How to Drive for Postmates

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Driving for Postmates can be an easy and quick way to get into the rideshare business. Postmates drivers are in charge of making their own schedules, giving you the option to drive as a side gig or make driving for Postmates your full-time career. Whichever option you choose, you first need to establish your eligibility as a Postmates driver and set up your Postmates account. Once you are registered as a driver, you can begin accepting customer orders, driving deliveries, and making money as a Postmates driver!

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Establishing Your Eligibility

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  1. Go to the Postmates website and click on “Our Locations.” Enter your address or scroll through the list of locations to see if Postmates is available in your area. While Postmates delivers in hundreds of cities internationally, it is still not available everywhere, so you first want to determine if driving for Postmates is an option for you.
  2. While the requirements vary from one city to another, in general, to drive for Postmates, you must be 18 or older, pass a background check, and have a smartphone. If you plan on making deliveries with a vehicle, you will also need to have a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance. If you plan to make deliveries without a vehicle, you need a driver’s license or state ID, as well as access to a bicycle, scooter, or other non-motorized mode of transportation. [1]
    • Unlike other rideshare services, Postmates does not require a vehicle inspection. Any vehicle that is insured and will get you to your destination on time will qualify. [2]
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  3. While you may be interested in driving for Postmates for the flexibility it offers, learning more about what the job entails can help you decide if Postmates is right for you. Postmates drivers are independent contractors who use their own mode of transportation to pick up orders from local establishments, including restaurants, grocery stores, and other retail shops, and deliver them to individuals or businesses.
    • As independent contractors, Postmates drivers are responsible for their own taxes. [3]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

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  1. Visit the Postmates website and scroll down to the bottom of the homepage. Click “Join the Fleet” and create a Postmates driver account using your email and by creating a password. Once your account is created, Postmates will ask you to review the Postmates Fleet Agreement. [4] Click “Consent” to continue to the registration.
  2. After consenting to the Postmates Fleet Agreement, the website will direct you through the registration process. Begin by providing your name, phone number, address, how you plan to deliver (via vehicle, bicycle, scooter, or walking), and your driver’s license or state ID number, clicking “Submit” after each. You’ll then need to authorize Postmates to run a background check by entering your date of birth and your Social Security. [5] Finally, provide your bank account number and routing number so that you can receive direct deposits for your work. [6]
  3. After consenting to the background check, Postmates requires that you take a selfie for your driver profile. You can do this by taking a new selfie using your computer or smartphone camera, or by uploading an existing selfie by clicking “Choose Photo.” [7] Once your photo is uploaded, click “Submit.”
    • Ideally, your selfie photo should be taken from the shoulders up. For a more professional photo, pose in front of a clean, solid color background. [8]
  4. Once you have submitted the selfie for your profile, Postmates will mail your Welcome Kit to the address you provided during registration. [9] The Welcome Kit includes information about driving for Postmates, as well as the prepaid debit card.
    • Postmates does not provide estimates for how long it will take for you to receive your Welcome Kit. In general, though, Postmates drivers receive their Welcome Kits within one week after the background check is approved. [10]
  5. Once you receive your Welcome Kit, visit fleet.postmates.com/card and follow the instructions to activate your prepaid debit card. In some cases, Postmates customers will not be required to pay for their order until it is received. In these cases, you will use your prepaid debit card to pay for the order when you pick it up. [11]
    • Once you activate your prepaid debit card, Postmates will run a background check. When your background check is approved (generally within 3 to 5 business days), you will receive an email with a link to a webpage, where you will be asked to enter your phone number. Postmates will then text you a link to download the Postmates Fleet app. [12]
  6. Click the link in your text message from Postmates to download the Postmates Fleet app on your smartphone. You can also download the app by visiting your smartphone app store. In the app store, search “Postmates Fleet app” and click “Get” or “Install” to download.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Making Deliveries for Postmates

