With the state of the job market, more and more of us are looking for part-time gigs where we can make money on our own time.
In fact, sources report that as of 2019, almost half of all American adults under the age of 35 had a side hustle to add to their main income.
One of the best tools you can have for a side hustle? Your own car.
It can be that simple to add to your income. Here are 10 ways that you can get paid to drive roadie jobs or similar gigs.
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What You Need to Get Paid to Drive
So what do you need to make money with your car? It depends on the job in question and your state’s requirements.
But in general, you will need:
- A four-door car made in the last 10 years (20 in some cases)
- A clean background and driving record
- A valid driver’s license in your state of residence
1. Bring People a Meal
By now, you have probably ordered food delivery from an independent delivery service.
Companies like DoorDash and UberEats have made it possible to get delivery of much more than just pizza and Chinese food.
Working for one of these companies is a great way to earn side income while making your own hours.
These delivery jobs take very little personal time or effort.
All you have to do is drive to a restaurant, pick up an order, and drop it off at the recipient’s house.
You get to keep your own tips, which can either come in the form of cash or through a direct deposit via the delivery app.
The companies have different requirements for their drivers.
But generally, it’s not difficult to get one of these jobs. You will need to be above 19 years old and have a clean driving record.
You will probably also be required to pass a background check.
Depending on the company, you might need to prove ownership of a four-door car that dates after a certain year.
If you already drive for Uber, signing up for Uber Eats is an amazingly simple process.
You don’t have to go through any extra background checks.
All you have to do is sign up, put in your information, and start accepting deliveries.
2. Deliver Groceries
Grocery delivery is quickly becoming a normal part of life for many of us. It’s also a great way to earn some income on the side.
Local shoppers put in orders on a website or app. Then grocery delivery drivers go to the store to pick up their items and drop them off.
You’ll earn a delivery fee as well as a tip.
There are a number of different companies you can work for as a grocery delivery driver.
The best one for you will probably depend on your area and how much you want to work.
Some solid choices include Shipt and UberEats.
Requirements for these companies vary. In general, you will have to have a clean driving record and be able to pass a background check.
Some grocery delivery services operate throughout the country, while others are only in specific cities.
Shipt has some more stringent requirements, including: owning a vehicle made after 1997, owning a newer phone, and being able to lift at least 45 pounds.
Many people find grocery delivery a useful side gig for bringing in extra income.
Since you can set your own hours and availability, it’s easy to do during your free time, including in the evening and on weekends.
3. Get Paid to Test Drive Cars
You’ve probably heard of working as a mystery shopper. But did you know that mystery shopper jobs also exist for things like cars?
Companies like BestMark let you act as a customer pretending to be interested in buying a car. Your job is to express interest and then go on a test drive.
Afterward, you’ll write up a report on your experience with the particular dealership and salesperson.
The fun part of this is getting to test drive a bunch of different cars. The less fun part is having to sit through a sales pitch. But ultimately it pays off, literally!
If you enjoy mystery shopping and driving different cars, this might be a perfect gig for you.
You won’t make enough for this to be a standalone job, but it’s a great way to earn a bit of extra cash without a ton of time or effort.
All you do is get paid to drive around.
You might also earn extra perks like free meals, gift cards, and other bonuses.
4. Advertise With Your Car
What about making passive income while doing nothing but driving as you normally do? All you have to do is put a sticker on your car.
Some companies will pay drivers for becoming mobile billboards for their services. All you have to do is let them put an advertisement on your car.
The only significant requirement is that you need to live in an area with a lot of traffic, preferably an urban or suburban area.
It’s as easy as that and requires almost zero effort on your part. This is one reason why it can be an appealing way to earn passive income while changing none of your daily habits.
Bear in mind that these gigs are prone to being overrun by scammers, so be sure that the company is legitimate before you sign up.
Trustworthy companies you can advertise for include Carvertise, Nickelytics, and Wrapify.
Some of these companies operate nationwide. Others are confined to certain cities or geographic regions.
They may also have other requirements for drivers such as a daily commute of 30 miles or more or driving a car from the last 10 years.
See Related: College Side Hustles for Students That Need Flexible Work
5. Deliver Amazon Packages
If you want to earn side income delivering packages, Amazon Flex may be a good fit for you. You can use your own vehicle to sign up.
When you join, you reserve a “block”, meaning a block of time. These vary day by day or week by week.
You can choose blocks when you want to work, setting your own hours.
During your reserved block, you will be available to pick up and deliver whatever packages are closest to you.
Depending on where you live, it can be difficult to get a block — or it may be a cinch.
It all depends on the number of Flex drivers in your region and how much they want to work.
Available blocks will be posted once a week and range from two to eight hours.
