The Ultimate Beginner's Guide for Postmates Drivers
From driver to driver

Now that you've signed up for Postmates passed the background check, you're officially a Postmates driver and you're part of the Postmates Fleet community. You've received and activated your prepaid card and the insulated bag that was mailed to your address. We’ve blogged a lot about the requirements to become Postmates and how easy is delivvering for Postmates. You do not need to schedule in advance your working hours. Now is the time to take the road and I want to reassure you that with some attention there will be nothing to worry about.

The following is a beginner’s guide to help you start with your new job. It is an overview of what I have learned in my Postmates driver job and I'm happy to share it with you.

First of all, let me remind you that Postmates is a delivery company based on a new technology platform that customers and drivers access through the App. The concept is simple. Postmates allows clients who use the Postmates App to choose from many restaurants or stores, request a delivery and track it. As a Postmates driver your main tool is the Postmates Fleet driver App. From now, you know that when we use the word 'Fleet' we refer to the Postmates drivers (ex. Postmates Fleet App = Postmates drivers App). If you have not yet downloaded the Postmates Fleet App, please have a look at our complete guide on Postmates Fleet App. Learn how to correcly install the Postmates Fleet App on iPhone and on Android.

Detailed steps of the Postmates Driver Job

Offering a great service is key to earn more thanks to the tips. We offer you a step by step analysis of the job of a Postmates driver.

#1 Before You Go Online in Your Postmates Fleet App

You Are Not Yet Online . Before you start, the first rule is 'Do not stress yourself', avoid frustration and prepare everything you need to make deliveries.

• Your Phone
• A Phone Charger
• The insulated Bag
• Your Prepaid Card
• Check the status of your vehicle (fuel, car tire pressure)
• If you use a bike, wear a helmet!
• You can take a look at the Fleet App and look for the best places to deliver. Busy areas are highligthed in the Postmates Fleet App.

#2 You Go Online

You are Online! Now you're online. If you've read our guide on the Postmates Fleet App, you already know that one way to earn more money is to set the 'auto acept order'. Auto accept order is a powerful feature of the Postmates Fleet App that allows drivers to maximize earnings thanks to batching orders. Deliveries are added to your route automatically. At this point all you have to do is follow the directions of Postmates Fleet App and go to your first pick up.

Postmates Fleet App will show you the pick up location and you can see more details about the order. You can accept or skip the order.

Does Postmates penalize you for skipping or cancelling orders?

Skiping orders is tolerate in Postmates platform. Canceling is frowned upon though Postmates will temporarily or definitely ban you from the platform if you do it too much.

Now that you are online, remember to keep trace of your miles! You can claim mileage on your tax return if you kept diligent track of your drives throughout the year. It's a good way to maximize your earnings. Take a look at our review of the best FREE App to track mileage.

#3 You Arrived at the First Pick up

You arrived at your first pick up. Here is what you have to do:

• Keep your phone on you when you get out of your car. You may need it to confirm order details, contact the customer, or review delivery instructions.
• Introduce yourself to the staff of the store who can help ensure you have the right order.
• Be patient! If you have to spend time waiting, for the restaurant to prepare a meal. Remember to keep your cool. Note: Postmates officially ditched its classic 1-to-5-star rating system for a binary thumbs-up, thumbs-down rating system. Unlike Doordash drivers, Postmates drivers do not have a 'On Time Ratings'.
• Verify that you’re picking up all the items of your order. If you have to delivery food, grab napkins and condiments.
• Check the Postmates Fleet App to see if there are other special instructions for the pick up.
• At this point you need to use the prepaid card that Postmates sent you with the welcoming kit to pay the order
• Confirm that you picked up your order
• Before you take the route, make sure everything you are delivering is appropriately stored. No customer wants their burger to arrive pre-mixed with their coke. Ensure that nothing spills, leaks, breaks, or smooshes.

#4 You Are on the Way to Drop off Your Order to the Customer

Follow the instruction of Postmates Fleet App to drop off the order to the customer. Postmates Fleet App as an integrated GPS system (Google Maps) that will also help you to choose the best route. Do not forget to check on the App for delivery instructions. If you’re having trouble finding a spot, or any delays or problems... The Postmates Fleet App gives you the possibility to contact the customer, but please do it reasonable!

#5 You Arrived to the customer

This is the most important moment of all the delivery because at the end of it the customer:

• Can Tip You. Tips are still not required, but most Postmates drivers will tell you that customers tip well.
• Can Rate the delivery Customer can rate the delivery with a thumbs-up, thumbs-down. You can take a look at our guide on Postmates ratings
• Be friendly, polite and introduce yourself.
• At the end, confirm you delivered the order to the customer.

It's important for you to know that at any time of the delivery process, if you have a problem with your order, you can contact Postmates Support through the Postmates Fleet App. This in not an emergency number, if you have an emergency, please call the 911!

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