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Grubhub is one of the older food-delivery platforms in the U.S. and operates in many cities alongside DoorDash and Uber Eats. Becoming a Grubhub driver works similarly to the other delivery platforms — online application, document verification, background check, and access to the Grubhub Driver app. This guide walks through the signup process, the realistic comparison with the alternatives, and why most active food-delivery drivers run Grubhub alongside other apps rather than as a sole platform.

If you’re earlier in the journey or considering DoorDash too, see How to Become a DoorDash Driver for the parallel walkthrough.

🍴 Sign Up With Grubhub →

Or compare with DoorDash · Uber Eats

What’s in this guide

What a Grubhub driver actually does

A Grubhub driver is a 1099 independent contractor who picks up restaurant orders and delivers them to customers. Functionally identical to DoorDash Dashers and Uber Eats drivers — same model, just a different app.

As a 1099 contractor:

  • You set your own schedule.
  • No taxes withheld; you pay them yourself.
  • You manage your own vehicle and expenses.
  • You’re not entitled to employee benefits.

The same tax framework applies as for DoorDash and Uber Eats — see Quarterly Estimated Taxes for Dashers (the rules apply identically to Grubhub income).

Honest comparison: Grubhub vs DoorDash vs Uber Eats

The honest framing for prospective Grubhub drivers:

Grubhub strengths:

  • Available in some markets where DoorDash has lower volume.
  • Established platform with stable infrastructure.
  • Some restaurants partner exclusively with Grubhub or have stronger Grubhub integration.
  • Schedule “blocks” system that lets some drivers lock in dedicated time slots.

Grubhub weaknesses:

  • Generally lower order volume than DoorDash or Uber Eats in most markets.
  • Restaurant network smaller than DoorDash in most cities.
  • Slower expansion in recent years vs competitors.

The honest take: Most full-time delivery drivers don’t recommend Grubhub as a sole platform — order volume just isn’t high enough in most markets. As an addition to DoorDash and Uber Eats, Grubhub fills gaps and provides extra order options during busy hours. Multi-apping is the standard play.

For the deeper DoorDash vs Uber Eats comparison, see DoorDash vs Uber Eats for Drivers.

Grubhub driver requirements

Per Grubhub’s published policies, the requirements:

Universal:

  • Age: 19+ (some markets 21+; differs from DoorDash and Uber Eats which often allow 18+)
  • Smartphone: iPhone or Android able to run the Grubhub Driver app
  • Social Security Number for tax reporting
  • Pass background check

For car drivers:

  • Valid driver’s license
  • At least 2 years of driving experience (some markets require less)
  • Vehicle insurance in your name
  • Vehicle that meets market-specific requirements

For bike/scooter delivery (in supported cities):

  • Most large cities support bike delivery
  • Specific gear and equipment requirements vary

For deep coverage of requirements, see Grubhub Driver Requirements.

Step-by-step: how to apply

The application takes 15–25 minutes:

Step 1 — Visit Grubhub’s driver signup page. Go to driver.grubhub.com from your phone or computer.

Step 2 — Enter basic info. Email, phone, name, ZIP code. Verify your email and phone via codes sent.

Step 3 — Confirm city availability. Grubhub confirms it serves your city. If not, you’d need to apply elsewhere.

Step 4 — Select your driving mode — car, bike, or scooter (where supported).

Step 5 — Personal information. Full legal name, date of birth, address. Must match your driver’s license.

Step 6 — Vehicle info (for car/scooter mode). Make, model, year, plate.

Step 7 — Upload required documents:

  • Driver’s license (front and back)
  • Vehicle insurance declaration page
  • Selfie photo for identity verification

Step 8 — Authorize background check. Sign electronically.

Step 9 — Wait for approval. Typically 3–7 business days.

Step 10 — Download the Grubhub Driver app and start receiving offers.

How long the background check takes

Grubhub’s background check timeline:

  • 3–5 business days: typical clean-record cases
  • 5–10 business days: if additional review needed
  • 10+ business days: atypical cases

Grubhub uses standard background-check vendors similar to DoorDash and Uber Eats. The criteria checked: criminal history, motor vehicle record (MVR), and identity verification.

