Uber Eats Driver Review 2024

If you’re looking for a side gig or full-time job with flexible hours, the ability to make your own schedule, and control over how little or much you work, becoming an Uber Eats driver is a great way to do it.

Unlike some independent contractor jobs, there’s no interview process, and getting started is as simple as downloading the app onto your smartphone or visiting Uber’s website to apply.

In this Uber Eats driver review, we’ll unpack how Uber Eats works for drivers, compare it to alternatives, and show you how you can earn money on the app.

About Uber Eats

Uber Eats launched in 2014, extending the most popular ride-hailing platform’s reach into food delivery services. Today, Uber Eats is available in 45 countries, serving more than 6,000 cities worldwide.

A recent financial report revealed that Uber made $10.9 billion in revenue through Uber Eats in 2022. And data from Statista shows that Uber has 24% of the food delivery market share, second to DoorDash.

The company’s 2020 acquisition of Postmates made it even more prevalent, and the platform continues to be one of the most popular side hustles for freelance rideshare drivers.

Pros and Cons of Driving for Uber Eats

Pros

  • Offers peak pay incentives
  • Flexible hours
  • Instant payout option

Cons

  • Less competitive pay than DoorDash
  • Promotions are limited in some cities

Uber Eats Driver Requirements

Uber Eats has different requirements for car, scooter, and bike deliveries. Here’s an overview:

Delivery by Car

  • 19+ years old
  • 2 or 4-door car
  • Valid drivers license
  • Social Security Number
  • Consent to a background check

Delivery by Scooter

  • 19+ years old
  • Motorized scooter under 50cc
  • Valid drivers license
  • Social Security Number
  • Consent to a background check

Delivery by Bicycle/Foot

  • 18+ years old
  • Government-issued ID
  • Social Security Number
  • Consent to a background check

Uber Eats doesn’t require drivers to have the registration in their name to qualify; however, drivers must maintain an insurance policy on the vehicle they are driving in accordance with local and state laws.

Sign Up Process

Signing up to become an Uber Eats driver is a relatively straightforward process you can complete entirely online.

It requires a background check/screening, and you’ll need to upload some required documents along with your photo before you can begin.

After you register as a driver, you’ll be able to connect your bank account, select your preferred GPS app, and start accepting deliveries as soon as you’re approved.

Booking Jobs

Uber Eats lets you accept orders on-demand at any time, rather than scheduling hours in advance. Just note there’s a 12-hour daily limit.

The Uber Eats app shows you the restaurant and order information, plus the general area of the delivery location. You can accept or decline order requests.

Once you accept an order, you’ll get step-by-step directions and be able to see any delivery instructions the customer may have left. Then, you can pick up and drop off the order to get paid.

Payment Process

Uber Eats has three payment options for drivers:

  • Instant pay: When you link a debit card, you can get up to five instant payouts per day for a $0.50 service fee.
  • Uber Pro Card: Uber also offers a debit card that gives you free instant cashouts after every drive. The card also comes with up to 10% in cashback rewards on gas.
  • Weekly payments: You can also opt for free weekly direct deposits to your bank account.

How Much You Can Earn with Uber Eats

Uber Eats drivers earn an average of $15-$25 per hour. The platform offers base pay, plus a service fee and tips. How much you earn depends on your location, the distance and time required for the delivery, and the amount the customer tips.

As a driver, you keep 100% of the tips you earn. You can also earn extra money when there’s high demand with Uber’s surge pay.

While Uber Eats’ pay is slightly less competitive than DoorDash, it’s still one of the more lucrative food delivery apps to drive for.

You can also increase your earnings (and keep things interesting) by driving for Uber Eats and other apps services like Uber, Lyft, and Grubhub on the same day.

Driver Support

If things go wrong or you have a question on the road, it’s important to have access to customer support. Uber offers 24/7 support by phone for its drivers. The Uber app and website also feature helpful guides and FAQs to assist you.

In some cities, you can get face-to-face driver support. Drivers can schedule consultations at Uber’s Greenlight locations for hands-on assistance, a resource most of Uber’s competitors don’t offer their drivers.

