gridwise free and see the best times to deliver based on real earnings data.
How to earn more on Uber Eats
The median Uber Eats driver earns $14.07 per hour. The top 10% earn $20.83. That is a $6.76 per hour difference, and it comes down to which orders you take, where you wait, and when you work.
The video below profiles how a handful of experienced Uber Eats drivers approach the job, from which orders they skip to when they log on.
The sections below walk through each of those habits, starting with how top earners decide which orders to take.
Benchmark against the best
If you are at the median ($14.07 per hour, 1.70 deliveries per hour), the next target is the top 25% at $17.02 per hour. The top 10% earn $20.83 per hour, complete 2.28 deliveries per hour, and make $11.09 per hour in tips. Track your own numbers for two weeks and see which of those three you are furthest from. That tells you whether to work on order selection, positioning, or timing.
Multi-app to fill dead time
The fastest way to raise your hourly rate is to run multiple delivery apps at once. When Uber Eats is slow, DoorDash or Grubhub may have orders waiting. The key rules for multi-apping:
- Only accept one active order at a time unless the pickups and drop-offs are on the same route
- Pause the other apps as soon as you accept an order, so you are not declining offers and hurting your standing on the other platform
- Compare offers on pay per mile and pay per minute, not the headline dollar amount
- Keep completion rates high on every app; a cancellation costs more than a declined offer
- Track earnings across apps in one place so you know which one pays best in your market and hours
Position near restaurant clusters
Wait near dense restaurant areas such as shopping centers, downtown strips, and food courts, not residential neighborhoods. Closer to restaurants means faster pickups and more offers per hour. The top 10% of drivers complete 2.28 deliveries per hour versus the median 1.70, and much of that comes from positioning.
Be strategic about order acceptance
Not every Uber Eats order is worth taking. Experienced drivers judge each offer on dollars per mile (many use $1.50 to $2.00 per mile as a floor), total time including the restaurant wait, whether the drop-off keeps them in a busy zone, and whether the tip is already included in the upfront amount.
You can decline any order. Your acceptance rate does not affect your standing on Uber Eats the way it can on other platforms. Take the orders that pay, skip the ones that don't. Also track your deductible expenses; our guide to tax deductions for gig workers covers what counts.
Running Uber Eats alongside DoorDash or Grubhub? Download Gridwise free and track earnings across every app in one place, so you know which one pays best and when.
Uber Eats vs Uber rideshare vs DoorDash
Here is how Uber Eats compares to DoorDash and Uber rideshare using Gridwise data.
Uber Eats vs DoorDash
Uber Eats pays more per hour than DoorDash on every measure we track.
On medians, Uber Eats drivers earn $14.07 per hour in trip pay versus $11.26 on DoorDash, 25% more. Uber Eats drivers also complete more deliveries per hour (1.70 vs 1.51).
The 2025 averages from our Annual Gig Mobility Report show the same pattern:
- Average earnings per hour: Uber Eats $18.06, DoorDash $12.43
- Average earnings per mile: Uber Eats $1.27, DoorDash $0.94
- Average weekly gross: Uber Eats $198, DoorDash $247
- Average weekly hours: Uber Eats 11.5, DoorDash 18.8
DoorDash drivers gross more per week because they work about seven more hours. Per hour and per mile, Uber Eats pays more. For the full comparison, see Uber Eats vs DoorDash pay in 2026. Grubhub is the closest competitor on hourly pay at $18.67 average; see Grubhub vs Uber Eats pay.
Uber Eats vs Uber rideshare
Rideshare pays more per hour. The median Uber rideshare driver earns $21.18 per hour in trip pay versus $14.07 for Uber Eats. On 2025 averages, Uber rideshare drivers grossed $23.88 per hour and $522 per week over 21.2 hours. Uber Eats drivers grossed $18.06 per hour and $198 per week over 11.5 hours.
Per mile, Uber Eats pays more: $1.27 versus $0.94 on rideshare. Delivery trips are shorter, so you put fewer miles on your car for each dollar earned. Rideshare also requires a newer qualifying vehicle, passengers in your car, and usually higher insurance costs. For the rideshare numbers, see how much Uber drivers make.
When each platform makes sense
Uber Eats fits drivers who want part-time work, use a bike, scooter, or older car, and do not want passengers. The average Uber Eats driver works 11.5 hours a week. Most people use it as a supplement, not a full-time job.
Uber rideshare fits drivers with a qualifying vehicle who want the highest hourly rate and will work longer shifts at peak times.
