We’ve curated a list of the finest driving apps that allow you to monetize your car. It’s as simple as downloading the app, signing up, hitting the road, and watching the earnings roll in!
For most American households, owning at least one car is a necessity. However, it often comes with significant expenses such as monthly car payments, insurance premiums, fuel costs, and maintenance bills. What if you could transform your car from an expense into a revenue-generating asset?
Thanks to the rise of smartphone apps and the flourishing gig economy, there are now numerous ways to make money with your car, whether it’s by providing rides to travelers, delivering fast food orders, or even transforming your vehicle into a mobile advertising billboard. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various strategies to help you turn your car into a money-making machine and alleviate the financial burden of car ownership.
The Top Driving Apps for Earning Money
The easiest way to start making money with your car is by registering with a driving app. While the specific requirements may vary, most apps typically request a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. However, it’s worth noting that some rideshare apps, such as Uber and Lyft, also impose restrictions based on your vehicle’s age. Additionally, many driving app services may require you to hold a driver’s license for at least one to three years before you can qualify.
Here are our preferred driving apps that can help you boost your income:
1. Uber and Lyft
Rideshare platforms like Uber and Lyft are among the most popular ways to earn money by driving. The demand for rideshare services remains consistently high, making it a viable source of supplementary income or even a primary livelihood for some drivers.
With Uber and Lyft, you have the flexibility to choose your working hours, and you can receive your earnings promptly. Uber offers an “Instant Pay” feature, allowing drivers to cash out up to five times a day. Lyft also provides fast payment options through “Express Pay” or a Lyft Direct debit card. The amount you earn depends on various factors such as your location, the time you spend driving, and the distance of your fares, but the average hourly earnings typically range between $17 and $29. In addition to the income generated from the app, drivers can also receive tips from their passengers, further enhancing their earnings potential.
2. Doordash, UberEats, and GrubHub
If the idea of having strangers in your car doesn’t appeal to you, don’t worry; there are alternative options. Food delivery apps like DoorDash, UberEats, and GrubHub enable you to pick up food orders from local restaurants and deliver them to customers’ homes. It’s akin to being a pizza delivery driver, but with the added benefit of setting your own working hours and not being tied to a specific pizza joint.
Similar to rideshare drivers, food delivery drivers are responsible for covering their gas expenses and vehicle maintenance costs. However, it’s essential to note that some of these driving-related expenses may qualify as business deductions when tax season arrives. While earnings for food delivery drivers are slightly lower compared to rideshare drivers, they typically range from $18 to $27 per hour.
3. Instacart
The surge in demand for grocery delivery services during the pandemic has propelled apps like Instacart to exponential growth. These platforms rely on independent contractors to select groceries from store shelves and deliver them to customers’ homes. While you can choose to work exclusively as a shopper, you’ll have greater flexibility if you also take on the role of a delivery driver, referred to as a “full-service shopper.” The beauty of this arrangement is that you get to keep all the tips you receive, and you can cash out your earnings in as little as two hours after completing five batches. Shoppers who also handle deliveries typically earn an average of $24 per hour.
4. Amazon Flex
Amazon, a behemoth in the e-commerce industry, utilizes a fleet of vehicles to deliver packages to customers. However, what many people don’t realize is that Amazon also relies on independent contractors to bolster its delivery network through a program called Amazon Flex. As an Amazon Flex driver, you can earn between $18 and $25 per hour, making it a lucrative opportunity for those seeking flexible income streams. Amazon is actively expanding its recruitment efforts in numerous cities, and even if your city isn’t currently listed, you can create an account to receive notifications when Amazon Flex becomes available in your area.
5. TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is a versatile platform that offers numerous opportunities to earn money, and driving is just one of them. While it’s an excellent choice for drivers looking to maximize their income, it also allows you to explore a wide range of odd jobs, all while setting your own pay rates. Taskers on this platform can get paid for delivering items, running errands, assisting with furniture assembly or moving, and performing various handyman tasks. TaskRabbit conveniently uses direct deposit for payments, so having a valid checking account is a prerequisite to start earning money.
6. CarVertise and Wrapify
Are you interested in earning money with your car in a more passive manner, without actively transporting people or goods to specific destinations? Consider transforming your vehicle into a mobile advertising platform. Some companies are willing to pay you a monthly fee to drive around with their advertisements displayed on your car. Two leading companies in this niche are CarVertise and Wrapify. Your earnings will vary based on whether you choose to wrap your entire car or only display a partial ad. For example, Wrapify estimates that you can make between $181 and $280 per month by partially wrapping your car, and if you opt for a complete 360-degree wrap, your potential earnings could soar to as high as $452 per month. Certain brands may require you to drive a minimum number of miles during the ad campaign, making it an ideal opportunity for individuals who already have extensive daily commutes, such as food delivery drivers for Uber Eats or DoorDash.
7. Turo
Just as Airbnb allows homeowners to rent out their properties to travelers, Turo offers a similar service for car owners. If your car spends more time parked in your driveway or an apartment complex’s parking lot than it does on the road, you can potentially rent it out to people in need of temporary transportation, thereby generating significant income. Turo simplifies the process and provides up to $750,000 in liability insurance coverage, offering peace of mind to vehicle owners. According to Turo’s estimates, you can earn an average of $10,516 per year by renting out a single car, making it a compelling option for those looking to monetize their idle vehicles.
Do You Have What It Takes?
Several driving apps offer unique and straightforward ways to earn money during your free time. Whether you opt to drive for Uber, deliver food with DoorDash, or turn your car into a rolling advertisement, all you need is some spare time and, of course, a vehicle. While earning money behind the wheel can be an appealing prospect, especially if you enjoy driving, it’s essential to remember that it’s not the sole means of supplementing your income. You can explore a multitude of other side hustle ideas to bolster your monthly budget.
In conclusion, the opportunities for making money with your car are more diverse and accessible than ever before. By harnessing the power of these driving apps and platforms, you can transform your car from a financial burden into a valuable asset that generates income. So, if you have a car and some spare time, why not explore these lucrative possibilities and take the first step toward unlocking the earning potential that’s right at your fingertips?
Don’t waste a moment, explore the amazing list of Apps curated by our technology experts now and advance to the next stage in your success challenge.