SkipTheDishes Driver Requirements

Are you looking to make extra money as a SkipTheDishes driver? You can apply directly from the Skip Courier mobile app. But before you sign up, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the following requirements.

Age requirements

To become a SkipTheDishes courier, you must be the age of majority in the province where you live, which is 18 and, in some cases, 19. One reason for this is that Skip now offers alcohol delivery in certain provinces, specifically British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick. 

Alcohol delivery

If you wish to deliver alcohol, you must follow the rules and regulations for alcohol delivery and certification in your province. For example, to deliver alcohol in Ontario, you must be 19 years of age and possess a Smart Serve Ontario Certification. 

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Vehicle requirements 

With SkipTheDishes, you can sign up for car or bike deliveries or both. However, bike deliveries are currently only available in the following cities: 

• Halifax 
• Montreal (Central East)
• Toronto (Downtown)
• Vancouver (Downtown)

Unlike some gig apps, there are no specific SkipTheDishes car requirements, but they expect you to drive a reliable car. You will need to provide a valid driver’s license and a copy of your vehicle’s insurance registration. 

Required documentation

You will be required to provide most, if not all, of the following documentation to become a Skip Driver: 

• Valid drivers licence 
• A copy of government-issued photo ID 
• Bank account information 
• Information for your background check, including your name, date of birth, gender, contact information, and five years of residence history. 
• Proof of work eligibility (passport, birth certificate, Certificate of Indian Status, work or study permit  

Background check

You must complete a background screening check during the signup process. You can provide an existing one if it’s less than 90 days old. Otherwise, Skip will submit a background check through Sterling, the company that handles its background checks. Note that background checks can take up to 14 business days to process. 

Other requirements

In addition to age and vehicle requirements, you must have a smartphone with a data plan, a bank account, and a food delivery bag.

Delivery bags

Skip has very specific delivery bag requirements, including bags for bike couriers. They must be thermal bags large enough to accommodate any meals you deliver. If you plan to supply a delivery bag, you must provide SkipTheDishes with a photo to approve it. Otherwise, you can purchase a commercial-grade delivery bag from Skip for around $60 during the application process. It will be delivered to you after the background check is completed. 

How to sign up with SkipTheDishes

Once you’ve determined your eligibility and gathered the necessary documentation, you can apply to become a Skip driver. Here are the basic steps to follow: 

1. Download the Skip Courier App from the App Store or Google Play Store. Open the app and select “Apply Now.”
2. Create a Skip account by providing the required information.  
3. Follow the prompts to create your courier profile. By providing your address, you can see the delivery zone in your immediate area. Depending on your area, you may be able to select and add multiple delivery zones. 
4. Provide any necessary documentation and agree to the background check screening process. 
5. Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll need to wait until the background check is completed before you can start working. This process can take up to 14 business days. 

Choosing your preferred delivery zones

As a Skip courier, you can choose your preferred delivery area within your city. Here are some keys to understanding how delivery zones work:

1. To be matched with deliveries, you must begin each shift in your preferred delivery zone. The Courier App includes a map you can refer to to ensure you are in your zone. 
2. Skip can match you with deliveries in any zone on your profile. You can limit your deliveries to a preferred zone by disabling other zones in the Courier portal's Availability tab.
3. You can also add zones in the Availability tab by selecting “Update Delivery Zones”, selecting an available zone, and saving your settings.

Keep in mind that SkipTheDishes is constantly adding new zones as they become available, so it’s important to check the app regularly to be updated on any changes. 

How SkipTheDishes scheduling works

To ensure it has enough couriers to deliver orders and that couriers have ample opportunity to maximize their earning potential, SkipTheDishes forecast the number of orders they expect and the number of drivers they’ll need to fulfill those orders. There are two ways to ensure you’re available for Skip order: 

1. Setting your availability in the courier app: By setting your availability by 11:59 PM each Wednesday, you’ll be eligible for the following week’s scheduled delivery runs, which are published on Thursdays. Setting availability does not guarantee that you’ll have orders at all of your available hours, as it will depend on customer demand and the number of couriers scheduled. However, Skip does its best to maintain the proper balance. 
2. Pick up open runs: You can find additional delivery opportunities by picking up open runs in the courier app. Open runs offer more flexibility than scheduled shifts, however, deliveries may not always be available, so it’s best to check the app regularly. 

Understanding the Skip social code 

All Skip users, including couriers, are expected to adhere to its Social Code. This includes promoting a safe and respectful network, refraining from fraudulent behaviour, dealing fairly with other Skip users, and maintaining a professional and respectful manner. If you are found to be in violation of Skip’s Social Code, you may be removed from the Skip network. 

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