DoorDash fits markets where Uber Eats demand is thin, and it works as the second app in a multi-app setup. Many drivers run both delivery apps and take whichever offer pays more.
Is Uber Eats worth it in 2026?
Yes, for the right driver. Uber Eats pays more per hour than DoorDash, about the same as Grubhub, and is one of the easiest gig platforms to start on.
The case for Uber Eats: average hourly earnings rose to $18.06 in 2025, average weekly gross rose 12.8% to $198, and you can start with almost any vehicle. Tips are a large, steady share of income. Your acceptance rate does not put your account at risk, so you can be selective.
The downsides: the median driver earns $14.07 per hour before gas and vehicle costs, and per-mile pay fell 2.6% year over year to $1.27. Uber does not publish the base pay formula. Nearly half of per-delivery income is tips, so a bad tipping night is a bad night. Weekly earnings are modest because most Uber Eats drivers work short weeks. If you need $500 or more a week, you will need to combine Uber Eats with another app or work the peak windows hard.
Uber Eats is best for part-time earners who want a flexible schedule, drivers without a rideshare-eligible vehicle, night owls who can work 12am to 5am, and multi-appers who want a second delivery platform with strong hourly pay.
Uber Eats driver pay FAQ
Can you make $1,000 a week doing Uber Eats?
At the median $14.07 per hour, you need about 71 hours a week to hit $1,000. At the top 25% level ($17.02/hr) it drops to about 59 hours, and at the top 10% ($20.83/hr) to about 48 hours. It is possible but takes long weeks and peak-hour focus. A realistic target for a full-time driver working 40 hours is $560 to $830 a week, depending on skill and market. See how to make $1,000 a week with Uber Eats for the strategy.
Does Uber Eats pay more than DoorDash?
Yes. The median Uber Eats driver earns $14.07 per hour versus $11.26 on DoorDash, 25% more. On 2025 averages it is $18.06 versus $12.43. Uber Eats drivers also complete more deliveries per hour (1.70 vs 1.51). See how much DoorDash drivers make for the DoorDash breakdown.
How much do Uber Eats drivers make in tips?
The median Uber Eats driver earns $3.73 per delivery in tips, or $6.26 per hour. The top 10% earn $6.20 per delivery and $11.09 per hour. Tips are 46% of per-delivery pay on Uber Eats, compared with 6% to 7% on Uber rideshare. See how much Uber Eats drivers make before tips.
Is Uber Eats better than driving Uber?
Uber rideshare pays more per hour ($21.18 median vs $14.07) but requires a newer qualifying vehicle and passengers. Uber Eats has lower vehicle requirements, lower vehicle costs, better pay per mile ($1.27 vs $0.94), and no passengers. Many drivers do both and take whichever offer pays more.
What is the best time to deliver Uber Eats?
6pm to 8pm, especially on weekends. Sunday 6pm to 8pm pays the most at $18.28 per hour on average. Late night (12am to 5am) pays $15 to $17 per hour. The lowest-paying times are Tuesday through Thursday from 9am to 2pm at $14 to $14.50 per hour. Peak hours pay over $4 per hour more than slow times.
How much do Uber Eats drivers make per week?
The average Uber Eats driver grossed $198 per week in 2025, up 12.8% from $175 in 2024, working an average of 11.5 hours. At the median hourly rate, 30 hours a week is roughly $420 to $450 before expenses.
Start tracking your Uber Eats earnings today
Uber Eats pays a median $14.07 per hour in trip pay and an average $18.06 per hour in 2025, well ahead of DoorDash. Tips are $3.73 per delivery, nearly half of per-delivery income, and $6.26 per hour. The top 10% of drivers earn $20.83 per hour by working peak windows, waiting near restaurant clusters, and declining low offers.
The way to move from the median to the top 25% is to know your own numbers: what you earn per hour, per delivery, and in tips, by day and time. Then change the one that is furthest behind.
Want to see how your Uber Eats earnings compare to 101,709 other drivers? Download Gridwise free and track your earnings, find the best times to deliver in your market, and see where you stand.
How to Become an Uber Driver in 2026: Requirements, Sign-Up, and What to Expect
Signing up to drive for Uber or deliver with Uber Eats is one of the fastest ways to start earning money on your own schedule. Whether you want to give rides, deliver food, or do both, the application process is straightforward, but there are specific requirements and steps you need to know about before you begin.
