Can I Drive for Multiple Services at the Same Time?

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The rise of e-commerce means purchases are brought right to our doorsteps more than ever. Super convenient, right?

And there’s no sign of the package shipping boom slowing down.

But what comes with a massive industry boom?

Job opportunities!

In fact, delivery truck drivers and delivery sales jobs are expected to grow 12% from 2020 to 2030 — faster than other types of jobs.

There are a lot of reasons to consider delivery driving. For example, you can become part of a fast-growing industry, work on the go, and explore your area (anyone up for some sightseeing?).

But if you want to work for a major courier company like UPS, USPS, FedEx, Amazon, or DHL, there’s one important thing to research: whether you can work for multiple companies at the same time.

For example, if you work for both UPS and FedEx, you might actually be violating your contract with one or both companies — no bueno!

It’s important to do your research first if you’re thinking of taking on multiple jobs.

And what about food delivery apps in the gig economy?

Can you become a DoorDash driver and work for Grubhub at the same time?

This article answers your questions, discusses how working for multiple delivery platforms and services can impact you, and explains the rules.

Can you drive for multiple courier services at once?

As a delivery company employee, you might wonder if you can work for multiple delivery services at the same time.

The answer is: It depends on the company you’re working for and their “conflict of interest” policies. This covers people who take part in an activity or relationship that benefits them and not their employer.

In other words, if you work for multiple companies, you might have to promote competing products and services, creating a conflict of interest. 

In general, employees aren’t allowed to work for multiple delivery companies at the same time.

This is because employees are typically responsible for marketing and promoting the products and services of their employer.

Still, there might be some small nuances between companies. 

For example, USPS employees can’t work for “Amazon, DHL, FedEx, UPS, and other companies that deliver mailable matter, other than daily newspapers.”

However, you might be able to work for USPS and drive for Uber or Lyft because ride-hailing apps don’t compete directly with USPS.

If you’re thinking about taking a job as a delivery driver, be sure to check the company’s policies regarding conflict of interest first.

Following your company’s policies is a great way to avoid any legal issues down the road!

Interestingly enough, though, you don’t have to look far to find stories of people who have secretly worked for UPS and FedEx at the same time — despite FedEx having a clear policy against this.

Courier employees vs. independent contractors

As you can tell, working for two competing companies as an employee can present a sticky legal situation — and who wants that?

That’s because you’re an employee, not an independent contractor.

What’s the difference?

Well, an employee works for a company in an ongoing hourly or salaried position. Meanwhile, an independent contractor contracts with a company to do a service on a temporary or project basis.

Legally, there are some differences between a delivery company employee and an independent contractor. 

Employees usually have to follow a contract, which states whether they can work for other companies at the same time.

Independent contractors aren’t usually tied down by those same contracts because they’re considered self-employed.

This means they can usually work for multiple companies at the same time without problems. They might also enjoy other perks, like the ability to make their own hours and keep up with other side hustles.

So, technically, you could work for multiple delivery services at the same time if you’re an independent contractor. 

Learn how to become an independent courier contractor with our in-depth guide.

It’s important to remember that most delivery companies prefer their employees to be exclusive to their company. 

So, while you might technically — BIG emphasis on “technically” — be able to work for multiple delivery services at the same time, you probably don’t want to for legal reasons.

Can you drive for other couriers while working at USPS? 

Sorry to break it to ya, but the answer is no.

USPS employees aren’t allowed to work for any other delivery company, including Amazon, DHL, FedEx, UPS, or any other company that delivers mailable matter.

Here’s the info from their official site:

The Postal Service wants to remind employees about the rules for working for an outside employer or seeking outside employment.

USPS prohibits its employees from working for:

• Amazon, DHL, FedEx, UPS, and other companies that deliver mailable matter, other than daily newspapers
• Commercial mail-receiving agencies
• Companies that make uniforms or other products for the Postal Service
• Transportation contractors who move mail to or from the employee’s postal facility or within the delivery area of the employee’s facility
• Employees also cannot engage in any sales activity while on duty, in uniform, or at any postal facility.

Employees also need to get approval from the Ethics Office before working for a company that offers services to USPS, is affected by postal rates, or companies the employee has official dealings with on behalf of USPS.

Employees have to send in a written letter to the Ethics Office, disclosing the name of the outside employer, a job description, and if the employee has had any dealings with the company in their postal capacity. They also have to submit a statement to their supervisor for approval.

If their request is approved and the employee begins outside employment, they still need to follow all USPS regulations, continue to arrive at work on time, and not let their new job affect their performance at USPS.

