Introduction
In the past decade, app- based gig work has gained immense popularity, and has subsequently facilitated the development of the modern gig economy. One of the most popular forms of gig work in both the traditional and app based gig economy is food delivery work. Of all the app based platforms dedicated to food delivery, Uber Eats is by far the most popular. Whether you’re an existing Uber driver looking for a way to increase your income or completely new to delivery apps, this article will show you how to get started with Uber Eats.
What is Uber Eats?
Launched in 2014 by rideshare company Uber, Uber Eats is an on-demand food delivery service that allows users to order and pay for food using an Android device, IOS device, or internet browser. Uber Eats is available in 6,000 cities worldwide, and has 600,000 partner restaurants.
Getting Started with Uber Eats
Are you already a driver on the Uber Platform?
If you are an existing driver on the Uber platform, signing up for delivery work through Uber Eats is quite simple. Through your existing Driver app, all you need to do is go under the Account Menu and select the Work Hub. After this, you need to click on the button that says Deliver food with Uber. After this, the Driver app will present you with a set of terms and conditions that you need to accept. Once you do this, you will be all set to begin accepting deliveries. As a side note, you don’t need to worry about delivery driver requirements, as Uber and Uber Eats have almost the same driver requirements for those participating in gig work using their car.
What if I’m not already an Uber driver?
If you’re not already an Uber driver, you need to take a few more steps before you can actually start delivering. First, you need to make sure that you conform to all of Uber’s worker requirements for delivery drivers.
Delivery by Car
- Meet the driving age in your city
- Have a 2-door or 4-door car
- Have a driver’s license in your name
- Social Security number for the background check
Delivery by Scooter
- Be at least 19
- Have a motorized scooter that is under 50cc
- Have a driver’s license in your name
- Social Security number for the background check
- When you sign up for the driver app, select Delivery by scooter under transportation method
Deliver by bicycle or on foot
- Be at least 18
- Have some form of government ID
- Social Security number for the background check
- When you sign up for the driver app, select Delivery by bicycle or foot under transportation method
Once you determine what type of delivery method you will be utilizing, you are ready to sign up to become a new Uber Eats driver. The way you do this is through filling out a new application either through the Uber Driver App or on the Uber website. On both modes of signing up, you will need to provide some basic information, like your full name, your email address, your date of birth, and the location you intend to deliver in. An optional step in signing up for an Uber account is to use an invite code. After this, you will be allowed to continue your application.
Application Step 1:
- You will be presented with a menu that asks you if you would like to participate in delivery or rideshare on the Uber platform, and what method of transportation you will be using to provide these services
- Make sure you select one of the options that has delivery in them, along with your preferred mode of transportation
Application Step 2:
- If you select the options involving either delivery by electric scooter or car, you’ll be asked for some more information
- You will be asked for your full legal name, Driver’s license number, Date of birth, and Social Security Number.
- If you select bicycle or foot delivery, you’ll be asked for your full legal name, government issued ID number, Date of birth, and Social Security Number.
- This step is all in an effort to get cleared by Uber’s background check
Application Step 3:
- If you elected to use your car to complete deliveries, this step is all about uploading the documents that Uber requires of all its car-based delivery drivers
- These documents include a profile picture, a picture of your Driver’s license, a picture of your Vehicle insurance, and a picture of your Vehicle registration
Application Step 4:
- At this point, all you’re really required to do is wait for Uber to accept or reject your application for deliveries.
- Once you are approved, you’ll be all set to accept deliveries. In the meantime, it would serve you well to get acquainted with some best practices while delivering/financials.
Making Deliveries with the Driver App
Delivery Step 1:
- Before making a delivery, you need to have something to deliver. This can be done through going into your driver app and going online
- After going online, the driver app will allow you to accept delivery requests in your area
Delivery Step 2:
- The driver app will guide you through how to get to the restaurant that the delivery was requested from
- Once you arrive, let the staff know that you are there to pick up an order. You are responsible for matching the name and order number given on your driver app when picking up your order
Delivery Step 3:
- Once your pickup is confirmed, the driver app will give you directions to drop off your order
- Special instructions, like if the customer requested for you to just leave the order at a specified location or if they will come meet you at a specific location, will be displayed on the driver app
Delivery Step 4:
- If you are having trouble locating the customer or having issues related to the actual delivery item, you can contact the restaurant or the customer through the delivery app
- If you have issues making the delivery, you can cancel the delivery, but keep in mind that cancelling too many deliveries can result in your account being deactivated
Understanding Finances
Now that you know the basics of how to become an Uber Eats delivery driver and how to actually make deliveries using the driver app, you’re probably wondering how much you get paid in the first place.
How is my pay determined?
Uber Eats breaks down what determines driver pay into three basic categories:
Standard Delivery Fare
- This is simply the fare you earn for the distance you travel, the amount of time you travel for.
- You may also be compensated extra for the amount of traffic and delays you encounter while making the delivery
Multiple Order Fare
- When you pick up multiple orders at the same time, a multiplier is applied to the amount you earn delivering
- Depending on how far the different restaurants are, this multiplier can be very large or quite trivial
Promotion Related Fare
- When you operate as a delivery driver in a time where there is a lot of demand for delivery, Uber Eats gives delivery drivers an opportunity to earn more
- This is quite specific to the area in which you deliver, and is more likely to be important if you are delivering in busy metropolitan areas
Toll Refunds
- If you are making deliveries using a four-wheeled vehicle, Uber Eats will refund you for any tolls you may have incurred during delivery
- The driver app automatically detects when you have gone through a toll, and refunds you. This refund can be seen on your weekly account statement
Now that you know how Uber Eats calculates how much you are entitled to through participating in delivery work, how do you actually access the extra cash you have earned?
How to Get Paid with Uber Eats
Just like with driving for Uber, the earnings you make while delivering are automatically transferred to your driver account. This makes it quite convenient to cash out using Instant Pay or transferring funds to a bank account.
Instant Pay
- Go to the menu icon on the driver app
- Inside the menu, select earnings, and tap on Cash out to transfer
- You can then transfer money directly to a debit card, but keep in mind that a 50 cent fee will be applied if you don’t transfer your earnings to an Uber Visa Debit Card
Bank Transfer
- Before you can transfer funds to a bank account, you need to link your bank account to your driver app through the Payments menu
- In the payments menu, go to the banking tab
- After this, enter all your bank account details. This should make you all set for transfers.
