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Essential Gear for Delivery Drivers
- Insulated Food Delivery Bag - Keep orders hot/cold for better ratings and tips
- Dashboard Phone Mount - Hands-free navigation for safe deliveries
- 36W Fast Car Charger - Keep your phone charged during long shifts
- 20000mAh Portable Power Bank - Backup power for extended delivery blocks
Order Selection Tips
1. Never Accept Orders Under $6
Low-pay orders waste your time and gas. A $3 order takes the same time as a $10 order. Set a minimum and stick to it.
2. Use the $2/Mile Rule
Calculate pay per mile before accepting. Anything under $1.50/mile is usually not worth it. $2+/mile is ideal.
3. Watch for Hidden Tips
DoorDash hides tips over $4. An order showing $6.50 might actually pay $12+ after delivery. Higher item counts often mean bigger hidden tips.
4. Avoid No-Tip Orders
If an order shows base pay only ($2-4), there's no tip. These customers rarely tip after delivery. Your time is worth more.
Timing & Location Tips
5. Work Peak Hours Only (At First)
As a beginner, focus on busy times when orders are plentiful:
- Lunch: 11am - 1:30pm
- Dinner: 5pm - 9pm
- Best days: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
6. Park Near Restaurant Clusters
Find areas with multiple restaurants close together. You'll get orders faster and spend less time driving to pickups.
7. Learn 2-3 Restaurants Really Well
Know their layouts, parking, and typical wait times. This lets you estimate actual earnings better and avoid slow restaurants.
Efficiency Tips
8. Use a Hot Bag
Hot food = better ratings = more orders. DoorDash provides one, but buy a better insulated bag for $15-20.
9. Decline Without Guilt
Your acceptance rate doesn't matter much. Top Dashers need 70%, but the perks aren't worth taking bad orders. Focus on $/hour, not acceptance rate.
10. Text Customers Proactively
"On my way with your order!" and "Delivered to your door!" messages improve ratings and sometimes increase tips.
11. Take Photos of Every Delivery
Protect yourself from "never received" claims. Photo evidence saves you from deactivation.
Mistakes to Avoid
12. Don't Chase Peak Pay
Peak pay zones are often oversaturated with drivers. Sometimes non-peak areas pay better.
13. Don't Accept Stacked Orders Blindly
One order might have a great tip, the other $0. Learn to identify which is which.
14. Don't Wait More Than 10 Minutes
If food isn't ready after 10 min, unassign and move on. Your time is money.
15. Don't Ignore Vehicle Costs
Track gas, maintenance, and depreciation. Your real earnings are gross pay minus expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a beginner make on DoorDash?
Beginners typically earn $15-20/hour in their first week. With these tips, you can reach $20-25/hour within your first month.
What is the best time to DoorDash as a beginner?
Lunch (11am-1pm) and dinner (5pm-9pm) rushes, especially Friday-Sunday. Start during peak times when orders are plentiful.