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  1. To begin, open the Postmates Fleet smartphone app and log in to your account. When delivery requests are available, there will be an alert at the bottom of your screen. [13] Click on the alert to see how many deliveries are requested, as well as the merchant(s) name(s) and location(s). Tap “Accept” to accept the delivery offer.
  2. Once you accept an order in the app, Postmates will provide suggested directions to the pickup location. Follow the directions or use your own navigation to get to the merchant’s location. When you arrive, open the Postmates app and follow any pickup instructions. Postmates reads your GPS signal and will update this information as soon as you arrive at the correct location.
  3. When you arrive at the pickup location, check the Postmates Fleet app to see if the order has been preordered by Postmates or not. Postmates will also update the app to let you know whether the order has been prepaid. If the order has not been prepaid, use your Postmates prepaid debit card to complete the purchase once you have all the requested items in hand. [14] Whether the order was prepaid or paid by you with the prepaid debit card, once the order is fulfilled, use the app to upload a clear photo of the receipt and manually enter the total order amount.
    • If the order has been preordered, a “Shopping List” tab will appear in the app. Click this tab and pick up all the items on the Shopping List.
    • If an order has not been preordered by Postmates, an “Order Details” tab will appear in the app. Order or select all the items on the list.
    • If an item ordered by a customer is no longer available, contact the customer by tapping the “Support” button on the delivery screen in the app. You will then be given the option to either call or message the customer to see if they want to cancel the item or select a replacement. [15]
  4. After you have picked up the order, tap “Start Drop-off” in the app. Postmates will then provide you with the delivery location, as well as any drop-off instructions. Follow the directions to get to the delivery location and contact the customer when you arrive. Once you have handed-off the order to the customer, open the app and tap the “Delivery Unconfirmed” tab, then select “Delivered to Customer.” Postmates will then update the app to show the total you’ve earned for the delivery.
    • Depending on the drop-off instructions provided in the app, you may be asked to call the customer when you arrive, use a call box, or simply knock on the customer’s door. [16]
  5. Postmates pays drivers for each individual transaction via direct deposit four days after the transaction is completed. [17] The total payment for each transaction includes the delivery fee, mileage driven, waiting time, and tips, minus a $.15 direct deposit fee applied to each transaction.
    • If your direct deposit payment does not come through 4 days after the transaction is completed, you can contact Postmates by tapping “Support” in the Postmates Fleet app.
    • Delivery fees, mileage, and wait times are determined by Postmates. These amounts vary depending on the merchant, time of day, and location, as well as data collected from your Postmates Fleet app.
    • While it varies, Postmates drivers that accept all available delivery offers during an hour of driving make an average of $10 to $18 per hour. [18]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.ridester.com/become-postmates-driver/
      2. ↑ https://www.ridester.com/postmates-requirements-become-postmates-driver/
      3. ↑ https://www.ridester.com/postmates-requirements-become-postmates-driver/
      4. ↑ https://fleet.postmates.com/signup/user_info
      5. ↑ https://support.postmates.com/fleet/articles/219622448-article-Becoming-a-Postmate
      6. ↑ https://support.postmates.com/fleet/articles/219622448-article-Becoming-a-Postmate
      7. ↑ https://fleet.postmates.com/signup/selfie
      8. ↑ https://www.ridester.com/become-postmates-driver/
      9. ↑ https://moneypantry.com/postmates-review/
      1. ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/postmates/comments/7tb371/noob_question_how_long_does_it_take_to_receive/
      2. ↑ https://www.ridester.com/best-food-delivery-apps-drivers/#2
      3. ↑ https://www.ridester.com/become-postmates-driver/
      4. ↑ https://support.postmates.com/fleet/articles/220058207-article-Accepting-and-completing-deliveries
      5. ↑ https://support.postmates.com/fleet/articles/220058207-article-Accepting-and-completing-deliveries
      6. ↑ https://support.postmates.com/fleet/articles/220058207-article-Accepting-and-completing-deliveries
      7. ↑ https://support.postmates.com/fleet/articles/220058207-article-Accepting-and-completing-deliveries
      8. ↑ https://www.fastcasual.com/blogs/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-most-popular-food-delivery-apps/
      9. ↑ https://www.ridester.com/postmates-requirements-become-postmates-driver/

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