Doordash Sign-Up Bonus: Everything You Need To Know

If you’ve contemplated making extra money as a DoorDash driver through their sign-up and driving bonuses, we can help. When you’re looking for a way to make extra money fast, delivering food is a great side hustle. DoorDash offers multiple incentives to help you maximize your pay as a food delivery driver. 

You probably already knew you get to keep 100% of the tips you earn. But did you know you can earn even more than the base pay and tips? Let’s dive deep into the perks to figure out how to turn your wheels into wealth!

How Much Money Do DoorDash Drivers Make?

Doordash drivers, called Dashers, drive for lots of reasons. They drive to destroy debt, save for a big purchase, or even make retirement more comfortable. Dashing is a super flexible side hustle too. You can work the hours that you choose for yourself, work as much (or as little) as you want, and get paid fast. Learn more in our DoorDash driver review.

DoorDash drivers are paid per delivery rather than a flat hourly rate, and they keep 100% of their tips. Each order pays a different amount. You can see what an order pays before you choose to accept it. DoorDash will use this formula to determine how much each driver makes — base pay + promotions + tips.

Base pay can range from $2-$10 per order depending on the size and complexity of the order. 

Does DoorDash Have Driving Bonuses?

Yes. Doordash may offer promotions for drivers who complete a specific number of deliveries within a certain time frame. Or they’ll have incentives for delivering in certain locations during peak hours.

Once DoorDash approves your application, you can view promotions through the DoorDash app. (We’ll explain how to become a driver below.) A sample promotion might be to earn an extra $1 per completed delivery between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in a certain location. That means you would earn base pay + promotion pay + tips!

How to Become a DoorDash Driver

The DoorDash application process only takes about five minutes. Be sure to have your driver’s license nearby, and head over to the website or app. You must consent to a background check, which takes a couple of days on average. You can start driving as soon as you’re approved in most markets. 

Requirements to Be a DoorDash Driver

Before you hit the road as a DoorDash driver, there are a few requirements you’ll need to meet:

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old to drive for DoorDash.
• Vehicle: You’ll need a mode of transportation, such as a car, scooter, or bike, to make deliveries. Your vehicle must meet DoorDash requirements, which typically include valid registration, insurance, and a clean driving record.
• Smartphone: You’ll need a smartphone (iOS or Android) to access the DoorDash app and receive delivery requests.
• Background Check: DoorDash conducts a background check on all potential drivers to ensure the safety of its platform. This check typically includes a review of your driving record and criminal history.
• Availability: While DoorDash lets you choose your schedule, you need to drive during peak hours to make the most money. Peak times vary by market, but think lunch and dinner hours.

Understanding DoorDash Guaranteed Earnings for New Drivers

Guaranteed Earnings incentives are available for select new Dashers in specific areas. This is different from an added bonus. Instead, it’s a promise to pay a certain amount of money for a set amount of deliveries in a specific time frame. 

Let’s say DoorDash guarantees $1,000 to new Dashers who complete 100 deliveries in their first 30 days. If the base pay for the 100 orders you complete in the first 30 days would equal $800, then you would receive an extra $200 to reach the $1,000 promised. But if the total value of the 100 orders you complete during the first 30 days is over $1,000, you won’t earn extra. 

When you sign up, the Dasher app will notify you if you qualify for a Guaranteed Earnings offer.

How Do DoorDash Guaranteed Earnings Work?

Here’s a breakdown of how DoorDash Guaranteed Earnings typically operate:

• Acceptance window: DoorDash usually sets a specific time frame, often referred to as a “dash period,” during which drivers must complete a certain number of deliveries to qualify for guaranteed earnings.
• Minimum earnings: DoorDash guarantees that drivers will earn a specified minimum amount during the dash period, provided they meet the requirements outlined by the company.
• Additional earnings: In addition to the guaranteed minimum, drivers can still earn additional income through peak pay fees, tips, and any bonuses or incentives offered by DoorDash.

Advantages of DoorDash Guaranteed Earnings:

DoorDash Guaranteed Earnings offer several advantages for drivers:

• Income stability: DGE provides drivers with a sense of financial security by ensuring they earn a minimum amount for their time and effort.
• Predictable earnings: Knowing the minimum amount they’ll earn allows drivers to better plan their finances and schedule.
• Incentive to dash: Guaranteed Earnings serve as a motivating factor for drivers to accept and complete more orders, thereby increasing their overall earning potential.

Unlocking Additional DoorDash Driving Bonuses

DoorDash often offers additional bonuses and incentives to drivers beyond guaranteed earnings for eligible drivers. These may include:

• Peak pay bonuses for driving during busy times
• Referral bonuses for recruiting new drivers

• Challenges that pay extra money for completing a certain number of deliveries or tasks in a set amount of time
• Delivery Streaks, available in certain markets, which let Dashers make more money by accepting and completing offers consecutively while on a dash during the promotion timeframe

By taking advantage of these extra bonuses, you can maximize your earnings and stack up the cash even faster.

More Tips for Maximizing Your Earnings

Now that you know about the various bonuses DoorDash offers, let’s talk about some strategies for maximizing your earnings as a driver:

• Plan your schedule: Keep an eye on peak delivery times in your area and schedule your dashes accordingly to take advantage of peak pay bonuses.
• Be strategic: Choose delivery zones with high demand to increase your chances of receiving orders. Experienced Dashers also keep an eye on the customer app to see what restaurants are offering deals, and then hang out near those restaurants to wait for orders.
• Provide excellent service: Happy customers are more likely to tip, so always strive to provide prompt and friendly service to boost your earnings.
• Refer friends: Take advantage of DoorDash’s referral program by referring friends to become drivers. Not only will you earn a referral bonus, but you’ll also have a driving buddy to share tips and tricks with.
• Focus on larger orders: Before you accept an order, you can see how much it pays.  Consider going for the larger, higher-paying orders to make the most money and potentially earn more in tips. 
• Use navigation apps: Sitting in traffic limits the number of orders you can complete, so keep an app like Waze open to help you find the route with the least jams.
• Add DoorDash to your weekly routine: You can pick up an order while you’re already out running errands or on your way home from work. 

Final Words

So that’s the lowdown on Doordash driving bonuses and sign-up bonuses. Whether you’re looking to make a quick buck on the side or turn delivery driving into a full-time hustle, DoorDash offers plenty of bonus opportunities to pad your wallet. 

To make the most money, watch the app for special promotions and drive during peak hours. The more you Dash, the more you earn!