FAQs for starting a Delivery Business

How do I apply?

Typically, filling out basic information (like your mobile phone number, driver’s license, and other documents) takes less than 30 minutes. Then a few more things need to happen:

Lyft Application

What do I need to start driving with Lyft

You must have a driver’s license, a background check (criminal and driving record), a 4-door vehicle, and a phone.
Lyft Requirements

How much do I make in the delivery business?

Lyft reports drivers making up to $18 –$31 / hr driving in Washington, DC.

Indeed

How and Life Asset help me?

A micro-loan with Life Asset can cover upfront or unexpected costs. For example, a phone, a car purchase/repair, a bicycle, security systems for your vehicle.

Life Asset Training

Life Asset Loan Application

What is it like working with Lyft?

You can work as much or as little as you want and you can work for multiple companies. Often, to create a steady income you’ll need to work during peak demand hours, but you are not required to work any specific shifts. You are responsible for paying for your own fuel, insurance, maintenance, and cleaning your vehicle.

How do you file your taxes as a delivery driver?

You’ll be an independent contractor and receive a 1099. You’ll need to file estimated taxes on a quarterly basis because taxes will not be automatically taken from your income. If you’re driving a lot, you may be be eligible for tax deductions surrounding mileage, car repairs, maintenance and depreciation.

Lyft: How to File Your Taxes, DMV Reciprocity Agreement

How often to you get paid?

Your pay is based on the time and distance of a ride and you keep 100% of your tips. All payments are made through the Lyft Driver app weekly, so you’ll need to add your banking info to get paid. You can also set up Express Pay to cash out when you want.

Weekly Deposit Timeline and FAQ

Do I need insurance?

Yes, personal auto insurance.

Lyft Insurance FAQ
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Can I rent a car

Yes, you can rent a car as a ride share driver or as a regular person seeking a rental for a roadtrip through Lyft’s partnership with Hertz. You can rent a car and earn with Lyft FlexDrive which is available in Washington, DC and Baltimore. You must be at least 25, a deposit and a credit or debit card. You can use your rental car unlimited for work or personal use (renter is the only driver allowed to drive he car). You can keep your rental for as long as you need as long as you’re paying your weekly fee. Renting a car will take from your profits so you’ll need to decide if renting a car works for your budget

Lyft Rentals FAQ

How To Rent A Car With Lyft In 2022 For Drivers

Are there and sign-up / referral bonuses

Occasionally, Lyft sometimes offers sign up or refferal bonuses so you may want to search the web or email uber to see if they’re offering any bonuses in your area.

Everything You Need to Know About Uber and Lyft Referral Bonuses

How can I track Lyft expenses?

Hurdlr app helps track expenses so you can get the most our of your tax filing.

Hurdlr App

Can I rent a car?

Door Dash has a partnership with Hertz so you can rent a car through Hertz and be eligible for some “commercial rental” deals.
Door Dash Car Rental and Maintenance Deals

Does Door Dash offer health insurance?

As an independent contractor you are not eligible for health insurance, however, Door Dash has a partnership with Stride which offers more options than Healthcare.gov
Door Dash Health Insurance with Stride

What is a Red Card?

Doordash will give drivers a Red Card that you will you to pay for orders. The Red Card is preloaded to pay for exactly what you’re picking up. The Red Card is not used connecting to your bank account and you do not get paid on this card, it is only used as a means to pay for the orders you are picking up.
The Dasher Red Card (Video)

How can I track Door Dash expenses?

The Hurdlr app helps track expenses so you can get the most our of your tax filing
Hurdlr app

Can I rent a car?

Door Dash has a partnership with Hertz so you can rent a car through Hertz and be eligible for some “commercial rental” deals.
Door Dash Car Rental and Maintenance Deals

How do I apply?

You will need to fill out an application through the Amazon app or through their website. It usually takes about 3-5 business days to get you signed up as a driver.
Amazon Flex Application
Ridester’s Guide to Applying for Amazon Flex

What do I need to deliver for Amazon?

You must pass a background check and have a SSN. You need to be 21, have a phone and a car. If you are delivering Prime Now orders, you can use any car that can safely and reliably transport Amazon orders to customers.

If you are delivering Amazon.com orders, you’ll need to use a 4-door, mid-sized sedan or larger vehicle, such as a truck with a covered bed, SUV, or a van that can safely and reliably transport Amazon orders to customers. Smaller cars and trucks with open beds do not qualify.
Motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and motorized scooters do not qualify at this time.
Amazon Flex Requirements Webpage
Ridester’s Guide to Amazon Flex Requirements

How much can I make delivering for Amazon Flex?

$18-$25 depending on your area
Indeed page with average hourly wages

How and Life Asset help me?

