The “gig economy” has been steadily growing in Canada, and there are tons of ways to earn some extra cash on the side.
Whether you’re looking for a bit of side money or a full-time career, these paid driving gigs will allow you to set your own schedule, so you can earn money when it’s best for you.
Below, I’m going to show you some of the best driving apps to make money in Canada.
Best Apps To Make Money Driving In Canada
You’ve probably ridden in an Uber before or gotten some food delivered from a restaurant courier service. Have you ever wondered how much you could earn as a driver, though?
Below, I’ll give you a brief overview of some of my favourite apps that pay you to drive in Canada, and how much you could potentially earn with each.
1. Uber
- Average Hourly Pay: $15 – $30 per hour
- Sign-Up Requirements: 4-door vehicle, license, clean driving/criminal record
- Job Difficulty Level: Moderate
Uber is one of the oldest and most time-tested paid driving apps in Canada. Uber introduced ridesharing to the world and turned the old-fashioned cab economy on its head. As an Uber driver, you can earn anywhere from $18 per hour on a slow day to upwards of $30 per hour during busy hours.
Uber also offers “surge pay” during high-volume hours of the day, such as rush hour (4pm to 6pm) or weekend nights when partygoers need a ride home. During these select peak hours, some Uber drivers report earning up to $100 per hour or more, though those results are not typical.
The general requirements to register as an Uber driver in Canada are:
- You must have an approved, insured vehicle with four doors
- You must be at least 21 years old
- You must have a drivers’ license
- You must consent to a criminal background check
Requirements may vary slightly, depending on which province you’re located in. You can view a full list of local Uber driver requirements here.
Related Reading: How Much Do Uber Drivers Make In Canada?
2. Lyft
- Average Hourly Pay: $15 – $29 per hour
- Sign-Up Requirements: 4-door vehicle, license, clean driving/criminal record
- Job Difficulty Level: Moderate
Lyft is Uber’s top competitor. Although it’s not quite as widespread as Uber, you can earn just as much with Lyft as you can with Uber. Overall, the two ridesharing platforms are almost identical.
Depending on driver availability and surge pricing in your city, you could earn more with Lyft than you could with Uber.
I’ve met some drivers who drive for both apps, and switch between the two, depending on which one is offering a better hourly rate that day or time.
Since you’re an independent contractor, there’s no rule against driving for both Lyft and Uber (as long as you’re not driving for both at the same exact time).
Lyft requirements in Canada may vary depending on your city. Overall, though, Lyft requires drivers to:
- Have a four-door vehicle that’s registered and insured
- Have a government-issued drivers’ license
- Consent to a criminal and driving record background check
- Be at least 25 years old
One of the main differences between Uber and Lyft is that Lyft requires their drivers to be at least 25 years old, while Uber only requires you to be 21 years old. This may automatically disqualify younger drivers from working with Lyft, so be sure to take this into account before applying.
3. Carvertise
- Average Pay: $200 to $1,500 per month
- Sign-Up Requirements: Registered and insured vehicle, license
- Job Difficulty Level: Easy
Carvertise connects you with local businesses and allows you to turn your car into a moving billboard. You’ll generally sign a contract for a set time period, during which you’ll be required to keep the decals on your car and drive a certain amount of hours per month.
Contract pricing varies depending on the size of the vehicle wrap, the company you’re working with, and how long you’ll be advertising for the company. As the middle-man, Carvertise will take a percentage of your profits.
4. DoorDash
- Average Hourly Pay: $15 to $23 per hour
- Sign-Up Requirements: Registered and insured vehicle, license, clean driving/criminal record
- Job Difficulty Level: Easy
DoorDash is one of the largest food courier services in Canada. As a driver, you’ll pick up food orders from restaurants and deliver them to customers at their homes or office.
DoorDash also provides eligible drivers with grocery shopping orders. For grocery orders, they’ll issue you a special prepaid debit card that comes loaded with the amount of money needed to purchase the exact items specified by the customer.
“Dashers” get paid a base rate per delivery, depending on the contract that DoorDash has with the restaurant.
This base rate usually increases by an extra dollar or two per delivery during peak hours, when the service is very busy or when there’s a driver shortage. These peak hours are usually during lunchtime (11am -1pm) and dinner (6pm – 9pm).
- Pro-Tip: If you want to maximize your earnings, you’ll want to figure out how to spend less money on fuel. Be sure to check out my post on how to save money on gas in Canada!
5. UberEats
- Average Hourly Pay: $16 – $23 per hour
- Sign-Up Requirements: Registered and insured vehicle, license, clean driving/criminal record
- Job Difficulty Level: Easy
UberEats is another courier service that’s similar to DoorDash. The main difference is that UberEats tends to cater more towards grocery store orders than restaurant orders. That being said, this strongly depends on the city you’re in and local customer habits.
The general requirements to be an UberEats courier include:
- You must be 19 years old (or 21 to deliver alcohol orders)
- You must have a registered and insured vehicle (it doesn’t have to be a four-door car)
- You must consent to a background check regarding your criminal and driving history
- You must be licensed to drive in your province
6. Amazon Flex
- Average Hourly Pay: $18 – $25 per hour
- Sign-Up Requirements: Registered and insured vehicle, drivers’ license, clean criminal/driving record
- Job Difficulty Level: Moderate
Amazon has grown into one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world. They’ve grown so large that they now rely on third-party delivery drivers to help them deliver packages to customers.
As an Amazon Flex driver, you’ll pick up packages from a central location, store them in your vehicle, and spend your day dropping them off at people’s homes and offices.
To drive for Amazon Flex in Canada, you must:
- Consent to a background check
- Have access to a licensed and insured vehicle
- Be at least 19 years old
- Have a government-issued drivers’ license
- Be able to lift moderately heavy packages
Amazon Flex drivers get to pick their own time blocks, starting as early as 4:30 am. Unlike food courier services, though, Amazon doesn’t allow drivers to deliver after 9:30 pm.
7. SkipTheDishes
- Average Hourly Pay: $15 – $24 per hour
- Sign-Up Requirements: Insured and registered vehicle, license, clean criminal/driving record
- Job Difficulty Level: Easy
SkipTheDishes is a lot like DoorDash, except the service is native to Canada. As a courier, you’ll pick up food and grocery orders, drop them off to customers, and collect tips along with a delivery fee.
The Skip network isn’t quite as large as DoorDash or UberEats, so it may not be worth the time in certain regions.
It is worth a try, though. Additionally, you only need to be 18 years old to deliver in some provinces, which means that it’s a great side hustle for teens who aren’t yet eligible for DoorDash or UberEats.
To register as a courier for the Skip network, drivers need to:
- Consent to a background check
- Provide verification proving their eligibility to work
- Have access to a registered and insured vehicle
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a smartphone and data plan
8. Instacart
- Average Hourly Pay: $15 – $25 per hour
- Sign-Up Requirements: License, registered and insured vehicle, consent for background check
- Job Difficulty Level: Easy
Unlike DoorDash and UberEats, which focus more on meal delivery, Instacart is centred around shopping for customers. As a courier, you’ll be sent grocery lists. It will be your job to visit the store and pick up grocery store orders for your customers.
That being said, Instacart does offer food delivery, so you’ll have an opportunity to deliver for restaurants as well.
Your average pay depends on how busy the app is, and tips vary depending on your customer. On average, though, most Instacart shoppers and restaurant couriers earn at least $15 per hour.
Highly efficient couriers can earn upwards of $25 per hour as well. It helps to know your local roads and stores!
9. Drivertise Advertising
- Average Pay: $70 – $250 per month, depending on ad size/placement
- Sign-Up Requirements: License, registered and insured vehicle
- Job Difficulty Level: Easy
Did you know that you can get paid to advertise your vehicle? If you don’t mind your daily driver looking a bit tacky, then you can earn anywhere between $70 and $250 per month from ad placements.
Drivertise connects drivers with local Canadian businesses and gives them a chance to earn residual income by consenting to drive around with vehicle graphics. Once the contract is signed, you’ll drop your car off at a registered shop for them to apply the graphics.
The more of your car you cover, the more you’ll be able to earn, with full wraps paying upwards of $250 per month or more.
10. Turo
- Average Pay: $40 – $300 per day, depending on your vehicle
- Sign-Up Requirements: Approved vehicle that’s registered and insured, must be 21 years old
- Job Difficulty Level: Easy
Active income is great, but passive income is what sets investors apart from workers. If you have an extra vehicle (or are willing to part with yours for a few days), then you can earn a decent amount of passive income by renting your vehicle out through Turo.
Turo is often referred to as the, “AirBnB of car rentals,” and allows anybody over the age of 21 to rent their registered and insured vehicle out to customers. If you offer vehicle delivery, you can generally charge a higher daily rate.
If you don’t want the hassle, though, you can get your customers to come pick the vehicle up from you.
Economy cars go for anywhere between $30 and $70 per day, while sports cars, luxury vehicles, and trucks go for well over $100 a day or more. Turo is a great way to help pay off your car or just earn some extra money while you’re not using it.
Here are Turo’s vehicle requirements for listing in Canada.
How to Make Money with Driving Apps
Here are some tips to help you get started:
Choose the Right App
There are several driving apps available in Canada that you can choose from. Some popular options include Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Postmates. Each app has its own requirements, earning potential, and payment structure. Do some research to find the app that best suits your needs and preferences.
Understand the Payment Structure
Most driving apps pay their drivers a base pay plus any customer tips. Some apps also offer bonuses for driving during peak hours or completing a certain number of trips. Make sure you understand the payment structure of the app you choose so you can maximize your earning potential.
Set Your Own Schedule
One of the best things about driving apps is the flexibility they offer. You can set your own schedule and work as much or as little as you want. This makes it a great option for those looking for a side hustle or some extra spending money.
Be a Safe and Courteous Driver
As a driver for a driving app, you are representing the company and its brand. It’s important to be a safe and courteous driver at all times. This includes following traffic laws, being polite to customers, and keeping your car clean and well-maintained.
Maximize Your Earning Potential
To maximize your earning potential, consider driving during peak hours when demand is high. You can also try working in areas where there is a high concentration of customers, such as near restaurants or shopping centers. Additionally, some apps offer bonuses for referring new drivers, so be sure to take advantage of these opportunities.
FAQs
Can I Drive For Postmates In Canada?
Postmates was once a very popular courier service available to Canadians. In 2020, though, Uber officially acquired the company. In June 2021, Uber announced that it was officially merging Postmates into UberEats. As a result, you’ll no longer be able to drive for or order from Postmates.
What are the requirements to become a driver for driving apps in Canada?
The requirements to become a driver for driving apps in Canada vary depending on the app you use. Generally, you will need a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and a vehicle that meets certain criteria. Some apps may also require you to pass a background check or provide proof of insurance.
Can I legally make money driving my own car in Canada?
Yes, you can legally make money driving your own car in Canada. However, you will need to make sure that you meet all of the legal and regulatory requirements for driving in your province or territory. This may include having the proper insurance coverage and meeting any licensing or registration requirements.
Conclusion
If you enjoy driving, then the gig economy is a great way to earn some extra money. If you’re talkative and your vehicle meets Uber and Lyft requirements, then I suggest trying your hand at ridesharing.
If you don’t have a four-door vehicle or don’t like people, then delivering for a courier service like DoorDash, UberEats, Instacart, or Amazon Flex might be a better choice.
These can also be done at the same time as you’re getting paid to drive around with ad decals for companies like Carvertise.
For more great ways to put extra money in your pocket, be sure to check out my list of the best side hustles for Canadians next!
