How to Become a Grubhub Driver [Step-By-Step]

If you want to make money delivering food, this guide will show you the requirements and procedures on how to become a Grubhub driver.

  • Grubhub drivers earn around $20 per hour, with flexible scheduling and 100% of tips.
  • Becoming a Grubhub driver is easy—no special skills, fees, or experience required.
  • You need a vehicle, valid license, insurance, and must pass a background check.
  • Grubhub pays more than DoorDash on average and offers instant or weekly payouts.
Brett Helling
August 20, 2024

Table of Contents

Ever thought about becoming a food delivery driver?

In today's booming gig economy, there's always a demand for food delivery services.

The global online food delivery economy is expected to grow by 12.67%, with a market volume of $1.65 trillion by 2027.

Among the best food delivery service platforms, Grubhub still stands as the most reliable platform for beginners in the industry and people who want to earn extra cash the easy way.

In this guide, we'll show you how to become a Grubhub driver, how to use the Grubhub driver app, how to set up your profile, and how to register and apply as a Grubhub driver.

Becoming a Grubhub Driver: An Overview

As a Grubhub driver, Grubhub will assign you to deliver food orders to customers via GPS and collect your payment for the delivered items.

Grubhub is an online food delivery platform, and its app lets customers browse local restaurants or take-out spots to place an order.

Customers can track their orders until a Grubhub driver delivers them to the customers' doorstep.

For those of you looking for the best delivery services to work with, Grubhub offers a popular gig job, both part-time and full-time, with excellent earnings and on-time payment.

Anyone with a valid driver's license, a driver app, and a car, can work as a Grubhub delivery driver.

How Much Do Grubhub Drivers Make?

According to Glassdoor, Grubhub drivers earn an average of $20 per hour. But, this approximation doesn't account for location or driver experience.

To calculate how much Grubhub drivers earn, Grubhub has a fixed formula that their delivery staff uses:

Per order rate + $0.50 per mile traveled from the starting destination + 100% of tips = your total delivery earnings

The 'per order rate' part refers to the Grubhub delivery rates, which can increase if you deliver larger orders.

This element also depends on your location because some cities with higher living standards have much higher rates.

Don't let this discourage you, though; Grubhub delivery drivers earn solid payments, regardless of where they work, firmly planting this gig among the best second jobs out there.

Even less populated areas have high-activity order volumes, and if you're fast and efficient, you can make a nice earning.

Grubhub doesn't touch your tips; you get 100% of them. Just be efficient, polite, and on time, and you'll maximize your potential for earnings in no time.

What You'll Need to Become a Grubhub Driver [& Associated Costs]

While you won't need previous delivery experience, there are some necessary things to have or do to begin working as a Grubhub food delivery driver.

  • Vehicle: You must have your own vehicle before you apply to Grubhub as a driver for contact-free delivery. A car is a standard option, but Grubhub also allows bikes in New York and San Francisco, and this can be a more time-efficient method for dodging rush hours and being punctual on your schedule.
  • Driver's license: If you opt for a car or motorbike, you'll need a driver's license valid for at least two years before registering.
  • Driver's auto insurance: Aside from a driver's license, Grubhub requires you to provide proof of car insurance as well.
  • State ID: You'll need a valid State ID if you plan to do the deliveries via bicycle, on foot, or on public transportation.
  • Checking account: You'll also need to have an active back account so you can receive payment.
  • Pass the Grubhub Background Check: Once you have all things and paperwork in order, Grubhub will require you to pass their background check. If you have any problems with this step, here's a handy guide on how to pass the Grubhub Background Check.

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Grubhub Driver?

Starting your Grubhub doesn't cost anything, as there are no starting fees.

You just need to have a bicycle, or a car, along with a driver's license, proof of car insurance, and a registered account to start driving with Grubhub.

Of course, if you don't own a vehicle yet, you should consider that a basic bicycle model can cost a few hundred dollars.

You can also get a used car, which ranges from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousand dollars, depending on location, age of the car, model, and its condition.

Is it Hard to Become a Grubhub Driver?

No, getting a job as a driver at Grubhub is not hard because the company always needs independent contractors, as many workers come and go.

There's no requirement for a high school diploma, resume, special skills, or experience as a delivery driver, so anyone with the right paperwork is welcome to join.

To be a successful Grubhub driver, all you have to do is be punctual, on time, successfully complete your delivery tasks, and maintain excellent customer service.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Grubhub Driver?

This depends on their policies and how many workers Grubhub needs in a specific area. It may take a few days or months if you're in a densely populated area.

Grubhub will send you an SMS link on your phone or email where you can check your application progress. As soon as a new position is open, they will contact you to fill in.

If you're working as a Grubhub delivery driver and you've recently moved, refer to their transfer guide to learn more about requesting a transfer.