A micro-loan with Life Asset can cover upfront or unexpected costs. For example, a phone, a car purchase/repair, a bicycle, security systems for your vehicle.

Life Asset Training

Life Asset Loan Application

What to expect working with Amazon Flex?

Amazon flex offers “block scheduling “meaning that depending on what you’re delivering (groceries, prime packages, etc.) you can sign up for 45-min to 6 hour blocks. 3rd party outlines requirements, steps and shift expectations, pros and cons.
What to Expect When working with Amazon Flex

How do you file your taxes as a delivery driver?

You’ll be an independent contractor and receive a 1099. You’ll need to file estimated taxes on a quarterly basis because federal and state taxes will not be automatically taken from your income. If you’re driving a lot, you may be be eligible for tax deductions surrounding mileage, car repairs, maintenance and depreciation.

Amazon Flex Driver Taxes Article

How often to you get paid?

You can track your pay on the Earnings screen of the Amazon Flex app. Amazon Flex will process payments on Tuesday and Friday via direct deposit to the bank account provided during you sign up. If you deliver something that is eligible to receive tips, you will receive tips 1-2 days after delivery.
Amazon Flex “Let’s Drive” FAQ page, including payment information

Do I need insurance?

Yes, you’ll need your personal auto insurance. Amazon will provides delivery partners in all states other than NY with the Amazon Commercial Auto Insurance Policy at no cost which will only cover the registered driver and only during shifts

Can I rent a car?

Amazon does not offer car rentals, however, as an amazon customer you may be eligible for discount rentals from Avis. You can drive any car as long as your name is on the insurance.

What is Amazon Relay?

Amazon Relay if for freight trucks. If you have a freight truck and meet the safety requirements you would be eligible for Amazon Relay
Amazon Relay

Are there some helpful 3rd Party Resources about Amazon Flex?

4 Things to Understand About Amazon Flex Block Scheduling
What It’s Like To Be An Amazon Flex Delivery Driver
Video: What kind of insurance do I need?

How can I track Amazon Flex expenses?

The Hurdlr app helps track expenses so you can get the most our of your tax filing
Hurdlr app

How do I apply?

Fill out the Instacart application online and complete a background check.
Instacart Application

What do I need to start a delivery business?

Smart phone, Pass your background check 1-7 days

How much can I expect to make with Instacart?

$15-$20 per hour depending on your area and delivery time period.

How and Life Asset help me?

A micro-loan with Life Asset can cover upfront or unexpected costs. For example, a phone, a car purchase/repair, a bicycle, security systems for your vehicle.

Life Asset Training

Life Asset Loan Application

What delivery business is best for me?

Given your area and the demand for certain delivery services, one delivery service may be more favorable than another. In general, you should determine which delivery business works best for you by considering the amount of schedule flexibility you would like, the pay range that works best for you in your area, and the personal satisfaction you believe you would achieve from working in the service’s category versus others (Uber/transportation: communicational, Instacart/food shopping and delivery: independent, etc.).

What can I expect working with Instacart?

You can see available “batches” which shows you the number of items and you can select your store. Be aware of store that do not have good cell service. You’ll receive an Instacart prepaid card you’ll need to activate within the app which you’ll use to purchase the orders, you’ll need to take an extra training (15-20 minutes) to deliver alcohol, Pharmacy training also available so you can deliver medication.

How do you file your taxes as a delivery driver?

All taxpayers will need to file a Form 1040. This individual tax form summarizes all of the income you earned for the year, plus deductions and tax credits. This information is used to figure out how much you owe in taxes. Information from several other forms break down the types of income, deductions, and credits you want to claim. As an Instacart Shopper, you’ll likely want to be familiar with 1099, W-2, and Schedule C forms.
Instacart Shopper Tax Guide

How often do I get paid?

In-store and full-service shoppers are paid weekly via direct deposit to a checking or savings account. Full-service shoppers can use Instant Cashout, an immediate transfer to a debit card, to access their earnings more quickly.
Instacart Pay

Do I need insurance?

Yes, you need special insurance to drive for Instacart. Instacart does not provide any insurance coverage, and most personal auto insurance policies will reject claims for damage sustained while you were driving for a delivery or rideshare company. Insurance options include, but are not limited to, rideshare coverage and commercial auto insurance
Instacart Insurance

Can I rent a car?

Instacart does not provide car rentals, yet external services such as Carla offer discounted long-term car rental rates for delivery drivers.

Carla

Are there other helpful resources about Instacart?

Instacart App tutorial and Ride Along

How can I track Instacart expenses?

The Hurdlr app helps track expenses so you can get the most our of your tax filing
Hurdlr app