Side Gigs If You Have a Car

If you need a little extra money and have a car, you're in luck. There are all sorts of freelance job opportunities for car owners. Whether you’re looking for a full-time job or just want to supplement your income, these side hustles can be a great option.

Sign Up for Rideshare Services

One of the most common side jobs for car owners is joining a rideshare service. Uber, Lyft, and other services allow you to pick up people in need of a ride and take them to their destinations. There’s always a decent amount of demand for rides, so it’s usually easy to find extra jobs as needed. All you need for this job is a phone, a car, and some free time.

With these sorts of side hustles, you can customize the job to fit your needs. Some people drive just as much as a full-time job, making enough to pay for groceries, rent, and other essential expenses. Others just work for rideshare apps on weekends, nights, or other busy times. It's even possible to set your availability to coincide with your commutes or other travel. Some apps will allow drivers to only pick up rides headed in a certain direction, so you can get where you need to go while making a bit of extra money.

Deliver Food as Your Side Gig

Now more than ever, food delivery is a much-needed service. These sorts of side hustles usually involve signing up for apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash. Once you're signed up for the app, you can pick up food from restaurants and deliver it to homes or businesses in your car. Most food delivery side gigs work almost like a rideshare service. However, instead of noisy and potentially messy passengers, you just drive food around.

For most food delivery gigs, you make the most if you can drive during popular times like lunch and dinner. However, it might still be possible to get some jobs during odd hours. Getting enough jobs to earn a decent wage will mostly depend on your location. Some drivers find that they do better by traveling to a nearby city each day to deliver food.

Enjoy Earning Passive Income With an Advertising Side Gig

Did you know there are people who will pay you just to drive around? Companies like Wrapify, StickerRide, and Carvertise hire cars to become a mobile billboard. Most of these companies work the same way. They ask about your car, ask how big of an advertisement you are willing to put on your car, and ask where you regularly drive. Then they quote you a price, and if you agree, they arrange for a marketing sticker or wrap to be put on your vehicle.

Since this job doesn't require any active work, it can be a good idea to combine this side gig with your other jobs. Once you add the advertisement, you make passive money just from driving around. Depending on your location and your advertisement, you could make a few hundred dollars each month.

Rent Out Your Car for Extra Money

If you have a car but barely ever drive it, you can still make some money with a side gig. There are services you can use where you rent out your car on a short-term basis. Companies like Turo essentially work as the car version of Airbnb. You list your car on their website, and then a person who needs a vehicle can choose to rent your car.

Since these sorts of side jobs involve turning your vehicle over to a stranger, make sure to read all the fine print carefully. Some car rental services will handle insurance and legal matters for you while others will not. Make sure you pick an option that protects your vehicle and your finances. As long as you take the time to research rentals beforehand, this can be an ideal way of making money with your car while you stay home.

Try Package Delivery as Your Side Gig

A lot of big delivery companies like Amazon have started using contractors for some of their deliveries. You typically have to sign up for a program with the company and make sure you are willing to drive in one of the areas they need deliveries. Depending on the company, there may be extra requirements like passing a background check or owning a four-door vehicle. Then, you will have the option of picking up packages from a fulfillment center and taking them to their destination.

For many people, this is an ideal side hustle because it does not rely on working "busy" hours such as dinner or weekend evenings. Instead, you can find reliable work at most times of the day. Unlike ridesharing or food delivery, you do not have to sit around waiting between jobs. Instead, you usually sign up for a shift that has you delivering a set number of packages at your own pace. This can make package delivery a less stressful and more cost-effective option than some other side jobs.

Ultimately, having a car makes it easier for you to try out different side gigs. The nice thing about these jobs is that you set your own schedule, so you can take on as much or as little work as you need to. If you're looking for other ways to make money, there are plenty of other great options, too. Just keep your eyes open as different opportunities arise and continue to do research in fields that interest you.