The website also states, “Postal employment must take precedence when a scheduling conflict arises with the outside job.”

If you’re thinking about becoming a USPS employee, you’ll have to be loyal to USPS and won’t be able to work for any other delivery company.

Can you drive for other couriers while working at Amazon? 

If you’re looking for a job with Amazon, you might wonder if you can also work for other delivery services. 

After all, it would be super convenient to kill two birds with one stone — or, in this case, make two deliveries with one car.

Unfortunately, the answer isn’t straightforward — sorry!

Amazon drivers are either employees or independent contractors, and the rules that apply to each group differ.

Employees aren’t allowed to work for other delivery services while working for Amazon.

However, independent contractors can work for other companies — as long as they follow the requirements of their contract with Amazon.

Amazon Flex drivers are treated as independent contractors, similar to Uber drivers, and are paid per completion of a delivery route rather than by the hour. 

Flex drivers need their own vehicles or must rent delivery vans.

Keep in mind that an independent contractor won’t have the benefits that come with being an employee, such as paid time off or health insurance.

You’ll also be responsible for your own taxes. Need some help? Check out our guide to filing tax returns for delivery drivers in 2022.

So, if you’re hoping to add to your income by driving for other companies, you’ll need to make sure that you’re considered an independent contractor.

Otherwise, you might find yourself out of a job — and out of luck.

Are you interested in becoming an Amazon driver? Read our guide on how much Amazon drivers make and how to get started. 

Keep in mind that pay rate depends on your location. Places with a high cost of living like New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco tend to have higher payouts than rural areas.

Can you drive for other couriers while working at FedEx? 

This is a solid no.

FedEx has one of the clearest policies regarding conflicts of interest.

In their own words:

“Team members should not take additional employment with an outside entity, operate your own business, serve in any capacity for any for‐profit or nonprofit organization, hold a public office or participate in similar situations, if the activity will interfere with your job duties for, or primary business loyalty to, FedEx.”

What does this mean for you?

It means that if you want to drive for FedEx, you can’t also drive for UPS, DHL, or any other company that might be considered a competitor. 

If you think you might be able to get away with it, these drivers have a story to tell. 

It looks like FedEx is pretty quick to put the pieces together.

So, if you’re looking for a job with FedEx, you’ll need to be prepared to only work for them.

Are you interested in working for FedEx but looking for more information before you get started?

Learn more about how much FedEx drivers make, benefits, hours, and more.

Can you drive for other couriers while working at UPS? 

This question is a bit more complicated.

The UPS website doesn’t explicitly state that you can’t work for other delivery services while working for them.

However, it’s safe to assume the same rules apply regarding employees and contract workers.

There is one gray area worth mentioning: Personal Vehicle Drivers (PVDs).

Sometimes known as seasonal personal vehicle package drivers or peak delivery drivers, PVDs are temporary employees who support UPS ground services during seasons of high demand.

Peak delivery drivers often deliver packages in smaller quantities than regular UPS delivery drivers and often work during Christmas to help handle the increase in work.

While this role sounds like the makings of an independent contractor — after all, you’re using your own vehicle — it’s not.

Driving your own vehicle doesn’t automatically mean you’re an independent contractor — things are never that easy! 

UPS hires PVDs as employees and pays payroll taxes for all seasonal employees, so they’re not considered independent contractors.

This means peak drivers have the same rules regarding conflicts of interest and working for competitors as employees.

To sum up: if you’re hoping to work for UPS, you’ll need to be prepared to commit to working only for them.

What is it like being a UPS personal vehicle driver? Watch this YouTube video for a firsthand review, or check out this article from the Rideshare Guy.

Can you drive for multiple food delivery apps at once?

DoorDash, Grubhub, Caviar, Postmates, and Uber Eats — there are a lot of food delivery companies to check out.

But can you work for more than one of these companies at the same time?

The good news is that nothing is stopping you from signing up for multiple apps and working as a delivery driver for multiple companies — it’s a perk of being an independent contractor!

However, there are a few challenges when working for multiple food delivery services.

For example, you’ll need to be careful about managing your time and making sure that you fulfill your obligations to each company.

Still, working for multiple food delivery services can be a great way to boost your income if you’re up for the challenge.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits and potential challenges of doing pickup and drop-off for multiple food delivery services.

Benefits of working multiple food delivery apps at the same time 

There are a few benefits to working for multiple food delivery companies at the same time.