For more detail on what’s checked and what disqualifies, see Grubhub Background Check Guide.

What happens after approval

Once approved:

  1. Download the Grubhub Driver app from the App Store or Google Play.
  2. Sign in with your Grubhub credentials.
  3. Set up payment method — typically weekly direct deposit. Some markets also offer Instant Cashout (with a fee).
  4. Schedule your first block (Grubhub’s term for a scheduled time window) or use Grubhub’s open-availability mode.
  5. Accept your first delivery offer.

Most newly-approved drivers complete their first delivery within hours of approval (during peak meal hours).

Multi-apping is the standard play. Grubhub + DoorDash + Uber Eats run simultaneously gives you the broadest order pool. DoorDash signup is 10–15 minutes.

Sign Up to Dash →

How Grubhub driver pay works (high level)

Grubhub uses a similar pay structure to other gig delivery platforms:

  • Mileage pay — typically a per-mile rate from pickup to drop-off
  • Time pay — a per-minute rate for time spent on delivery
  • Tips — 100% to driver, never reduced from base
  • Special offers / promotions — periodic bonuses for completing N deliveries

For specifics on rates in your market, consult Grubhub’s official driver pay information. We avoid quoting specific dollar rates because they vary significantly by market and time.

For the parallel discussion of DoorDash’s pay model, see How DoorDash Driver Pay Works and for Uber Eats, see How Uber Eats Driver Pay Works.

The multi-app strategy

For Grubhub specifically, multi-apping is essentially mandatory for full-time delivery work. The standard combination:

  • DoorDash + Uber Eats + Grubhub — the “big three” running simultaneously
  • Driver accepts whichever offer comes first that meets their per-mile threshold
  • App switching during slow hours to whichever has open offers

Grubhub on its own typically doesn’t generate enough order volume in most markets to support a full shift. Combined with the other two, it adds incremental orders and fills gaps.

If your application is denied

If you receive an Adverse Action notice from Grubhub:

  1. Read the notice carefully — indicates the reason and your appeal rights.
  2. Request a copy of the background check report.
  3. Dispute errors with the screening vendor.
  4. Consider alternatives — DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Instacart may have different adjudication standards. See How to Become a DoorDash Driver.
  5. Re-apply after relevant time windows pass if the issue was time-bound (e.g., old DUI).

Looking for a delivery alternative? Uber Eats has the broadest US restaurant footprint and Uber One bundles food + grocery + ride credits. Try Uber Eats →

FAQ

Is Grubhub easier to qualify for than DoorDash? Generally similar standards. Grubhub’s age minimum (19+) is slightly higher than DoorDash’s (often 18+).

Does Grubhub pay weekly? Default is weekly direct deposit. Some markets offer Instant Cashout (fees apply).

Can I do Grubhub on a bike? Yes, in many cities. Bike delivery requires fewer documents (no vehicle registration/insurance) but the same background check.

Can I do Grubhub and DoorDash simultaneously? Yes — and most full-time delivery drivers do. Different apps, different accounts, no conflict between them.

How does Grubhub compare to Uber Eats for tips? Mixed. In some markets Grubhub tips run higher; in others lower. Largely market-dependent.

Can I switch from car-mode to bike-mode after approval? Yes, in cities that support both. Update vehicle type in driver settings.

What if my city doesn’t have Grubhub? Try DoorDash or Uber Eats — coverage varies. See How to Become a DoorDash Driver and How to Become an Uber Eats Driver.

Will Grubhub give me a 1099 at tax time? Yes, if you earn $600+ in a year. See How to Get Your DoorDash 1099-NEC Tax Form — the parallel process applies for Grubhub income.

Do I need to sign up for blocks (Grubhub’s scheduled time windows)? Some markets require it during peak hours; others allow open-availability dashing. Varies by market.

Is Grubhub safe? Comparable safety to DoorDash and Uber Eats — similar urban driving and customer-interaction risks. The Grubhub Driver app has standard safety features.

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