30 Ways To Make Money with Your Car

Published on: July 17, 2024

Updated on: October 25, 2024

Lots of people out there are looking for ways to earn a bit of extra money and give themselves some financial freedom – but it can be challenging to find things that are worth the time and effort you put into them. However, side gigs with your car can be very lucrative if you choose ones that suit you.

Let’s take some time to understand the side gig options available that you can undertake if you’ve got a suitable vehicle and a bit of free time on your hands.

Key Takeaways

Side gigs utilizing your car, such as ride-sharing, food delivery, and package delivery, allow you to work on your own schedule and earn extra income. These options offer flexibility to fit around other life commitments, making them ideal for those seeking additional financial freedom.
Beyond traditional driving jobs, car owners can explore innovative ways to earn money, like wrapping their car with advertisements, renting it out when not in use, or providing specialized services such as mobile car washing and event transportation. These options enable you to maximize your car's earning potential without significant time commitments.

Blog Contents

Things To Know Before You Use Your Car for a Gig Job or Side Hustle

There are a few important things you should think about before you use your car to make money on the side – and one is that you’ll need to declare the money for tax purposes. You’ll also need to recognize that you’re taking risks (exactly what will depend on what you use the car for) and that you may need to inform your insurance company about your side gig to be fully covered.

There’s also the obvious wear-and-tear on your car and the fact that you’ll be using more gas than previously. All of these things should be considered before you start driving. If you think using your vehicle may be too risky to use, you can always consider making money without your car instead.

30 Ways to Make Money with Your Car

Here are 30 ways to make money with your car.

1. Ride-Sharing: Drive for Services like Uber and Lyft

Driving for services like Uber is a straightforward way to earn some extra cash, and can be done as much or as little as you like. That makes it easy to fit around other life commitments.

2. Food Delivery: Deliver Food for Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub

Similarly, delivering food for services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub can be an effective way of doing some extra work as and when you want to. You may find that evenings and lunchtimes are the biggest demand periods, so if you’ve got these free, you’re in luck.

3. Package Delivery: Deliver Packages for Amazon

Package delivery is another great, simple way to earn money by using your car. You can choose your times, and get paid just for dropping off mail at another person’s home!

4. Car Advertising: Wrap Your Car with Advertisements

If you want an approach that doesn’t really increase your time commitment but still lets you earn money, wrapping your car with adverts can work very well. You might already do a lot of driving, so why not maximize that potential with advertisement wraps that you get paid for? You can earn good money with this approach!

5. Rent Out Your Car: Rent Out Your Car When You’re Not Using It

Your car can also be rented out to various services when you’re not using it. If your vehicle doesn’t get a lot of use from day to day but you need to keep it for occasional use, this can be an excellent way to maximize its potential and make some cash. Turo is a peer-to-peer car-sharing service that lets you rent your car to anyone who might need it.

6. Mobile Car Wash: Offer Mobile Car Washing and Detailing

If you’re handy with detailing services or you enjoy the beautiful shine that comes with a good wash, you might want to use your vehicle to take these services on the road and mobilize them. You can earn some good cash this way.

7. Event Transportation: Provide Transportation for Weddings or Parties

Providing transport for weddings and parties is another good money spinner, especially if you’ve got a unique or desirable car that people would love to have drive them somewhere. This is ideal for those who enjoy socializing while on the job.

8. Airport Shuttle: Offer Airport Shuttle Services for Travelers

Travelers always need to get to and from airports, and if you live reasonably close to your local airport, this is another excellent way to make money.

9. Drive for Seniors: Provide Transportation Services for Seniors

Many people give up their cars when they get older, but they still need to get to and from appointments and go to the store. You can earn a bit of cash at the same time as making their lives easier if you’re happy to drive them around.

10. Tour Guide: Offer Guided Tours of Your City

If you live somewhere that tourists have an interest in seeing, a guided tour of your city or local area could be another great way to pick up some cash. Simply learn a few of the best spots and enjoy taking tourists around, pointing out all the best sites to them.

11. Moving Services: Help People Move with Your Car

Moving day can be stressful and expensive, and if you’re prepared to offer your assistance, you may be able to get a bit of extra cash. Just make sure you discuss liability and insurance beforehand, so you know who’s covered if something goes wrong.

12. Drive for a Carpool: Organize or Join a Carpool

Lots of people hate driving, so if you enjoy it, joining a carpool can be an excellent way to make some money. Carpools for commuting and school runs are important for many people, and if you become a part of one of these, you might enjoy some community spirit as well as additional funds.

13. Advertising Delivery: Deliver Flyers or Newspapers

If you’d rather avoid the social aspect and maintain flexibility, delivering advertising materials can be another excellent choice. Simply drop the flyers or materials in the mailboxes, and you may even manage to get some of your daily steps in at the same time – not bad.

14. Medical Transport: Provide Transportation Services

Taking people to and from their medical appointments is another viable option for earning cash on your own time. People who aren’t well enough to drive still need to travel, and you can be part of the solution.

15. Valet Parking: Offer Valet Parking

Plenty of people despise having to park, especially at an event or an evening out, where they just want to enjoy themselves. The answer is valets, and if you’ve got a knack for parking, this could be perfect for you.