• You’ll have the potential to earn more money by working for multiple companies.
• You’ll also have the flexibility to choose which orders you want to accept, which can be helpful if you’re trying to avoid heavy traffic or long delivery times.
• You can find the best food delivery service at any given time. If one company is slow, you can always switch to another app to find more delivery opportunities.
• You could potentially turn a part-time gig of delivering food for one app into a full-time job by working for multiple companies.
• You can take advantage of incentives, especially for new drivers. DoorDash has Dasher challenges, for instance. And Uber Eats drivers who reach Pro status have access to lots of perks, discounts, and incentives. Are you more interested in being a full-service shopper with a service like Shipt or Instacart? They have incentives, too.
• If you’ve met the requirements for one food delivery app, you likely meet the requirements for most other food delivery apps. This means you can sign up for multiple apps with little effort because you already have a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, a smartphone (iPhone iOS or Android), a clean driving record, and a clean background check.
• If you’re in a rural area with infrequent delivery requests, working for multiple apps can help you stay busy and lessen downtime between deliveries without overbooking or overwhelming yourself.

Challenges of working for multiple food delivery apps at the same time

While there are plenty of benefits to working for multiple food delivery apps at the same time, there are also a few challenges.

• The biggest challenge of working for multiple food delivery companies is managing your time. You’ll need to make sure you can fulfill your obligations to each company. For example, if you accept an order from DoorDash and then receive an order from Grubhub that would conflict with the first order, you’ll need to cancel one of the orders.
• It’s easy to get mixed up when you’re multitasking. Do you get paid direct deposit today or tomorrow? Can you ride with a friend (like with DoorDash and Grubhub), or are you working as an Instacart full-service shopper today and have to ride solo? Keeping things straight can get complicated.
• You’ll need a reliable vehicle that can handle the wear and tear of making multiple deliveries. This means your vehicle should be in good condition with valid registration and insurance.
• You’ll also need to be mindful of each company’s requirements. For example, some companies may allow you to drive a scooter or bike, while others only allow vehicles.
• You need to keep the apps open, which is tricky with a single phone (and adding a second phone increases your expenses).
• Customer tips influence your pay rate, so any lapse in your performance could hurt the amount you take home.

Can you drive for multiple ride-sharing apps at once?

Just like with food delivery services, multiple ride-sharing companies exist. 

Lyft and Uber are two of the most popular.

And just like with food delivery apps, you can sign up for multiple ride-sharing apps and drive for multiple companies at the same time because you’ll be working as an independent contractor.

In fact, many drivers work for more than one ride-sharing company.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re planning on driving for multiple ride-sharing companies.

First, you’ll need to be very organized and efficient in keeping track of your passengers and destinations.

Second, you may have to compete with other drivers from the same company if you’re working in the same area.

And finally, you’ll need a good car that can handle a lot of wear and tear.

If you’re up for the challenge, driving for multiple ride-sharing apps can be a great way to earn some extra money.

Check out this great resource on whether driving for multiple ride-sharing apps is worth it.

How can you make deliveries faster as a courier?

You want to be a better, faster, and more efficient delivery driver. Of course you do!

You can do a few things to make deliveries faster as a driver.

• Get familiar with the area. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s an important step to take if you want to make deliveries quickly. The more you know about an area, the easier it will be to find your way around and make deliveries in a timely manner.
• Use GPS. GPS can be a lifesaver when you’re trying to make deliveries quickly. It can help you avoid traffic and stay up to date on road closures.
• Plan your route in advance, or let Circuit Route Planner plan it for you. Circuit lets you plan routes for multiple deliveries, optimizing your route to be faster and more efficient!
• Don’t overdo it. Yes, you want to make deliveries quickly, but you also don’t want to wear yourself out. Make sure to pace yourself so you can maintain a high level of quality throughout your shift and not burn out.

How Circuit Route Planner saves delivery drivers time and money

Imagine if you could finish work an hour early every day. With Circuit Route Planner, that’s a reality.

With Circuit, you can:

• Find addresses fast. Quickly add, optimize, and find every address on your route, navigating smoothly with your favorite GPS. Add all your pickup locations at local restaurants for Grubhub, delivery locations for Shipt and other grocery delivery services, and more with Circuit.
• Stop sitting in traffic. Add, delete, or re-optimize multiple stops while on your route with ease, including hands-free voice entry to make delivery even faster.
• Get home earlier. Set priority deliveries and time windows for stops you have to do at specific times to reduce the chance of backtracking.
• Make more money. Make more money by delivering faster. Get through your routes sooner and up your capacity thanks to better efficiency.