Being a delivery driver can be stressful. You never know exactly how long your shift will last or how far you’ll need to drive. But that’s also what makes driving for Doordash so great!
As a driver, you get to choose which shifts you work and how much money you make. Once you sign up, they send you the exact address of your first customer and from there, it’s easy. You click “start trip” on the app and follow their directions. After your drop-off, you get paid for gas expenses as well as a base rate for food and any tips the customer leaves you.
If only all jobs made it so easy to get paid for gas…but do they? Does DoorDash pay drivers for gas? Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about this ride share company and whether or not they pay drivers for gas.
Does DoorDash Pay for Gas
DoorDash is a delivery service that delivers food from restaurants to the customer’s door. They do not pay for gas. The driver is responsible for their own gas. Because, DoorDash drivers are independent contractors, and as such, are responsible for their own expenses.
The doordash driver pays for gas. If the doordash driver has a car, it means they have a fuel card to pay for gas at the pump. If not, they have to use a credit card or debit card to cover all their expenses.
A lot of people assume that the doordash driver pays all the expenses related to renting a car and operating it. While this is true in a sense, it isn’t all-inclusive. The doordash driver will also pay for insurance, maintenance and repairs, gas, as well as any tolls if they are driving on highways.
The doordash driver needs to keep track of all of these expenses because they will be deducted from their earnings.
Gas can be expensive in some areas, so it is important to make sure you know how much you’ll need before you sign up with doordash because it can be an expense that could put a damper on your earnings.
Why You Don’t Get Paid for Gas
DoorDash doesn’t pay you for your gas because it’s considered an “expense”. Gas expenses are something that every business has to pay for but doesn’t necessarily have to pass on to the consumer. Since they’re not paying you your gas costs up front, it’s up to you to pay for gas out of your own pocket.
But don’t worry; they’ll deduct this amount from your paycheck. If you come to the end of your shift and realize you didn’t fill up, don’t sweat it. You’ll get paid for the gas you used to get to all your passengers. Some companies will pay for gas upfront so you don’t have to worry about driving around with a full tank. Keep in mind, this is a lot for a company to do. It’s not unheard of for a business to go out of business, leaving you without a paycheck. With DoorDash, you don’t have to worry about that. They don’t pay for your gas upfront; they deduct it from your pay check each week and pay for it at the end of the month.
Is Dashing Still Worth it With High Gas Prices?
Driving for Doordash or any other delivery service is a great way to make extra money. It can be as frequent or as infrequent as you like and has no set schedule.
As a Dasher, you can make anywhere from $5 to $25 an hour, depending on the length of your trip and the rate of your passengers.
As a driver, you can make anywhere from $19 to $25 an hour. The take-home pay for both positions is based on a percentage of your earnings. The more you work, the more you’ll make. But it’s important to note that gas is usually your biggest expense. If you’re driving long distances, you can easily end up spending $100 on gas for just one shift. So, it’s important to figure out how much you’ll make after deducting your expenses.
Should You Join?
DoorDash is a great way to make some extra cash. While it’s not the best paying delivery service out there, it is one of the easiest. You don’t have to deal with customers, keep track of inventory, or make sure your food is fresh. You just pick up their order and bring it to their door. It’s as easy as it sounds. This is a great way to make some extra money if you’re a student or need to support yourself while you’re in college. It’s also good if you’re retired or just want to make some extra cash while staying at home.
Can You Use Your DoorDash Red Card For Gas?
If you have a DoorDash Red Card, you might be wondering if it can be used to fill up at the pump. Unfortunately, it’s not meant to be used for anything but food. This is a common misconception because most debit cards look the same as credit cards. If customers try to use the DoorDash Red Card at the pump and are denied, they may think it is a mistake. But it’s not. The DoorDash Red Card is for food only.
How to Take Tax Deductions on Gas as a Dasher
As silly as it sounds, you can actually get a tax deduction for the amount you spend on gas as a Dasher! You’ll need to keep track of how far you drive and how much gas you use. You’ll also want to keep receipts for any repairs you make to your car while driving. This can be done several ways. You can keep a paper journal and make entries when you fill up or you can use an app on your phone. Keep track of how many miles you drive, where you go, and how much gas you spend. If you use an app, make sure you keep a printed copy of your journal so you can submit it at the end of the year.
Tips for DoorDash Drivers to Save on Gas
Make sure your car is in good condition. This means keeping up on oil changes and having your car maintained.
Invest in a good car charger. This will help you charge your phone while on the road without using extra fuel.
Make sure you use Waze or Google Maps. These apps will route you around traffic and help you get there quicker.
Take advantage of the DoorDash carpooling program. If there are any drivers in your area who are taking the same route as you, see if you can carpool with them.
Conclusion
Driving for DoorDash is a great way to make some extra cash while helping out local businesses save on overhead costs by not having to hire delivery drivers. It’s a great way to stay busy while still being able to take care of your family. It’s also a great way to make extra money while you’re in school or retired.