16. Drive for a Limousine Service: Work for a Limousine Service

A limo service is a fun way to get involved with people’s special events while driving. There are many opportunities to drive for limo services out there, and you can earn cash while driving one of the fanciest cars around.

17. Errand Pooling: Rent Out Your Car for Errands

Another option is to rent your car to other individuals who might use it for errands or commuting. We recommend doing this through official channels so that you’re covered if something goes wrong.

18. Mobile Billboard: Drive Around as a Mobile Billboard for Local Businesses

Local businesses are always trying to attract more attention, and if you drive locally a lot, why not become a billboard for one of them? You could earn good money without having to do anything besides your normal driving!

19. Drive for a Car Service: Provide VIP Transportation

Car services are important in today’s world, especially for executives and VIPs, and you might want to try driving for one such service as another means of putting extra cash in your pocket.

20. Carpool Lane Access: Offer rides To Use Carpool Lanes Legally

Carpool lanes are desirable to use, but you’ve got to have at least 2 or 3 people in the vehicle to use them (depending on the lane). Lots of people therefore appreciate being able to ride with others to make use of these lanes – why not provide that service?

21. Car Photography: Rent Your Car Out as a Prop

If your car is interesting in any way, it might make an attractive prop for either photoshoots or movies, and you can make good money renting it out for either.

22. Delivery for Local Businesses: Partner with Local Businesses on Delivery

Local businesses often need products delivered, so this is another option if you enjoy driving around. You might even get product discounts if you’re lucky!

23. Outdoor Adventure Transport: Transport People to Hiking Trails or Ski Resorts

If you’ve got an outdoor adventure location nearby that attracts tourists, you might consider becoming a transport option for those heading there. Lots of people don’t want to drive to these places, and you can solve that for them by offering your services!

24. Event Transportation for Pets: Drive Pets to Appointments

Getting pets to events and appointments can be challenging for those who don’t drive. Public transport is tricky with a pet and many official taxi and ride services won’t let pets in the vehicle. You can therefore fill a gap in the market, and this is perfect for animal lovers.

25. Car Pool Karaoke: Karaoke-Equip Your Car or Van for Parties

If you enjoy a party, why not equip your car for an amazing karaoke night and then market yourself to those looking for fun in your area? This is a unique approach that could earn you some great money!

26. Car Wrap Removal: Remove Car Wraps for Advertisers

If you’re skilled in the art of car wrap removal, a mobile removal service could be an excellent option for making a little cash on the side.

27. Car Storage: Rent Out Space in Your Garage or Driveway

Although this one doesn’t directly use your car, it’s still related: if you’ve got a bit of extra space in your garage or on your driveway, that could prove valuable! Rent it out, and you’ll have some additional income without having to do anything yourself.

28. Car Maintenance: Offer Oil Changes or Tire Rotations

For those who are good with cars, offering basic maintenance services at a lower cost than a local mechanic could be a great way to pick up some extra cash in your spare time.

29. Car Safety Inspections: Offer Safety Inspection Services for Buyers or Sellers

If you’ve got an eye for a great vehicle, providing others with safety inspection services when they’re thinking of making a purchase is another related way you could earn some more money. Make sure you have the relevant skills before you start offering this service, though.

30. Film and TV Rentals: Rent Your Car for Film and TV Productions

If you own a unique or vintage car, film and TV productions might need it as a prop for scenes. Renting your car out for production can be a lucrative way to earn extra money. Just ensure your car is in good condition and discuss insurance and liability with the production company beforehand.

As you can see, you’ve got a plethora of choices when it comes to how to make money with your car. Even passive income options can make you some big bucks, and if you’ve got spare time, driving for Uber, DoorDash, or private services can work well.

There are so many approaches you can use, your car is just perfect for earning you a bit of extra cash and giving you more financial freedom than you currently enjoy!

What Do Car Owners Need To Make Money Driving?

In many cases, all you’ll need is your car and a valid driver’s license. You may not even need the license if you plan to rent your car to others. However, make sure you’re always operating legally and don’t take risks with your vehicle – it simply isn’t worth it!

Some of the options below will have minimum requirements, such as the number of doors, type of car, experience, etc. Always check out the terms and conditions before starting something.

Make money delivering packages

The Benefits of Making Extra Cash Using Your Car

Here are some of the initial benefits of using your car to make money.

Work Your Own Schedule

Most car-related jobs will allow you to work to your own schedule, making this a very appealing option for those who need flexibility. If you’ve got children, you can drive while they’re at school or with your partner, or if you’ve got a full-time job, you can make use of some of your off-hours.

Make Money in Your Spare Time

These jobs are excellent for people who work full-time but want to earn a bit of extra cash when they’re not at their jobs. They can usually be fitted in around other commitments, which makes them ideal.

Reduce Your Debt

This kind of job is an excellent way to supplement your income and reduce any debts you may be repaying quickly and effectively.

Learn New Skills

You might pick up a few new skills with these jobs, especially if you start offering basic maintenance services. Other skills could include learning about your local area, understanding how to apply decals, working with local businesses, and more.