If your day job isn’t bringing in enough money, you might be considering a side hustle. While some can be done at home, driving delivery can make more money than many others. However, it is important that you know what to expect when you’re a delivery driver. Otherwise, you might end up losing money. Here are four things to keep in mind.
You’re An Independent Contractor
When you deliver food for an app, you are not an employee of that app. Instead, they hire you as an independent contractor. This means that you are self-employed. This can have a few benefits. You set your own schedule. So if a shift isn’t working out, you can go home without repercussions. However, not being an employee means you don’t get the protections provided to an employee. This includes overtime pay. In California, employers must pay overtime for anyone who’s worked more than eight hours a day or forty days a week. As an independent contractor, your payment will remain the same no matter how much you work.
You’ll Likely Need a Background Check
While this isn’t universal, most delivery jobs will require you to submit to a background check. After all, you’ll be in contact with the staff at restaurants as well as customers at their homes. If you’ve got a felony or certain convictions in your past, it could prevent you from working for the app. 96% of employers perform a background check prior to hiring. This prevents them from hiring someone who could pose a danger to other employees or clients. So, if you want a side hustle as a delivery driver, expect a background check.
You Need to Consider Taxes
As an independent contractor, you take home your entire paycheck. While this might seem great, it can get complicated when you realize this means that you have to put some money aside for your taxes. If you don’t, you’ll end up owing money you might not have when tax season arrives. If you’re unsure about what to do, don’t try to ignore it or wing it. Instead, look for tax help from the company you’re delivering for. Or talk to an accountant. But make sure you don’t forget about your taxes. Otherwise, you could end up losing a lot of money or getting into legal trouble.
You Need to Drive Safely
No matter what you are doing on the road, you need to drive safely. This means making sure that your car is in a safe condition and that you are capable of following the rules of the road. As a delivery driver, you are on the road nearly the entire time you are working. So make sure that your car is in good shape. Trucks going 65 miles per hour need the space of two football fields in order to stop. While your car won’t need that much space, it will need some. So make sure that you pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t speed in order to get deliveries done on time. And once you’re too tired to keep working, go home. Otherwise, you could end up injured or killed on your side hustle.
Delivery driving can be a great way to earn extra money. Whether you’re trying to make ends meet or you’re saving up for something special, driving for delivery services is easy and convenient. However, it is work, and making mistakes can have consequences on your life outside of your side hustle. Take these tips into consideration as you look at delivery driving. They will help you make good decisions both when you apply and once you start driving.
