How to Drive for Grubhub

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 4, 2021 References

If you are interested in the flexibility of rideshare work, driving for Grubhub can be a great way to make money while managing your own schedule. Grubhub is one of the most established rideshare food delivery apps with thousands of restaurant partners and even more customers. If Grubhub is hiring in your area, you can begin by completing an application, downloading the app, and getting all your Grubhub delivery gear. Accept delivery orders on the Grubhub app to start driving for Grubhub and making money!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Applying to Be a Grubhub Driver

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Determine if Grubhub is available in your area. Go to the Grubhub website and enter your address to check if Grubhub is available in your area. While Grubhub delivers in over 1,100 cities in the United States, it is still not available everywhere, so you first want to determine if driving for Grubhub is an option for you.^{[1]
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- To see if Grubhub is available in your area, visit: https://www.grubhub.com/delivery/cities.
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Meet the minimum requirements. While the requirements vary from one city to another, in general, to drive for Grubhub, you must be 19 or older and pass a background check. You must also have at least 2 years of driving experience, a smartphone, a valid driver’s license, insurance for your mode of transportation (except for non-motorized bicycles), and a checking account for direct deposits.
- In Chicago, you must be 21 or older to drive for Grubhub.^{[2]
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- If you plan to deliver by walking or via non-motorized bicycle, you need to have a valid state ID. You do not need a driver’s license.^{[3]
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Decide if working as an independent contractor is right for you. While you may be interested in driving for Grubhub for the flexibility it offers, learning more about what the job entails can help you decide if Grubhub is right for you. Grubhub drivers are independent contractors who use their own mode of transportation to pick up orders from local restaurants and deliver them to individuals or businesses.
- As independent contractors, Grubhub drivers do not qualify for company benefits and are responsible for any extra expenses they incur while making delivers, such as gas, parking, and car maintenance.^{[4]
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- Grubhub drivers are responsible for their own taxes.^{[5]
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- Grubhub drivers are able to determine which orders they want to pick up and deliver. For example, drivers can decline orders from restaurants that are inconveniently located, or that offer paid parking only.^{[6]
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Fill out the initial form. To access the application and download the app, complete the initial form on Grubhub’s website with your name, email address, phone number, and city. The form will then ask you to select your intended mode of transportation for your deliveries, including car, scooter, motorcycle, or bike. Once you have filled in the form, click “Submit” to move on to the rest of the application.
- Note that not all vehicle types are eligible for delivery use in all cities, so if your intended mode of transportation is not available on the drop-down list on the form, you will need to find an alternative before going forward.^{[7]
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Complete the online application. After you have submitted the initial form, the website will instantly direct you to the rest of the application. First, Grubhub asks you to select the area you would like to drive in from a drop-down list of options. Select your preferred area by tapping on the name and clicking “Next.” Grubhub will then ask you to select your second and third choice areas. You will then be directed to a questionnaire, where you will verify your address, type of smartphone, and your general availability for making deliveries. Click “Submit” after you have filled out all of the requested information.
- Depending on your city, the application may also contain a few brief additional questions. For example, some applicants are asked if they are comfortable communicating directly with restaurants and costumers, and/or why they want to deliver for Grubhub.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Setting Up Your Grubhub Driver Account

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Go through Grubhub’s online on-boarding process. If your application is accepted, Grubhub will direct you to its on-boarding webpage. To complete the on-boarding process, Grubhub requires that you submit an image of your driver’s license or state ID, select what equipment you need, set up your direct deposit with your bank account number and routing number, authorize Grubhub to run a background check, verify your vehicle (if applicable), and fill out the Grubhub Partnership Agreement and W-9 form.
- Grubhub requires that all drivers use an insulated bag to transport orders. During the on-boarding process, select whether you have your own insulated bag or whether you need to loan a bag from Grubhub. If you need to loan a bag, Grubhub will mail you your insulated bag 3 to 5 days after you complete the on-boarding process, or you can schedule to pick it up from a local Grubhub office.
- Verify your vehicle by attaching a photo or scan of your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.^{[8]
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- To consent for Grubhub to run a background check, enter your Social Security number. The background check typically takes 1 to 3 business days.
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Attend online info sessions to learn how to drive deliveries. Once your background check is complete, you will receive an email inviting you to attend online information sessions. To access these sessions, click the link in the email. Grubhub will guide you through the process of driving deliveries, allow you to ask questions, and provide more information about Grubhub in your city.^{[9]
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- The online information sessions also provide tips on best practices for making deliveries.
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Download the Grubhub driver’s app. Once you have completed the online info sessions, you will receive an email with a link to download the Grubhub driver’s app. Using your smartphone, click “Download” in the email. The app will then download on your smartphone.
- You can also download the app through your smartphone’s app store. To do this, search “Grubhub for drivers” in the app store and click “Get” or “Install” to download.
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Set up your account in the Grubhub driver’s app. Using your smartphone, open the downloaded Grubhub driver’s app and login using your email and by creating a password. Once you are signed in, the app will ask to access your location. Click “allow” to enable location services. Grubhub then uses your location to create your delivery zone.
- Your delivery zone is a map area, designated by a border on the map in your driver’s app, within which you are eligible to make deliveries for Grubhub.
- The size of delivery zones varies for different cities and different drivers. Grubhub does not provide information on how big your delivery zone will be until you have shared your location in the smartphone app.
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Pick up or receive your Grubhub gear in the mail. Pick up your insulated bag from a Grubhub office at the time you scheduled during the on-boarding process. If you did not schedule a pick up time and location, you will receive your Grubhub insulated bag (free of charge) in the mail within 3 to 5 business days.
- You will not be able to make Grubhub delivers until you have your insulated bag in hand.
- While it is not required, you can also choose to pick up a Grubhub sticker for your vehicle, or have one delivered.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Making Your First Deliveries for Grubhub

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Start accepting orders in the Grubhub driver’s app. To begin accepting orders, click “Available” in the driver’s app to let Grubhub know that you are ready to start driving deliveries. There are two ways that you can start driving deliveries once you are available in the app:
- After clicking available, you will start receiving offers for orders as they become available. You can choose to accept or reject offers at any time by tapping “Accept offer” or “Reject offer” in the app.
- If you want to create a more concrete work schedule, you can schedule delivery blocks ahead of time.^{[10]
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  Research source} To do this, open the app and click on “Scheduling.” The app will then display all the available delivery block times for the next week. Select a block by tapping it in the app.
- While you do not have to schedule delivery blocks to drive deliveries, Grubhub gives scheduled drivers priority over deliveries during that block.
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Make your first delivery for Grubhub. Once you accept an order in the driver’s app, Grubhub will send you directions to the restaurant to pick up the order. Restaurants may include pick-up instructions as well, so make sure you look out for these and read carefully. Follow the directions to get to the restaurant and pick up the order. Place the food in your insulated bag. Follow the directions provided in the app to deliver to the delivery address.
- You can contact the person(s) who placed the order through the app if you have any questions.^{[11]
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Get paid for driving deliveries. Grubhub provides payments for its drivers every Thursday through direct deposit. While payment varies from city to city, as its baseline, Grubhub uses the following formula to calculate your income: per order rate + $.50 per mile from the restaurant to the customer + 100% of your tips.^{[12]
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Research source} The per order rate varies based on the market, but in general, cities with a higher cost of living tend to have a higher per order rate.
- While it varies, Grubhub drivers make an average of $11 to $12 per hour.^{[13]
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