Uber encourages their drivers to not only to drive passengers, but to also deliver food to help better supplement their income. While there are perks to both, it can be easier and less stressful to make food deliveries than driving around actual people, and it’s incredibly easy to make the switch.
To assist in a seamless and easy switch, Uber does not require different apps for their passenger and food delivery drivers, making the process quite simple!
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How Do I Switch To Uber Eats From Being An Uber Driver?
If Uber Eats is available in the city you are already driving in, switching from a passenger driver to a food delivery driver is incredibly simple. Just opt-in to receive delivery requests through the same app you’ve been using to accept trip requests!
Can I Sign Up For Uber Eats Online?
If you would prefer to complete the switch online, you can go to Uber’s website and opt into Uber Eats delivery requests there. Just go to Uber Help and follow the prompts to “Start Delivering,” just below where it says, “Click the link below to start receiving delivery requests.”
How Do I Switch Over to Uber Eats Using the App?
Yes! This is probably the simplest way to make the switch since you already have the app installed for driving passengers for Uber, and Uber Eats drivers use the same app that is used for receiving passenger requests!
You can begin to receive delivery requests by following these simple steps:
- Open your Uber Driver App and find the “Menu” button.
- Then select the “Account.” option
- Select the “Work Hub”
- Next, click on “Deliver food with Uber Eats.”
After you have reviewed and accepted the delivery terms, you will be ready to start making deliveries! And just like driving for Uber, you are able to turn on and off delivery requests as you so wish.
How Is Uber Eats Different From Being an Uber Driver?
Unlike being a driver for Uber, as an Uber Eats delivery person, you have several different options for the type of “vehicle” you wish to make deliveries with. The best type of vehicle may change depending on your location and the layout of your city, parking demands, and other logistical considerations.
For example, in an area where everything is very close together, and you don’t need to travel long distances, a bicycle would be more than sufficient to carry out your deliveries. If you are in a bigger city, using a car may be the better option.
The Pros
There are more options for you as a driver for food deliveries than there are for driving passengers.
- You can make deliveries for Uber Eats if you are as young as 18 years old (if you decide to make deliveries by bicycle or on foot) or 19 years old if you use a motorized scooter.
- You don’t have to make small-talk while driving anymore, nor worry about a bad review for your driving (though you should always drive safely and follow the laws of the road).
- You can listen to whatever music you’d like, at the volume level you prefer!
- You don’t have to worry about any personality clashes or unpleasant feelings from your passengers.
The Cons
There aren’t many downsides to becoming a delivery driver for Uber Eats instead of being a driver for Uber.
Really the only negative aspect would be your car accruing the smells of the food you deliver over time. This can easily be solved with consistent cleaning and/or car air fresheners to balance any unwanted smells.
How Often Do I Have To Make Deliveries?
Just like driving for Uber and receiving passenger requests, your schedule for making Uber Eats deliveries is completely up to you! There are no required amounts of deliveries you need to achieve to remain a delivery driver. With Uber Eats, you get to manage your hours and get paid to deliver when you choose.
Learning The Basics of Uber Eats
Here are some delivery basics to help you become more acquainted with your new role as a delivery driver.
Logging In – When you are ready to start making deliveries for Uber Eats, you can go online in the Driver App (the same app you used to drive passengers for Uber). There, the app will display food delivery requests near you. Then, just tap to accept.
Delivering Orders – The app will provide suggested navigation and helpful information from restaurants and your customers to help your deliveries run as smoothly as possible. If you ever need more assistance, you can always contact Support in the app. Unfortunately Uber Eats does not pay for your gas.
Earning Money – You will get paid for every pickup and dropoff that you complete. You will also receive a “per-mile” rate. And while it is not always guaranteed, Uber Eats customers are also known to tip.
You won’t get paid if the customer chooses to pick up the order.
Having Trouble Actually Receiving Orders?
If you’ve signed up to make deliveries for Uber Eats but haven’t received any orders yet, what should you do? If you only signed up a few minutes ago, give the app some time to register you as a driver and funnel orders your way. But if you’ve been waiting a few hours or more, here are some steps that you can take:
- Begin by opening your Uber Driver App
- Locate the menu icon on the bottom right of the home screen and open the “Trip Planner.”
- Select the preferences icon on the bottom right of the screen
- Be sure it says “ON” under “Deliveries.” If it reads “OFF” instead, select on “Deliveries” to turn on these requests
- Be sure you select “Save” before you leave the page.
Need Some Extra Help?
If for whatever reason, you need some extra help as you make the switch from an Uber Driver to a Uber Eats Delivery Driver, Uber’s customer support is always there to help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can call their phone support number at 1-800-253-9377 any time and get someone on the line to help answer any questions you may have to direct you in the right direction moving forward.
If you’re not one for making phone calls, you can also get guidance off of Uber’s website, Uber Help, or directly in the Driver App. You may also find the answers to your questions in the “Frequently Asked Questions” section on the Uber website.
Can I Still Drive For Uber?
If you make the switch to Uber Eats but decide you still want to drive passengers, or even go back to JUST driving passengers, you can absolutely make that happen!
Since both Uber Eats and Uber use the same Driver App, all you have to do is specify which type of trips you would like to make. And, if you choose, you can even do both at the same time (and truly maximize your profits!).
Switching From Uber to Uber Eats
Whether you have decided to stop driving passengers altogether or simply want to add in another way to make some extra money, becoming a delivery driver for Uber Eats is incredibly simple after already becoming a passenger driver for Uber. You can make the switch seamlessly online or directly through the Driver App. If you need any extra guidance along the way, Uber’s customer support is always available to offer their help to get you back on the road and make deliveries.