Introduction: Why Driving Is the Hottest Side Hustle in Canada
If you own a reliable vehicle and have a few spare hours each week, you have the potential to start one of the most flexible and profitable side hustles available in Canada: driving and delivery jobs.
The gig economy has exploded, and platforms are constantly hungry for motivated drivers to deliver everything from takeout meals and groceries to full Amazon packages. Whether you live in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, or Calgary, these flexible opportunities let you be your own boss, set your own hours, and quickly turn your spare time into valuable cash flow.
This guide breaks down the top delivery apps in Canada, reveals how much you can truly earn, and shares the proven strategies top drivers use to maximize their income.
The Top Driving & Delivery Apps for Canadian Side Hustlers
Choosing the right platform is the first step to success. In Canada, delivery opportunities generally fall into three lucrative categories: Food, Groceries, and Packages.
1. Food Delivery Giants: DoorDash, Uber Eats, & SkipTheDishes
Food delivery remains the most popular and easiest sector to break into, offering high volume during peak meal times.
Platform | Key Features for Canadians | Estimated Hourly Earnings |
SkipTheDishes | Canada’s homegrown food delivery app. Strong presence across major and mid-sized cities. | $15 – $25/hour + Tips |
DoorDash | The largest food delivery platform in North America. Offers frequent incentives and "Peak Pay" bonuses during busy times. | $16 – $30/hour + Tips |
Uber Eats | Excellent coverage, often integrated with the primary Uber app. Known for its steady flow of orders in dense urban areas. | $15 – $22/hour + Tips |
Tip: If you are new to the side hustle world, sign up for two of these apps (known as multi-apping). This ensures you minimize downtime and always have a lucrative order waiting, dramatically boosting your effective hourly rate.
2. Package and Grocery Delivery: Amazon Flex & Instacart
For those who prefer a more structured schedule or dealing with larger orders, package and grocery delivery platforms offer reliable income outside of the traditional dinner rush.
Amazon Flex: This platform allows you to use your own vehicle to deliver Amazon packages. Drivers book "blocks" of time (typically 3–4 hours) and are guaranteed a specific pay rate for that block.
The draw: Predictable pay, often cited between $22 and $27 CAD per hour.
Requirements: Requires a mid-sized or larger vehicle in most major Canadian hubs (Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton).
Instacart: As a Full-Service Shopper, you get paid to shop for and deliver groceries to customers. This job requires organization and quick thinking in the aisles, but often results in higher base pay and tips due to the larger order values.
3. Ridesharing: The Passenger Alternative (Uber/Lyft)
While focused on delivery, ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft offer another powerful way to monetize your vehicle. If you enjoy interacting with people and your vehicle meets the eligibility standards, combining delivery with ridesharing during complementary peak hours (like late nights on weekends) can be a powerful side hustle strategy.
Maximizing Your Earnings: Pro Strategies for Canadian Drivers
Earning potential isn't just about the app; it's about strategy. The difference between a driver making $15/hour and one making $30/hour is usually a handful of smart operational habits.
1. Master the Multi-App Strategy (The Money Hack)
The single best way to maximize earnings is to be active on multiple platforms simultaneously (e.g., DoorDash and Uber Eats).
The Process: When an order is accepted on one app, temporarily pause the other app. When the delivery is complete, check both apps for the highest-paying next order heading in the same general direction.
The Benefit: Eliminates 10-15 minutes of downtime between deliveries, turning waiting time into earning time.
2. Conquer Peak Hours and "Hot Zones"
Demand determines pay. Focus your shifts during high-demand times when apps offer surge or bonus pay:
Lunch Rush: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Weekdays)
Dinner Rush (Gold Mine): 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Especially Friday and Saturday)
Weekend Evenings: Sunday evening for family takeout.
Always monitor the app's hot zones or busy areas—these are typically dense restaurant clusters or downtown cores where your chances of getting back-to-back orders are highest.
3. Provide 5-Star Service for Better Tips
Tips are often 30–50% of your take-home income. Simple gestures can increase your tips:
Communicate: Send a friendly text if there’s a delay at the restaurant.
Be Polite: Always smile and thank the customer.
Attention to Detail: Double-check for cutlery or specific instructions (like "leave at door").
Essential Requirements & Tax Considerations in Canada
Before you hit the road, ensure you meet the necessary criteria and understand your responsibilities as an independent contractor.
Driver and Vehicle Requirements
Most delivery platforms across Canada require:
Age: 18 or 19+ (depending on the platform and province).
License: Valid Canadian driver’s license.
Vehicle: Reliable car (or in dense urban centres, sometimes a bike or scooter).
Insurance: Valid vehicle insurance. Note: Some services may require you to inform your insurance provider that you are using your vehicle for "commercial use" (gig work).
Background Check: A clear criminal and driving record.
Understanding Your Taxes: Mileage and CRA Deductions
As an independent contractor (self-employed), you are responsible for paying your own income tax to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The upside is that you can claim a range of necessary business expenses to lower your taxable income.
Crucial Deductible Expenses:
Vehicle Expenses: The percentage of your vehicle use dedicated to your side hustle can be claimed. This includes gas, repairs, maintenance, insurance, registration fees, and even lease payments or depreciation. You must track your mileage accurately (using a logbook or a mileage tracking app) to calculate the business use percentage.
Phone and Data: A portion of your cell phone bill (since the app requires constant data use).
Insulated Bags: The cost of any specialized delivery equipment you purchase.
Pro-Tip: Dedicate 15–20% of your earnings to a separate savings account to cover your tax obligations at the end of the year.
Conclusion: Start Earning Today
Driving and delivery jobs offer unparalleled flexibility and a low barrier to entry, making them one of the best side hustles in Canada for quick cash. By signing up with the top Canadian platforms—like SkipTheDishes, DoorDash, and Amazon Flex—and applying smart earning strategies, you can easily reach or exceed the $25/hour mark.
Ready to take control of your income? Choose your platform, download the app, and start driving toward your financial goals today!