When packages are available for delivery in your block, you’ll pick them up and deliver them to the recipients.
It’s an easy way to earn money on your own time. Amazon Flex drivers can work up to seven hours a day.
See Related: 15 Top Jobs Like Amazon Flex
6. Give Others a Ride
By now, ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have become a normal part of life for many of us. But what is it like working for one of these companies?
The bottom line is that working as a driver can be a legitimate and lucrative side gig.
You will have to pass some strict requirements to ensure that your vehicle is safe for your passengers.
Uber age requirements vary from city to city. They also require you to have a minimum of one year of driving experience in the United States.
You will also need to have a four-door car that has passed your state’s safety inspection.
Before you get hired, you will need to pass a background check and driving record review.
Lyft has similar requirements with the additional option to rent a qualified car if yours doesn’t measure up.
What do you get paid to drive for Uber or a similar company?
It depends on a lot of different factors, including how much you drive, where you live, and standard fares in your area.
Driving during busy times will earn you more.
Bear in mind that the company claims about a third of your paycheck.
One upside is that you can withdraw funds to your bank account up to five times a day.
These companies are a great way to earn income on the side while choosing your own hours.
Many drivers work weekend or night shifts to supplement full-time jobs during the week.
If Uber or Lyft aren’t options for you, look into companies like Summon, Curb, or Gett.
See Related: Proven, Easy Ways to Get Free Money Now
7. Carpool
Believe it or not, some companies will actually pay you to carpool with friends and neighbors.
Companies like Hytch and Ride Joy are all about reducing carbon emissions and encouraging people to live more sustainably.
To make money through these platforms, you’ll download an app to prove that you carpool with others on a daily basis.
Every time you do, you’ll earn a cash reward.
These side hustles won’t earn you anything astronomical in terms of income. But you can earn a nice amount just by sharing a ride with others.
Most of these apps are exclusive to large metropolitan areas such as New York City and Washington D.C. But you may also find ones that operate based on mileage.
8. Help People Move
Living in a metropolitan area opens you up to various opportunities to make money driving.
This is especially true if you live in a city where owning a car isn’t a given, like New York City.
Here, it’s not uncommon to find people looking for help moving to a new home and needing to hire someone with a car.
There are plenty of ways to offer your services. Many people have success in posting an ad on Craigslist.
Bear in mind that you will probably need to have a larger car, like a van or a truck, since you will probably be moving boxes. But the nice thing about a gig like this?
There are far fewer requirements than most driving jobs.
In general, all you need is a roomy car.
If you are physically able, you might be able to make even more money by helping people load their belongings into their new home.
But that doesn’t have to be part of the job. You’re welcome to simply show up and drive.
In addition to Craigslist, you might find success on platforms like Dolly or GoShare.
These sites have more stringent requirements for their drivers, so not everyone will qualify.
See Related: 12 Best Delivery Apps and Jobs – What is Best to Work For?
9. Shuttle Senior Citizens
If you have a trustworthy car and love meeting new people, you might enjoy shuttling senior citizens.
Many elderly people use services to help them get to doctor appointments, hair salons, and to run errands.
Sometimes, care facilities even have these transport services on call for shuttle services.
One service you can sign up for is Elder Care. These jobs range in duties, pay, and area.
Or if you prefer, you can find a niche through driving for Uber or Lyft.
Uber Health, a branch of Uber, is often contracted by staff at senior centers.
If you drive for Uber Health, you will probably have a regular weekly appointment with a local care facility to shuttle residents to grocery stores or local shopping centers.
These jobs are great for both drivers and passengers.
They help senior citizens maintain autonomy over their personal errands and purchases even if they are no longer able to drive themselves.
Meanwhile, they are a great way for drivers to earn money while giving back to the community and meeting interesting people.
See Related: 32 Best Passive Income Ideas
10. Transport Kids
If you have experience in childcare, look into whether you can transport kids. The most well-known transport service is HopSkipDrive.
It currently only operates in California and Colorado.
However, you may be able to find a local service in your area, too.
Most of these services have strict requirements for all their drivers.
HopSkipDrive requires you to be at least 23 years old and have five years of childcare under your belt.
You also need to drive a four-door car that is 2008 or newer. Before being hired, you’ll be fingerprinted, interviewed, and pass a background check.
Transport services like these involve driving kids to and from school and extracurricular activities. One big perk is that these jobs generally pay well.
HopSkipDrive drivers earn as much as $30 an hour. Much of this depends on your area, how much you drive, and the pay rate of the services that hire you.
Another upside of the stringent requirements?
There is probably less competition for jobs like these.
But if you meet all the requirements, transporting kids can be a rewarding and lucrative way to earn money while driving.
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