Safety

Uber recently integrated its app into Apple CarPlay, and it was received with great reviews. It has now implemented the same technology for Android Auto.

This allows drivers to display the Uber screen, especially the trip information, on their car’s larger screen, allowing for more safety and fewer distractions while driving.

Courier Parking and Drop Offs

One of the largest challenges for Uber Eats drivers is finding convenient parking for food deliveries. The Uber app offers a free tool that shows free parking.

The app also includes detailed information about where the customer requests the dropoff to eliminate delays and avoid reducing your hourly pay because the job took longer.

The assistance includes map labels, pictures of the location, and clear route lines so there is no confusion when making a delivery.

Time is money when delivering for Uber Eats, so having the fastest route is important. Uber recently implemented real-time navigation alerts that other drivers can share so you can make informed decisions on your routes.

The app also provides real-time information on any obstacles, such as roadwork, accidents, or lane closures. This information comes from TomTom, and the app will suggest an alternate route.

Review Process

Uber Eats relies on feedback from everyone to ensure they are delivering food and other items timely and safely. Because Uber recognizes that Uber couriers rely on their income, they’ve made the review and potential deactivation process fair.

The Uber Review Center allows drivers to appeal a deactivation decision or to ask for an additional review. They can also provide evidence to prove something different than what was reported to Uber.

Uber has also improved their system so customers cannot make false allegations simply to get a refund. This new system helps protect drivers and prevents unwarranted deactivations.

Finally, Uber offers the opportunity for drivers to take a drug test if they’re accused of drug abuse to avoid permanent deactivation. The drug test is through LabCorp, and Uber covers the cost of the test.

Uber Eats Driver Reviews

We’ve driven for Uber Eats, spoken with other drivers, and read dozens of reviews to get insight into what it’s like to earn extra income with the app.

One of the best features Uber Eats drivers have noted is its flexibility. Driver requirements are few and far between, you can book orders any time without worrying about advanced scheduling, and you can cash out instantly.

The biggest drawback we’ve experienced and found in Uber Eats driver reviews is the limited earning potential. Sometimes there’s less demand than others, and it isn’t always the highest-paying app.

We also noticed some reviews that cited glitches in the app, which is common with older phones and dated versions of the app.

Does Uber Eats Offer a Sign-Up Bonus?

Yes, and no. Established Uber Eats drivers can earn a reward by referring someone. This amount varies by location. To qualify, the person you refer must make a certain number of deliveries during a set time period.

As far as a new driver earning a sign-up bonus, it’s a bit more complicated. Rather than calling it a bonus, Uber Eats offers new drivers an incentive as a guaranteed payment amount you will receive if you complete a certain number of deliveries.

There are a lot of exceptions and restrictions as to how this incentive is calculated, so make sure to read over the offer carefully to ensure you understand the conditions when you sign up.

Is Uber Eats Worth It?

Having a flexible schedule and the ability to set your own hours could definitely make driving for Uber Eats worth it, especially if you like the idea of acting as your own boss.

Uber Eats drivers typically make around $20 to $25 an hour, but by taking advantage of some of their incentives and bonuses, you could find yourself making a lot more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Uber Eats drivers earn?

Uber Eats drivers average about $15-25 per hour before incentives and bonuses. This varies by region and by the effort each driver puts into it.

Is Uber Eats driving worth it?

If you like the idea of setting your own schedule, driving when you want to, and earning around $20/hr. Uber Eats is a great way to make extra cash.

Does Uber Eats pay for gas?

No, when you use Uber, the company does not reimburse you for gas expenses. You will need to pay for your own gas, but we recommend using cash back apps like GetUpside to save at the pump.

Do Uber Eats drivers get paid on the same day?

Yes and no. Uber Eats drivers can cash out their earnings from that day for a fee or by using Uber’s debit card. But, if you keep your earnings on the app, you’ll get paid out once per week in the form of a direct deposit.

How much do Uber Eats drivers make before tips?

Some drivers have self-estimated that tips make up about 40-60% of their earnings. That would mean that without tips, the $20-25 an hour would drop down to about $8-15 an hour. This varies by market and by customer. Not all customers will tip.