20 DoorDash Driver Tips In 2023 [From Top Earning Dashers]

Delivering food for DoorDash can be a great way to make some extra money. However, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you make even more money!

In this blog post, we will discuss 20 of the best tips and tricks for DoorDash drivers. We will cover everything from how to maximize your earnings to how to handle difficult customers. So whether you are a new driver or an experienced one, read on for some valuable information!

DoorDash

DoorDash is a food delivery service that partners with local restaurants in order to deliver meals to customers. Customers can order through the DoorDash app or website and drivers will then pick up the food and deliver it to the customer. Drivers are able to keep 100% of their tips, which makes this an attractive option for many people looking to make some extra money.

It is great for those who want to be their own boss, set their own hours, and make some extra money.

You will be able to work as little or as much as you want and can take advantage of busy times, such as lunch and dinner rushes, to make the most money. Plus, you get to listen to your own music and choose your own routes!

DoorDash Driver Tips – How To Make More Money As A Driver

Here are 20 tips and tricks that will help you make more money as a DoorDash driver:

1. Be smart about orders you accept:

You can use the DoorDash app to see how much an order will pay before you accept it. If an order is not going to be worth your time, it is best to just decline it and move on to the next one. There is no need to waste your time on an order that isn’t going to give you a good payout.

It will take a little bit of time to get a feel for which orders are worth your while, but after a while, you will get a good sense of it. Just remember to always check the payouts before you accept an order!

2. Deliver during busy periods and aim for peak pay:

DoorDash offers higher payouts during peak hours and busy periods. So if you want to make the most money, it is best to deliver during these times. Of course, this means that you will have to deal with more traffic and possibly less-than-ideal delivery conditions. But the extra money is definitely worth it!

To find out when peak hours are in your area, just open up the DoorDash app and check the “Earnings” tab. Here you will see a list of all the times when DoorDash boosts its payouts. Plan your deliveries around these times to make the most money.

3. Double-check orders before leaving:

Before you leave for delivery, it is always a good idea to double-check the order to make sure that everything is correct. This way, you can avoid any issues when you arrive at the customer’s location. To do this, just open up the order in the app and check that all of the items are correct.

If you see any errors, just give the restaurant a call to let them know. They will be able to correct the order so that you can deliver it without any problems. Double-checking orders may take a little bit of extra time, but it is definitely worth it to avoid any issues!

4. Grab extras for customers:

If you are able to, it is always a good idea to grab extras for the customer. This could be things like napkins, utensils, or condiments. Customers will appreciate the extra effort and it may even result in a bigger tip! It will also show that you are paying attention to their order and care about their experience.

So next time you are at the restaurant, be sure to grab a few extras for the customer. They will definitely appreciate it!

5. Separate hot and cold items:

If you are delivering food that has both hot and cold items, it is best to keep them separate. This will help to ensure that the food arrives at the customer’s location in the best condition possible. It can be tempting to just throw everything into one bag, but it is definitely worth taking the extra time to separate the items.

It has been known to happen where hot food items arrive cold and vice versa. So do yourself (and the customer) a favor and keep hot and cold items separate!

6. Use a mileage tracking app:

If you want to maximize your earnings, it is a good idea to use a mileage tracking app. This will allow you to track how much you are earning per mile so that you can make sure you are getting the most out of each delivery. There are a few different apps that you can use for this, but we recommend using DashMiles.

Mileage tracking apps are a great way to ensure that you are getting the most out of each delivery. They can also help you save money on taxes! So if you haven’t already, be sure to download a mileage tracking app and start using it today.

7. Stay in touch with the customer:

Once you have accepted an order, be sure to stay in touch with the customer. This way, they will know that you are on your way and they can be prepared for your arrival. You can do this by sending them a text message or giving them a call.

Some customers may even ask you to keep them updated on your location so that they can track your progress. Regardless, it is always a good idea to stay in touch with the customer so that they know what is going on.

8. Deliver with care:

When you are delivering an order, it is important to handle it with care. This is especially true if the order is fragile or if it contains hot food items. Be sure to take your time and delivery the order as safely as possible.

If you are ever in doubt about how to deliver an order, just give the customer a call. They will be able to give you instructions on how they would like the order delivered.

So this is definitely something to keep in mind next time you are out making deliveries!

9. Check for special instructions:

Before you leave for delivery, be sure to check for any special instructions. This could be things like “call when you arrive” or “deliver to the back door”. These instructions are usually included in the order notes section of the app.

If you see any special instructions, be sure to follow them. This will help to ensure that the customer is happy with their order. It will also show that you are paying attention to detail and taking the time to do things right.

10. Cancel orders (Sparingly)

As a DoorDash driver, you have the option to cancel orders if you need to. However, it is important to only do this sparingly. If you cancel too many orders, your account could be deactivated.

Of course, there are always going to be times when you need to cancel an order. But if possible, try to avoid it. And if you do need to cancel an order, be sure to let the customer know as soon as possible.

11. Leave a good impression:

When you are making a delivery, it is important to leave a good impression on the customer. This could be something as simple as being polite and friendly. Or it could be going above and beyond to make sure the delivery goes smoothly.

Either way, you want the customer to remember you in a positive light. This could result in them giving you a bigger tip or even ordering from you again in the future.

12. Wait near multiple restaurants:

One way to increase your chances of getting an order is to wait near multiple restaurants. This way, you will be in the vicinity no matter where the order comes from. And if there are multiple orders in the area, you will be more likely to get one of them.

So if you are looking for delivery, be sure to wait near multiple restaurants. This could help you get more orders and make more money!