This guide walks you through the entire process from start to finish, covering both Uber rideshare and Uber Eats. We will explain what you need to qualify, how to submit your application, how long approval takes, what it costs to get started, and what to expect during your first week on the road. If you are looking for a detailed breakdown of vehicle and driver requirements specifically, check out our complete guide on Uber driver requirements before you apply.
Quick Answer — How to Sign Up for Uber in 5 Steps
Here is the short version of how to become an Uber driver or Uber Eats driver in 2026:
- Download the Uber Driver app from the App Store or Google Play
- Enter your personal information including your name, email, phone number, and Social Security number
- Upload your required documents: driver's license, vehicle registration, insurance, and a profile photo
- Consent to a background check run by Checkr (takes 3-10 business days)
- Complete a vehicle inspection (rideshare drivers only, $20-$50 depending on your market)
Estimated total time from application to first trip: 7 to 14 days.
Most of that waiting period is the background check. The actual application itself takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. The rest of this guide breaks down each step in detail and covers everything else you need to know, including how Uber Eats sign-up differs from rideshare.
Uber Driver vs. Uber Eats Driver — What's the Difference?
Before you sign up, it helps to understand the difference between driving for Uber (rideshare) and delivering for Uber Eats. They use the same app and the same sign-up process, but the requirements, earning potential, and day-to-day experience are different.
Uber Rideshare (UberX, Comfort, XL, etc.):
- You transport passengers from point A to point B
- Stricter vehicle requirements (4-door, must be 16 years old or newer, no cosmetic damage)
- Must be 21 or older in most markets (25 in some)
- Higher earning potential per trip
- Requires a vehicle inspection before you can start
Uber Eats (Delivery):
- You pick up food orders from restaurants and deliver them to customers
- More flexible vehicle options, you can deliver by car, bike, scooter, or even on foot in some markets
- Lower age requirement (18+ in most markets)
- No vehicle age requirement for delivery-only drivers
- No vehicle inspection required
- Lower barrier to entry overall, but tips make up a larger portion of your income
Can you do both? Yes. When you sign up through the Uber Driver app, you can choose to enable both rideshare and delivery. Once approved, you can toggle between them at any time depending on what is available and what you feel like doing. Many drivers stack Uber Eats deliveries during slow rideshare periods to keep their earnings consistent.
Which Should You Choose?
If your main goal is to maximize earnings per hour, rideshare generally pays more on a per-trip basis, especially during surge pricing. However, it requires more investment upfront (a qualifying vehicle, inspection, and insurance) and means having strangers in your car.
If you want the lowest barrier to entry and maximum flexibility, Uber Eats is the way to go. You can start with almost any vehicle, or no vehicle at all in some cities, and work at your own pace without interacting with passengers. Many drivers start with Uber Eats while they figure out whether they want to commit to rideshare.
If you are on the fence, sign up for both. There is no downside to having both options available, and you can always adjust later based on what works best in your market.
Requirements to Drive for Uber (Rideshare)
To drive for Uber's rideshare service, you need to meet requirements for both yourself and your vehicle. Here is a summary of the key qualifications, for a full deep dive, see our complete Uber driver requirements guide.
Driver requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old (some markets require 25)
- Hold a valid U.S. driver's license, you must have had it for at least one year (three years if you are under 25)
- Have a clean driving record with no major violations in the past seven years
- Pass a background check through Checkr
- Have a valid Social Security number
Vehicle requirements:
- Four-door vehicle
- Must be model year 2010 or newer (varies by city, some markets require 2012 or newer)
- No salvage or rebuilt title
- No significant cosmetic damage
- Must pass a vehicle inspection
- Must be registered and insured in your name (or you must be listed on the policy)
Insurance requirements:
- Must carry at least your state's minimum auto insurance coverage
- A rideshare endorsement or commercial policy is strongly recommended, though not always required by Uber
- Uber provides supplemental liability coverage while you are online and on trips, but it does not cover your vehicle's damage, that gap is where a rideshare endorsement matters
The specific requirements can vary by city and state, so always check Uber's website for your local market. Some cities have additional requirements like a TLC license (New York City) or specific permits.
Requirements to Deliver for Uber Eats
The requirements for Uber Eats delivery are notably less strict than rideshare:
- Age: 18 or older (compared to 21 for rideshare)
- License: Valid driver's license if delivering by car. If delivering by bike, scooter, or on foot, no driver's license is needed, just a government-issued ID
- Vehicle: Car, bike, electric bike, scooter, or on foot (availability varies by market)
- No vehicle age requirement for delivery-only sign-ups
- No vehicle inspection required for delivery drivers
- Background check: Still required, same process as rideshare
- Insurance: Required if delivering by car (same as rideshare), not required for bike or foot delivery
This lower barrier to entry is a big reason why "how to become an Uber Eats driver" is one of the most searched gig economy phrases. If you meet the basic age and background check requirements, you can likely start delivering within a week or two.
Step-by-Step Sign-Up Process
Now let's walk through the actual application process. Whether you are signing up for Uber rideshare, Uber Eats, or both, the process starts the same way.
Step 1 — Download the Uber Driver App
Search for "Uber Driver" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Make sure you download the Uber Driver app, not the regular Uber rider app, they are two separate applications. The Uber Driver app has a green icon, while the rider app has a black icon.
You can also start your application online at uber.com/drive, but you will eventually need the app to complete the process and to actually accept trips once you are approved.
Step 2 — Enter Your Personal Information
Once you open the app, you will be prompted to create a driver account. You will need to provide:
- Your full legal name (must match your driver's license exactly)
- Email address
- Phone number (Uber will send a verification code)
- Social Security number (for the background check)
- Your city or market area
If you already have an Uber rider account, you can use the same email to sign up as a driver. The system will link both accounts.
At this stage, you will also choose whether you want to drive (rideshare), deliver (Uber Eats), or both. You can change this later, so if you are unsure, select both to keep your options open.
Step 3 — Upload Required Documents
This is where the process takes the most hands-on effort. You will need to upload clear photos of:
- Driver's license (front and back)
- Vehicle registration (if driving a car)
- Proof of insurance (if driving a car)
- Profile photo: a clear, front-facing photo of your face with no sunglasses or hats
Tips for getting your documents accepted on the first try:
- Take photos in good lighting with no glare or shadows
- Make sure all four corners of each document are visible in the frame
- Ensure text is legible and not blurry, hold your phone steady
- Your profile photo should be taken against a plain background with your face clearly visible
- Make sure your name matches across all documents exactly (middle name, suffixes, etc.)
- Do not crop or edit the photos before uploading
Document review typically takes one to three business days. If something is rejected, Uber will notify you in the app with a specific reason, and you can re-upload immediately. The most common rejection reasons are blurry photos, glare obscuring text, and name mismatches between documents.
Step 4 — Consent to Background Check
After your documents are submitted, Uber will prompt you to consent to a background check through Checkr, their third-party screening provider. This is a required step for both rideshare drivers and Uber Eats delivery partners.
What Uber checks:
- Criminal history (county, state, and federal records going back seven years)
- Sex offender registry
- Motor vehicle records (driving violations, suspensions, DUIs)
- SSN verification and identity confirmation
Typical timeline: 3 to 10 business days, with most applicants cleared within five business days.
You do not need to do anything during this waiting period, it runs automatically after you provide consent. You can check your status at any time in the Uber Driver app under the "Account" section.
For a complete breakdown of what the background check covers, what disqualifies you, and what to do if there is a problem, read our detailed guide on the Uber background check.
Step 5 — Complete Vehicle Inspection (Rideshare Only)
If you are signing up to drive rideshare passengers, your vehicle must pass an inspection before you can go online. Uber Eats delivery drivers can skip this step entirely.
Where to get your inspection:
- Uber-authorized inspection stations (search in the Uber Driver app for locations near you)
- Some mechanics and auto shops that are Uber-approved
- Certain Uber Greenlight Hub locations (available in larger markets)
What they check:
- Working headlights, taillights, and turn signals
- Tire condition and tread depth
- Brakes
- Seatbelts for all passenger seats
- Working horn and windshield wipers
- No significant body damage or mechanical issues
- Interior cleanliness and condition
Cost: Typically $20 to $50, depending on your market and where you go. Some markets offer free inspections at Greenlight Hubs. You pay out of pocket, Uber does not reimburse this cost.
The inspection form must be uploaded to the Uber Driver app. Once it is reviewed and approved (usually within one to two business days), you are cleared to start accepting rides.
Download Gridwise alongside the Uber Driver app to track your earnings, find peak hours, and maximize your income from day one.
How Long Does It Take to Get Approved?
From the moment you submit your application to the moment you can accept your first trip, expect the process to take 5 to 14 days in most cases.
Here is how that breaks down:
- Application and document upload: 15-20 minutes
- Document review: 1-3 business days
- Background check: 3-10 business days (runs in parallel with document review in many cases)
- Vehicle inspection review: 1-2 business days (rideshare only)
For Uber Eats delivery drivers who are not using a car, the timeline is often shorter since there is no vehicle inspection or insurance verification step. Some Uber Eats applicants are approved in as little as three to five days.
