What Grubhub Drivers Do and How They Get Paid
Grubhub drivers pick up food orders from restaurants and deliver them to customers. You work on your own schedule, use your own vehicle, and keep a portion of what customers pay. Grubhub takes a cut of each order—typically 20 to 30 percent—and the rest goes to you, though the exact split depends on the delivery distance, time of day, and current demand in your area.
You are classified as an independent contractor, not an employee. That means Grubhub does not withhold taxes, provide benefits, or cover vehicle damage or accidents. You are responsible for your own gas, maintenance, insurance, and tax reporting. Some drivers use Grubhub as a primary income source; others use it for supplemental earnings during specific hours.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, and pass a background check before Grubhub will set up your account.
- Grubhub pays you per delivery, not per hour, and the amount shown before you accept an order is the may provide minimum—you may earn more if customers tip.
- You choose which orders to accept and when to work, but Grubhub can deactivate your account if you decline too many orders or maintain a low acceptance rate.
- You must provide your own vehicle, maintain valid auto insurance, and cover all fuel and maintenance costs yourself.
- Grubhub issues a 1099-NEC tax form at year-end, and you are responsible for paying self-employment tax and income tax on your earnings.
Account Setup and Background Requirements
To start, you create a Grubhub driver account on the app or website and provide your name, email, phone number, and Social Security number. Grubhub runs a background check through a third-party service, typically checking for felonies, violent crimes, and driving violations. The check usually takes three to five business days, though it can take longer if records are unclear.
You must upload a photo of your driver's license, proof of vehicle registration, and proof of auto insurance. Your insurance must be active and cover commercial delivery driving—personal auto policies often exclude this, so check with your insurer before you start. If your policy does not cover delivery work, you may need to add a commercial rider or switch to a policy that does.
Once your background check clears and documents are verified, Grubhub sends you an set up email. You can then log into the driver app, go online, and start receiving delivery offers in your area.
How Orders Come to You and How You Accept Them
When you go online in the driver app, Grubhub shows you available orders in real time. Each order displays the restaurant, pickup location, delivery address, estimated distance, and the amount Grubhub guarantees to pay you. You have a limited time—usually 30 seconds to a few minutes—to accept or decline the order before it goes to another driver.
The may provide pay amount shown is what Grubhub commits to pay; customer tips are added on top. However, Grubhub does not always show the full tip upfront. Some tips appear only after you complete the delivery. This means the actual payout can be higher than the initial offer.
You are not required to accept every order, but Grubhub tracks your acceptance rate. If you decline too many orders or maintain a very low acceptance rate over time, Grubhub may deactivate your account or reduce the number of orders sent to you. The exact threshold is not publicly stated, but drivers report that consistently declining orders can trigger account review.
The Pickup and Delivery Process
After you accept an order, the app shows you the restaurant address and the customer's delivery address. You navigate to the restaurant, park, and go inside to pick up the order. Some restaurants have a dedicated pickup area for delivery drivers; others require you to wait in line or ask a staff member for the order.
Once you have the food, you confirm pickup in the app and head to the customer's address. The app provides turn-by-turn navigation and shows you the exact delivery location. When you arrive, you contact the customer if needed, leave the food in the location they specified (porch, lobby, apartment door), and mark the delivery complete in the app.
Grubhub does not require you to wait for the customer to answer the door or verify receipt. You photograph the delivery location as proof, and that completes your obligation. If a customer later claims they did not receive the order, Grubhub reviews the photo and your account history to determine whether to refund them.
Pay Structure and How Money Reaches Your Account
Grubhub pays you per delivery. The amount depends on the base pay Grubhub sets for that order (which factors in distance and demand), plus any customer tip. Base pay typically ranges from $3 to $10 per delivery, though it varies by market and time of day. During busy periods or in areas with high demand, base pay increases.
Grubhub deposits your earnings into your bank account weekly, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday. You can view your balance and earnings history in the driver app at any time. If you have not provided banking information, Grubhub can issue a debit card, though direct deposit is faster and more common.
You do not receive payment for time spent waiting at restaurants, sitting between orders, or traveling to a pickup location. You are paid only for completed deliveries. If you accept an order and then cancel it before picking it up, you do not get paid, though one or two cancellations usually do not affect your account. Frequent cancellations can lead to deactivation.
