How to Become a DDI Driver: Requirements, Driver Pay, and Company Overview

It’s no longer headline news that the delivery industry is going through a moment of explosive growth. But what most people might not know is that a lot of the innovation in delivery is happening behind the scenes, in smaller industries that are quickly adapting to the new demand for delivery.

Businesses everywhere are starting to offer on-demand delivery services that would have seemed impossible only a few years ago. But finding and managing a fleet of delivery drivers is a big task, so many companies turn to outside experts to handle the administrative load.

Delivery Drivers Inc—DDI—is one of those delivery experts. DDI connects companies in need of delivery services with independent delivery drivers. DDI is currently offering delivery work opportunities all over the US, so if you’re a driver, take a look at DDI.

What is DDI? Delivery Drivers, Inc.

Delivery Drivers, Inc (DDI) helps companies find delivery drivers for last-mile and on-demand delivery. When a company wants to offer delivery services, they partner with DDI to help recruit and provide HR management 1099-IC drivers.

DDI connects drivers with more driving opportunities and manages onboarding, insurance, payment and other administrative functions.

The relationship between DDI, their clients, and drivers

For clients, DDI finds drivers then handles all the administrative details so clients and drivers can focus on the delivery work. DDI is the force behind the scenes.

For drivers, DDI handles payments and human resources administration. Day to day, drivers work with DDI clients to do deliveries. Drivers will occasionally check back in with DDI to manage their driver account.

DDI also offers DDI Thrive, a program that allows drivers to tap into a whole suite of services such as health care, dental, vision, discount perks, tuition discounts and financial well being products.

A good example of a DDI client is Spark, the Walmart delivery app. Delivery drivers sign up to deliver for Spark through DDI. After completing the application process, drivers use the Spark app to do Walmart deliveries. DDI then handles pay for Spark drivers.

DDI clients: The types of businesses that DDI helps

DDI partners with clients in many different industries. For drivers, that means that there can be delivery work opportunities in a number of fields. You can find on-demand work, pre-routed work, and other flexible work.

DDI has clients in industries including:

• Auto parts delivery
• Medical delivery
• Restaurant delivery
• Grocery delivery
• White glove delivery

Some of DDI clients include:

• Spark – Delivery app for major brands like Walmart and Home Depot
• Delivery.com
• NDS – National Driving Solutions

For Drivers: How to Drive for DDI, Driver Earnings, and More

How Much Do DDI Drivers Make?

DDI clients choose how they pay drivers, so there are some differences in the pay model for each company. But on the average, DDI drivers can expect to make around $10-$20/hour.

Most DDI clients pay drivers a per-delivery fee, and drivers keep any tips offered by customers. The pay models are similar to apps like DoorDash, and Uber Eats, where drivers also receive a delivery fee plus tips.

For clients that offer shift work, drivers are paid by the shift or by the hour.

Some clients may provide a sign-up bonus or other performance-related bonuses that can increase driver pay.

Other perks: Access to benefits and insurance

Through a partnership with iWorker Innovations, DDI Thrive connects drivers to optional benefits and insurance. Drivers can get discounted rates on medical, dental, vision, accident, and other types of insurance.

It can be difficult for 1099 contractors to figure out how to get access to insurance, so DDI Thrive is a valuable perk.

DDI also requires drivers to pay for occupational accident insurance, or provide their own coverage. For $6.99 per week, the DDI occupational accident insurance plan covers lost wages, medical expenses, and death benefits for covered injuries. It’s a protection that many other gig apps don’t offer.

DDI’s delivery fee model

If you asked an Uber Eats driver or an Instacart shopper how much they pay to Uber or Instacart, chances are they wouldn’t be able to give a clear answer. That’s because most gig apps make it difficult for drivers to figure out exactly how delivery fees work.

DDI offers a straightforward fee schedule that is more transparent than the fees taken by other on-demand apps. Generally speaking, DDI takes a flat fee from each delivery.

Below is an example of the current DDI fee schedule. Note that for some DDI clients, drivers and clients may negotiate a different fee model.

What Do DDI Drivers Do? A Work Overview

The day-to-day work that DDI drivers do depends on the client. Generally speaking, drivers travel around to pick up and drop off orders.

For most DDI clients, drivers find work orders in the client’s app. Drivers start the day by signing into the client’s app to view available delivery jobs.

For clients that offer shift work, drivers use the client’s app to sign up for shifts.

Most work for DDI clients is on-demand work like food delivery, auto parts delivery, or grocery delivery.

Drivers receive an order request and choose to either accept it or reject it. If they accept the order request, the next step is to pick up the items and deliver them to the customer. Any special instructions or training will be provided by the client.

Some work is pre-routed, meaning that a driver will receive several packages and deliver them along a route.

That’s similar to Amazon Flex, where Flex drivers sign up for shift blocks, pick up packages from warehouses, then deliver them along pre-planned routes.

DDI Application Process

You can apply to become a driver directly at DDI, or through client websites.

The application process is:

• Complete the online application
• Sign all required documents
• Wait for the results of the background check

After that, DDI will let you know if you have been accepted to drive.

The online applications ask for basic personal information and info about your vehicle. You’ll need your driver’s license number, a photo of your auto insurance card, your social security number (for the background check), and your banking info for direct deposits.

You can either provide your own motor vehicle record or choose to have DDI get the record for you. There is a charge if you choose to have DDI do the record check, typically around $15.

If there are any hang-ups during the application process, you can directly contact DDI. They have a phone number and an email address (listed below), which isn’t something that other delivery apps always offer.

How to Contact DDI

One nice thing about DDI compared to other delivery companies is that you can call and speak to a human when you need support.

You can call DDI at 888-334-9675 or email [email protected].

You can also contact DDI on social media: DDI on Facebook