What can delay your approval:
- Blurry or rejected documents (adds 2-4 days while you re-upload)
- Background check holds, if Checkr needs to verify records across multiple counties, it can take longer
- Name mismatches between your license, registration, and insurance
- Expired documents (insurance or registration)
- High application volume in your market during peak sign-up periods
What to do while you wait:
- Use the time to set up your car (phone mount, charger, dashcam)
- Research your local market to understand peak hours and busy areas
- Read through Uber's driver policies and community guidelines
- Download Gridwise and start exploring earnings data and peak hours in your area so you are ready to hit the ground running
What If You're Denied or Waitlisted?
Not every application gets approved. Here is what you need to know if you run into issues.
Common denial reasons:
- Felony conviction within the past seven years
- DUI or major driving offense on your record
- Too many moving violations
- Suspended or revoked license
- Vehicle does not meet requirements
- Failed vehicle inspection
How to appeal through Checkr:
If your denial is based on your background check, you have the right to dispute the results directly with Checkr. Checkr will send you a copy of the report, and you can file a dispute if you believe any information is inaccurate. The dispute process typically takes 30 days.
You can start a dispute at Checkr's candidate portal (candidate.checkr.com). You will need the report ID from the email Checkr sent you.
Waitlisted, what it means:
In some markets, Uber places new applicants on a waitlist when they have enough drivers in the area. This does not mean you were denied, it means your market is temporarily saturated. Waitlists can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. There is no way to speed up the process, but you will be notified by email and in the app when a spot opens.
If you are waitlisted for rideshare, you may still be able to start with Uber Eats in the meantime, since delivery has separate capacity limits.
How Much Does It Cost to Become an Uber Driver?
Signing up for Uber is free, there is no application fee. However, there are real costs associated with getting started, and it helps to know what you are getting into financially.
Startup cost breakdown:
- Vehicle inspection fee: $20-$50 (rideshare only; free at some Greenlight Hubs)
- Insurance upgrade (rideshare endorsement): $0-$50/month extra depending on your provider and state
- Phone mount: $10-$25
- Car phone charger: $10-$20
- Dashcam (optional but recommended): $50-$150
- First tank of gas: $40-$70
- Car wash and interior cleaning: $10-$30
Estimated total to get started: $50 to $300, depending on your market and what you already own.
If you are signing up for Uber Eats delivery only (especially by bike or on foot), your startup costs are essentially zero beyond what you already have.
What Uber provides vs. what you need:
- Uber provides the app, navigation, payment processing, and supplemental insurance while you are on a trip
- Uber does not provide a vehicle, phone, phone mount, dashcam, or personal auto insurance
- Uber does not reimburse gas, maintenance, or any startup costs
One thing to keep in mind: all of these expenses, plus your gas and car maintenance costs, are tax-deductible as business expenses since you are an independent contractor. Keep your receipts from day one.
What to Expect Your First Week
Getting approved is just the beginning. Your first week driving for Uber or delivering for Uber Eats will involve a learning curve, and knowing what to expect will help you avoid common mistakes and start earning faster.
Navigating the app for the first time:
The Uber Driver app can feel overwhelming at first. Before you go online, spend 10 to 15 minutes exploring the interface. Familiarize yourself with how to go online and offline, how to view and accept trip requests, where to find your earnings summary, and how to contact rider or customer support.
Choosing your first rides or deliveries:
For your first few trips, stick to areas you know well so you are not relying entirely on GPS navigation. This reduces stress and lets you focus on the pickup and drop-off process. If you are doing rideshare, shorter trips close to home are a good way to get comfortable before tackling airport runs or long highway trips.
Understanding surge pricing and promotions:
Uber uses dynamic pricing (called "surge") that increases fares when demand is high, think Friday and Saturday nights, morning rush hour, or during bad weather. The app shows you a heat map of surge areas in real time.
As a new driver, you may also qualify for sign-up bonuses or guaranteed earnings promotions. These vary by market and change frequently, but they can be worth hundreds of dollars if you hit the required trip count within the specified timeframe. Check the "Promotions" tab in the Uber Driver app to see what is available in your area.
Setting realistic earnings expectations:
Your first week will probably not be your highest-earning week. You are still learning the best times to drive, the most profitable areas, and how the app works. Most new Uber drivers earn between $15 and $30 per hour before expenses during their first week, depending on their market. For a detailed look at what you can expect to make, check out our guide on how much Uber drivers make.
Do not compare your earnings to what full-time veteran drivers post online. They have optimized their strategy over months or years. Focus on learning the patterns in your market during week one.
First-Week Tips from Experienced Drivers
Here are tips that experienced Uber drivers wish they had known during their first week:
- Drive during peak hours first. Friday and Saturday evenings (7 PM to 2 AM) and weekday morning rush (6 AM to 9 AM) are consistently the busiest and highest-paying times in most markets. Start there.
- Keep your car clean and stocked. For rideshare, a clean car with a phone charger available for riders goes a long way toward better ratings and tips.
- Do not chase surge. By the time you drive to a surge area, it often disappears. Instead, position yourself near bars, restaurants, or event venues where you know demand will spike.
- Accept most trips your first week. Your acceptance rate matters less than you think long-term, but early on, every trip is a learning opportunity. Get your first 20 to 30 trips under your belt before you start being selective.
- Track everything from day one. Your mileage, gas receipts, car washes, and any other driving-related expenses are all tax-deductible. Start a tracking system now so you are not scrambling at tax time.
- Download Gridwise alongside the Uber Driver app. Gridwise shows you real-time earnings data, peak demand times, and airport queue information for your specific market. Having that data from your first day gives you an advantage most new drivers do not have.
How to Maximize Your Earnings from Day One
Use Gridwise to find peak hours in your market. Gridwise aggregates earnings data from thousands of drivers in your area and shows you exactly when and where demand is highest. Instead of guessing, you can plan your shifts around proven peak windows. This alone can increase your hourly earnings by 20% or more compared to driving at random times.
Stack Uber Eats with rideshare during slow periods. If you are approved for both, toggle on Uber Eats delivery during times when rideshare requests slow down (typically mid-afternoon on weekdays). This keeps you earning instead of sitting idle.
Take advantage of new driver promotions and bonuses. Uber frequently offers sign-up bonuses, guaranteed earnings, and quest promotions for new drivers. These can range from $100 to $1,000+ depending on your market. Check the Promotions tab in the Uber Driver app and make sure you understand the requirements (usually a specific number of trips within a set timeframe). For a full breakdown of current promotions, see our guide on Uber driver bonuses.
Learn your market's patterns. Every city is different. In some markets, airport rides are the money maker. In others, it is bar close on weekends. Pay attention to where your best fares come from during your first two weeks, and build your schedule around those patterns.
Download Gridwise alongside the Uber Driver app to track your earnings, find peak hours, and maximize your income from day one.
FAQ
Can I drive for Uber and Lyft at the same time?
Yes. There is nothing preventing you from being active on both platforms simultaneously. Many drivers toggle between Uber and Lyft (and even Uber Eats and DoorDash) to maximize their trip volume and reduce downtime. Just make sure you only accept one trip at a time and that you are not double-booking rides.
Do I need a special license to drive for Uber?
In most U.S. cities, no. A standard driver's license is all you need. However, some cities have additional licensing requirements. New York City, for example, requires a TLC (Taxi and Limousine Commission) license. Check Uber's requirements page for your specific city.
Can I drive Uber with a rental car?
Yes, but only through Uber's approved rental partners. You cannot use a personal rental from Enterprise or Hertz. Uber partners with companies like Avis and Hertz through specific programs designed for rideshare drivers. These rentals typically cost $200 to $350 per week and include insurance.
How old do you have to be to drive for Uber Eats?
You must be at least 18 years old to deliver for Uber Eats. This is lower than the 21-year minimum for Uber rideshare. If you are between 18 and 20, Uber Eats delivery is your only option on the Uber platform.
Do I need my own car to deliver for Uber Eats?
No. Depending on your market, you can deliver using a bicycle, electric bike, scooter, or even on foot. Car delivery is available everywhere, but alternative modes of transportation are only available in select cities, usually larger urban markets. Check the Uber Eats section of the Uber Driver app during sign-up to see which options are available in your area.
Can I sign up for both Uber and Uber Eats at the same time?
Yes, and this is actually what Uber recommends. During the sign-up process in the Uber Driver app, you can select both rideshare and delivery. You will go through one application and one background check. Once approved, you can switch between driving passengers and delivering food at any time from within the app. There is no extra fee or separate application for adding Uber Eats to your driver account.
Curious how much you will actually make? Download Gridwise to see real-time demand in your market so you can plan your first week strategically.
Work smarter. Earn more.
Whether you drive, deliver, or pick up shifts — Gridwise helps you track earnings, mileage, and performance so you stay in control of your work. Download the app and take charge today.