13. Be friendly:

This one should be a no-brainer, but it is still worth mentioning. When you are out making deliveries, be sure to be friendly! This will help you build rapport with the customers and they will be more likely to tip well. It will help you build a good reputation as well that is positive.

Friendliness goes a long way, so make sure you are being friendly when you are out making deliveries! So if you want to make more money as a DoorDash driver, remember to smile and be friendly!

14. Get a grocery delivery cart:

If you are going to be doing a lot of grocery deliveries, then it might be worth investing in a grocery delivery cart. This will make it easier to transport the groceries and it will also help keep them organized.

It might cost a bit of money to get a delivery cart, but it will definitely be worth it in the long run. So if you deliver groceries often, make sure to get a grocery delivery cart!

15. Wear a DoorDash shirt (Or be presentable):

If you want to make a good impression on the customers, then it is important to dress appropriately. Wearing a DoorDash shirt is always a good idea. But if you don’t have one, just make sure you are presentable.

This doesn’t mean that you need to be wearing a suit or anything like that. But you should at least be clean and well-groomed. Customers will appreciate it if you take the time to look presentable.

16. Aim for on-time pay:

One of the best things about DoorDash is that you can get paid very quickly. In fact, you can even get paid instantly if you want! All you need to do is set up Instant Pay and then you can withdraw your earnings anytime, anywhere.

Of course, there is a small fee for using Instant Pay. But it is definitely worth it if you need your earnings right away. So if you want to get paid quickly, be sure to set up Instant Pay!

17. Try the Para app:

If you are looking for another way to make money, then you should definitely check out the PARA app. It is a great way to make extra money by delivering food and other items.

Para has a few different delivery options, so you can choose the one that best fits your schedule. And if you complete a certain number of deliveries, you can even earn bonuses!

So if you are looking for another way to make money, be sure to check out the PARA app. It is a great way to make extra cash by delivering food and other items.

18. Work during busy times:

If you want to make the most money possible, then you need to work during the busiest times. This is usually during lunch and dinner hours. But it can also be late at night or on weekends.

The best way to find out when the busiest times are is to log into the app and check the “heat map.” This will show you where most orders are. And it will also give you an idea of how busy it is in certain areas.

19. Learn the Restaurants:

If you want to be a successful DoorDash driver, then you need to learn the restaurants. This means knowing the menu items and how to properly pronounce them. It also means knowing the restaurant’s policies on things like substitutions and modifications.

The best way to learn about a restaurant is to ask the staff questions. They will be more than happy to help you out and they will appreciate your willingness to learn. So if you want to be a successful DoorDash driver, make sure to ask questions and learn about the restaurants!

20. Strive for Good Reviews:

One of the best ways to make more money as a DoorDash driver is to strive for good reviews. This means delivering the food on time and in good condition. It also means being friendly and polite to the customers.

If you can get good reviews, then you will be more likely to get repeat customers. And they will be more likely to tip you well. So if you want to make more money, be sure to strive for good reviews!

FAQs

1. How to get more orders on DoorDash?

One of the best ways to get more orders on DoorDash is to be active during peak hours. Peak hours are typically when people are getting off work or school and are looking for a quick and easy meal option. By being online and available during these times, you’ll be more likely to get orders.

Another way to get more orders is to make sure your profile is complete and up-to-date. Having a clear profile picture and a few sentences about yourself can go a long way in attracting customers.

Finally, be sure to keep your car clean and presentable. Customers will often times judge drivers based on the condition of their car, so it’s important to make a good impression.

2. Is DoorDash safe?

Yes, DoorDash is safe. The company has a strict background check policy for all of its drivers and requires them to have a clean driving record. In addition, DoorDash offers insurance coverage for all of its drivers in case of an accident.

Also, all of the orders that are placed through DoorDash are tracked by GPS, so the company always knows where its drivers are. This helps to ensure that both drivers and customers remain safe throughout the process.

3. Does DoorDash pay daily?

No, DoorDash does not pay drivers daily. Instead, the company pays out once a week on Mondays. So, if you have any outstanding earnings from the previous week, they will be deposited into your account on Monday morning.

And if drivers want to get paid sooner, they can always sign up for DoorDash’s fast Pay program, which allows drivers to cash out their earnings daily for a small fee.

4. Does DoorDash pay for gas?

No, DoorDash does not reimburse drivers for gas. Drivers are responsible for their own gas and expenses while out on a shift. However, many drivers find that the money they make through DoorDash more than covers the cost of gas. It’s important to factor in your gas expenses when considering whether or not DoorDash is worth it.

5. DoorDash Bike vs Car - What's best?

It really depends on the area you’ll be driving in and your own personal preference. If you’re driving in a densely populated city, a bike may be the best option as it will allow you to navigate through traffic more easily.

However, if you’re driving in a more suburban or rural area, a car will likely be the better option as you’ll be able to cover more ground and make deliveries more quickly.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which mode of transportation is best for your situation.

So those are some of the most frequently asked questions about DoorDash. If you’re thinking about becoming a driver, hopefully, this has helped answer some of your questions. And if you’re already a driver, hopefully, these tips will help you make even more money!

Conclusion:

Hopefully, these tips will help you whether you’re a new or experienced DoorDash driver. Doordash can be a great way to make some extra money, but it’s important to know how to maximize your earnings. Be sure to factor in your expenses, such as gas, and focus on getting good reviews from customers. If you do, you’ll be well on your way to making more money with DoorDash.

We hope you enjoyed this blog post. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading!