Updated 2019 – Interested in signing up to become an UberEats Chicago driver? We break down how the pay works, what the requirements are to get started and where to drive.
Unlike many other delivery jobs, there are no shifts. UberEats Chicago drivers are completely independent. You can do 1 delivery on the way to your day job or work full-time up to 12 hours a day if you want.
Once you qualify, simply open the app, go online and start accepting delivery requests. If you want to take a break, stop for gas or go home, just log off and you’re done. It’s that simple!
Let’s show you how to get started so you can hit the road and make some money!
- Ways to Deliver in Chicago
- Uber Eats Chicago Driver Pay
- Requirements for Uber Eats
- Uber Eats Chicago Maps
- 5 Step Sign Up Process
- Uber Eats FAQ
- Contact Information
Ready to get started as an UberEATS driver? Help keep us going and use our referral when you sign up!
Ways to Deliver in Chicago
Currently, UberEats Chicago drivers can only deliver with a car or bike. The minimum requirements to get started are pretty simple.
UberEats Chicago Driver Pay
UberEats Chicago pay is calculated using a combination of 4 factors: pick up, drop off, time and distance. You are not paid by hour but rather by delivery.
First of all, you will be paid a flat fee to pick up the food and a flat fee to drop off the food, totaling $2.50.
Pay also includes a fixed amount per mile traveled from the restaurant to the customer. Unfortunately, you are typically not paid to travel to the restaurant. You also get a fixed amount per minute while on the delivery, which is based on an estimate that Uber’s algorithm calculates.
UberEats Chicago drivers are now part of a pre-tipping test market, where customers can add a tip before completing their order at the checkout screen.
Commissions and Extra Pay
Even more important to know is Uber takes a commission from the pay outlined above. This is known as “The Uber Fee”, or Commission, which can be anywhere between 15% – 35%. This can vary though depending on when you signed up, method of delivery and if you also drive UberX or another passenger service. If you drive passengers as well, it is usually 10% lower. In some cities, Uber will also lower the commission to entice new drivers.
During peak times Uber may offer a pay “boost”. This is where Uber uses a multiplier to increase your earnings. If an in-demand delivery area advertises a multiplier, like 1.5, then your pay is multiplied by 1.5 and therefore increased by 50%. The Uber commission is only applied to your initial fare, not the boost payment.
You can accept tips in cash or customers have the option to tip you in the app after the delivery is made.
35%
Uber Commission
UberEats Chicago Pay Calculations
With all these commissions, boosts, and compensation factors, it can get a bit confusing to calculate your pay. Although Uber does it for you, it is helpful to check your trip earnings for errors. Sometimes they are way off on the distance or the boost pay isn’t quite right. Maybe their commission seems too high?
We have your covered! Try our NEW UberEats Pay Calculator. Just enter all rates for your city (found above) and the Driver Pay Calculator will do the work for you!
Once you do a couple trips, you can see how long they take and even calculate what you are making per hour.
How do I get paid?
Bonuses & Incentives
Uber Pro Chicago
In November 2018, Uber announced a reward program for its drivers called Uber Pro. Drivers earn points in order to reach certain Uber Pro levels like Gold or Platinum. They can then begin to receive benefits like free tuition, roadside assistance, priority support, cash back on gas and much more.
You can visit Uber’s webpage for complete information on these programs. Although you can earn points doing deliveries, drivers who only do UberEats and do not transport passengers are not eligible for UberPro yet. The program is still in the Beta stage though so keep checking back for updates on the program as it progresses.
UberEats Chicago Driver Requirements
- 19 years old or older for cars (18 years for cyclists)
- 2-door or 4-door car 20 years old or newer
- Valid driver’s license (You need to have a state-issued ID for cyclists.)
- Valid vehicle insurance
- Apple or Android smartphone
UberEats Chicago Map for Drivers
Check out the UberEats Chicago map that shows the zone the delivery service operates in. The delivery zone covers most of Chicago including: The Loop, River North, West Loop, South Loop, West Town, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Lakeview, Uptown, Bronzeville, Logan Square, Roger’s Park, Ravenswood, Evanston, Oak Park, and Naperville.
If you want to know the busiest areas, you can refer to the UberEats Chicago map of hotspots. The smaller boxes show where most orders are coming from. The UberEats hotspots in Chicago are mainly Lakeview, Lincoln Park, The Loop and River North. Weekends, lunch and dinner are of course always the busiest.
Sign Up Process
Step 1: Visit their website, download and sign up through their Driver app for Androidor Iphone.
Use a friend’s referral code or help support our site by using ours: g4j6h654ue. You can also click on this link. There are usually bonuses available for new drivers.
Step 2: Upload the required documents.
Step 3: Wait for Uber to review your information and notify you when you have been activated.
Step 4: Download the Uber Driver app if you haven’t already done so.
Step 5: Finally, log into the app and go online whenever you want to start accepting delivery requests!
UberEATS FAQ
Do I need an insulated delivery bag?
Bags are not mandatory but they sure help. You can by one through their supplier for approximately $11.25 including shipping. It is important to note, some restaurants may not allow you to pickup an order without a bag, particularly when delivering pizzas. Either way, the cost is pretty low. For cyclists, the cost is around $40.
Are there scheduled shifts?
No. Just log in to the app and go online. You will then begin to receive “Pings”, which are on-demand requests for deliveries. Accept or decline requests and log off whenever you want! Uber states you must keep a satisfactory acceptance rate or you will be deactivate but there are conflicting reports about this actually happening.
Are there a minimum number of deliveries I need to do to stay active on the platform?
No, but if your documents expire you will need to upload new ones (for example, insurance) before you can start driving again.
Is there an orientation, interview or “onboarding” session?
No, everything is done online or you can you go the Greenlight Hub closest to you to sign up or get help if you need it!
How do multiple orders work?
Sometimes you will pick up more than one order at the same time from the same restaurant. In this case, everything remains the same except you get a drop-off fee for each location you deliver to. Of course, you will be paid the extra kilometres you drive and the extra time it takes but you will only be paid one pickup fee.
What happens if the customer doesn’t answer the door when I arrive?
Contact the customer by phone first. If they don’t answer, a timer will start and after 5-8 minutes you can leave and will still get paid the full fare. You can keep the food too!
Contact Information
Uber Help Center: Help Center
Ubereats support number: 1-800-617-1979 (for drivers currently on deliveries)
Uber support number: 1-800-593-7069 (only for current drivers)
You can also access the phone number in your Driver App. Note: This will bring you to the main Uber support number and they may re-direct you to the UberEats support number.
About The Author: Commercial Driver HQ
Commercial Driver HQ strives to provide you with quality information about driving for a living. Whether you’re an Uber driver or a long haul trucker, we are here to help you succeed!
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