How to Become a Grubhub Driver in Six Simple Steps

Step 1: Register and Submit Your Application

First, you must sign up and register on Grubhub as a driver and complete your application for this gig. You can do this either by registering via their Grubhub Driver mobile app or website.

To register on Grubhub, click the "Sign up to deliver" button on the lower corner of your screen, where you can select your location, fill out all the necessary info, and submit the required paperwork, like proof of driver's license and vehicle insurance card.

Once you do that, Grubhub will provide you with a PIN on your mobile phone number, and you'll need to confirm it when you log into the Grubhub driver app.

Step 2: Complete the Survey and Driver Requirements

Grubhub will provide you with a survey with six questions you need to complete, as well as guidelines for the Grubhub driver requirements.

If you meet all the requirements and complete the survey, Grubhub will send you an email confirmation that you will be required to complete the job interview.

Step 3: Complete the Background Check and Onboarding Process

You will also go through the Grubhub background check, where they will check your driving record to see if you are fit for work.

Afterward, you will be tasked to complete an online onboarding session where they will provide you with a delivery bag and a uniform that is required for your delivery orders and tasks.

As soon as Grubhub approves your application process, they will email you a link as an acceptance letter.

Step 4: Set Up Your Account and Details

Then, you will need to set your password, fill in your personal details, and add a professional photo of yourself to your driver's profile.

If you have problems with the app, contact Grubhub's support at 1-312-637-8458 or via email: deliverypartners@grubhub.com.

Step 5: Set Up Your Trust Settings on Your Mobile Phone

The Grubhub app is your main workstation besides your vehicle. This is where you will receive your orders, routes, monitoring, and tracking process.

For the app to work properly, it's important to set your 'Trust Settings' on your phone before you can begin your deliveries.

Depending on your phone's interface, go to Settings and allow the Grubhub app all the necessary permissions.

Step 6: Choose How To Be Paid

You can choose how you want to get paid via the Grubhub app, and you can either choose to be paid via direct deposit or Grubhub's Instant Cash Out method.

If you choose direct deposit, Grubhub sends you your payment every Thursday directly to your bank account.

If you choose Instant Cash Out, you have the option to withdraw your money on a daily basis, and you can cash out up to $500 each day.

Step 7: Schedule Your Work Hours

The best thing about Grubhub delivery is that you can set your schedule using the app.

You can control which days a week and how many hours you can work by setting your timeframe on your driver app via the 'Taking Offers' button.

Reasons to Consider Driving for Grubhub

Driving for Grubhub has lots of perks and benefits both for newcomers and veterans.

If you're still not convinced, here are some of the most important points why you should consider Grubhub as a viable delivery gig.

  • Anyone can join: Grubhub is more popular than other platforms because is that drivers can be younger (19 years) than other companies like Uber Eats, which require you to be at least 21 years old.
  • Better income: You can make good money with Grubhub compared to other delivery partners like DoorDash. On the total average, the earnings difference is in cents, but this can be a huge margin for those who plan to work long-term gigs.
  • Flexible schedule: Besides enjoying fast and competitive pay, Grubhub also allows you to set your hours, which can benefit most workers.
  • Opportunity for growth: Once you get the hang of this job and cement your workflow and regular routes, your reputation as a delivery driver will grow. What's more, Grubhub's onboarding process will teach you how to schedule blocks, among other useful tips and tricks on maximizing your profits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Grubhub Pay More Than Doordash?

While Doordash has pretty similar earning margins, Grubhub ($15.49) pays a bit more on average than Doordash ($15.28 per hour). The difference is in cents, but this can mean a lot in periodical earnings in the long run, especially for long-term employees.

How Long Does the Waitlist Take for Grubhub?

Depending on your area, it can take a couple of days to weeks or months. Also, you'll be activated faster if you're available to work during peak hours when Grubhub needs drivers the most.

Similar Gigs to Check Out

Aside from Grubhub, there are other profitable ways to earn money via driving.

Here are some of the most lucrative delivery and transport businesses that are excellent for beginners and experts.

  • How to Become a DoorDash Driver: Want to be a 'Dasher'? This guide will show you how to maximize your profits working as a delivery worker for DoorDash.
  • How to Become a UPS Driver: If you feel that working for Grubhub isn't worth it, you can try your luck with UPS as your alternative driving gig. This guide will show you how to become a successful courier.
  • How to Become an Uber Eats Driver: Being accepted as an Uber Eats driver takes considerably less time than Grubhub, so you might want to consider the requirements and perks of this delivery platform, too.

Wrapping Up

Whether you're a beginner or an expert, working for Grubhub might be one of the most viable, well-paying gigs in the delivery industry.

Once you register, pass the background check, and get the hang of the routes, you can slowly build up your portfolio and reputation to make serious cash.

Let us know in the comments if you found this article useful!