That’s the whole bar. No interview, no resume, no orientation class.
Here’s exactly what Uber asks for, how sign-up goes, and how the money works once you’re on.
Uber Eats driver requirements
What you need depends on how you deliver:
| How you deliver | Minimum age | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Bike or on foot | 18 | A government-issued ID and a Social Security number |
| Motorbike or scooter | 19 | A valid driver’s license in your name and a Social Security number |
| Car | 19 (21 in California and New York State) | A 2-door or 4-door vehicle, a valid driver’s license in your name and a Social Security number |
Everyone in the US has to pass a background screening, and in many markets you’ll need proof of residency too. Delivering on foot only works in some cities, so check yours before you plan on walking orders.
Notice what’s not on that list? A 4-door car. A 2-door counts here, which is more than some delivery gigs will say.
How to sign up for Uber Eats, step by step
- Sign up as a delivery person on Uber’s site or in the Uber Driver app.
- Consent to the background screening.
- Upload your documents and a photo.
- Wait for the notice that you’re active, then go online and start taking requests.
Activation generally takes from a few minutes to 48 hours, depending on how fast your documents and screening clear. Have your ID or license and your SSN in front of you before you start and it goes quick.
Already drive for Uber?
Then you’re basically done. In the Driver app, go to Account, then Work Hub, add Food Delivery and accept the delivery terms. You can switch delivery requests on and off whenever you want, so rides and food run from one app.
How Uber Eats pays you
Your earnings are base fare plus promotions plus tips. You keep 100% of tips, and you see the fare, including any upfront tip, before you accept. If a request isn’t worth the drive, pass on it.
Uber doesn’t publish an average hourly figure. So be skeptical of any site that hands you one. What you make comes down to your city, the hours you run and how picky you are with requests. Uber Pro tiers add perks the more you deliver.
Payday is weekly by default: your earnings move to your bank automatically. Want it sooner? Instant Pay lets you cash out up to 6 times a day for $1.25 per cash-out to a personal debit card. Do that daily and it adds up, which is the point of the Uber Pro Card. It gets you free automatic payouts after every trip.
So, is driving for Uber Eats worth it?
Uber Eats
Best for: the lowest bar to start delivering
- What it is
- Uber’s delivery gig: food, groceries and packages through the Uber Driver app.
- What you do
- Flip the app on, take the requests worth taking, and get them there however your city lets you: car, scooter, bike or on foot.
- How much it pays
- You keep every tip, plus the base fare and whatever promotions are running, and you know the fare before you accept. Money moves to your bank weekly on its own. Instant Pay is $1.25 a pop, up to 6 times a day, or free with the Uber Pro Card.
- The catch
- There’s no posted pay rate, and car delivery starts at 19 (21 in California and New York State).
Worth it? Yes if you want to start fast with whatever you’ve got. You can deliver on a bike at 18, and activation usually takes 48 hours or less.
Uber Eats or DoorDash?
Closer than people think. If you’re 18 and want to drive a car, DoorDash is the one that takes you. On a bike or on foot, Uber Eats is the easier yes. Plenty of drivers run both and take whichever offer’s better.
The full side-by-side is in DoorDash vs Uber Eats, and if you want a third app for slow hours, here are more apps like DoorDash. Only free on Saturdays and Sundays? Uber Eats is one of the easier weekend jobs to fit around a 9 to 5.
Uber Eats driver FAQ
How old do you have to be to deliver for Uber Eats?
18 on a bike or on foot. 19 on a motorbike, scooter or in a car, except 21 by car in California and New York State.
Do you need a car to drive for Uber Eats?
No. Uber Eats takes bikes, scooters and, in some cities, people on foot. If you do use a car, a 2-door or 4-door works.
How long does Uber Eats take to approve you?
Uber says activation generally takes from a few minutes to 48 hours, depending on your documents and the background screening.
How do Uber Eats drivers get paid?
Weekly by automatic transfer to your bank. Or use Instant Pay to cash out up to 6 times a day for $1.25 each. The Uber Pro Card gets free automatic payouts after every trip.
Can I switch from Uber rides to Uber Eats?
Yes. In the Driver app go to Account, then Work Hub, add Food Delivery and accept the delivery terms.
Next step
Want to compare Uber Eats with every other delivery app? Here are the best food delivery jobs side by side.
Sources (2)
- Uber. Deliver with Uber. uber.com.
- Uber. Instant Pay. uber.com.
More gigs like this live in the app-based gigs hub. Or see what’s paying right now across every kind of side gig.
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