Taxes, Expenses, and What You Owe
As an independent contractor, you are responsible for all taxes on your Grubhub income. At the end of each tax year, Grubhub sends you a 1099-NEC form showing your total earnings. You must report this income on your federal tax return and pay both income tax and self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare), which totals roughly 15.3 percent of your net profit.
You can deduct business expenses from your income to lower your taxable profit. Common deductions include mileage (you can deduct the actual cost of gas and maintenance, or use the standard mileage rate set by the IRS each year), phone service used for work, vehicle insurance, and car payments. Keep records of your mileage and expenses throughout the year.
Many drivers underestimate their tax liability because they see gross earnings but forget that expenses and taxes reduce what they actually keep. If you earn $20,000 in gross Grubhub income but spend $8,000 on gas and maintenance, your taxable profit is $12,000. After self-employment tax, you owe roughly $1,800 in federal taxes alone. Setting aside 25 to 30 percent of each paycheck for taxes is a common strategy.
Account Deactivation and What Can Get You Removed
Grubhub can deactivate your account without warning if you violate their terms. Common reasons include a low acceptance rate (declining most orders), a low completion rate (canceling deliveries after accepting them), customer complaints about late deliveries or missing items, or a poor rating from customers. Grubhub does not publish exact thresholds, but drivers report that ratings below 4.6 stars or acceptance rates below 80 percent can trigger review.
If your background check reveals new criminal charges or driving violations after you start, Grubhub may deactivate you. Driving violations such as DUIs, reckless driving, or multiple speeding tickets within a short period can result in removal. You can appeal a deactivation by contacting Grubhub support, but the company rarely reverses the decision.
You also lose access to your account if you do not go online for an extended period—typically 30 days or more. Reactivation usually requires you to update your documents and pass another background check.
Insurance, Vehicle Requirements, and Safety
Your personal auto insurance likely does not cover commercial delivery. Most personal policies exclude any income-generating use of the vehicle. You must either add a commercial delivery rider to your existing policy or switch to a policy that covers gig work. Some insurers offer specific rideshare or delivery coverage; others require you to upgrade to a commercial policy.
Grubhub does not provide vehicle insurance, health insurance, or accident coverage. If you are in an accident while delivering, your personal insurance may deny the claim if they discover you were working. This leaves you personally liable for damages. Before you start, confirm with your insurer that your policy covers delivery work.
Your vehicle must be in safe working condition and pass a standard inspection. Grubhub does not require a specific make or model, but the vehicle must be roadworthy. You are responsible for all maintenance, repairs, and fuel. Many drivers find that wear and tear on their vehicle—especially on tires and brakes—adds up quickly with frequent deliveries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get approved as a Grubhub driver?
Background checks typically take three to five business days. Once your check clears and you upload your license, registration, and insurance, set up usually happens within 24 hours. In some cases, document verification can take longer if Grubhub needs to contact your insurance company or if records are unclear.
Can I work for Grubhub and DoorDash at the same time?
Yes. Both companies allow you to work for multiple delivery platforms simultaneously. Many drivers use multiple apps to maximize earnings and have more order options. You manage your own schedule and can go online or offline on any platform whenever you choose.
What happens if a customer says they didn't receive their order?
Grubhub reviews the photo you took at delivery and your account history. If the photo shows the food was left in the correct location, Grubhub typically sides with you and does not refund the customer. If you did not take a photo or the photo is unclear, Grubhub may refund the customer and deduct the amount from your next payout. Repeated complaints can lead to account review or deactivation.
Do I have to accept every order Grubhub sends me?
No, you can decline orders. However, declining too many orders lowers your acceptance rate, and Grubhub may reduce the number of orders sent to you or deactivate your account if the rate stays very low. The exact threshold is not public, but maintaining an acceptance rate above 80 percent is generally safe.
How much can I realistically earn as a Grubhub driver?
Earnings vary widely by location, time of day, and how many hours you work. Drivers in busy urban areas typically earn more per delivery than those in rural areas. During peak hours (lunch and dinner), base pay and tips are usually higher. Most drivers report earning between $15 and $25 per hour before expenses, though this drops significantly after you account for gas, maintenance, and taxes.