There are numerous ways to make passive income these days, and your car is another way you can earn extra money. With that said, there are a few things to consider before you get started. For example, if you are an independent contractor using your car to earn money, you are responsible for paying your taxes. If you happen to earn over $400 in a year, you will be subjected to self-employment tax.

You also need to factor in that all your car-related expenses would be from your own pocket. These include vehicle repair, fuel costs and maintenance. Find out how much your realistic income is going to be because many times things are not as glamorous as it seems. Side hustles may include increasing mileage on your car, which can also result in wear and tear. The value of your car is also likely to depreciate over time.

That being said, there are many ways you can make substantial money using your car. Below are listed some of the most popular ways to do so.

Become a ridesharing app driver

You can become a driver for a ridesharing app. You need to drive people from one point to another and you earn most of the proceeds from the app. Based on this, you do need to pass criminal background checks, and driving record tests, as well as meet the criteria for age and the quality standards. In addition, you need to pay most vehicular expenses such as insurance, gas, repairs, and maintenance.

If you want to be profitable in this venture, it is best to operate during peak hours rather than a 9 to 5 schedule. For example, weekday rush hours and bar closing times over weekends are the best times to operate. Many drivers earn as much as $25 per hour. There are several ridesharing apps available such as Uber, Lyft, Wingz, as well as local alternatives in your area.

Operate as a food delivery person

There are many apps these days that enable doorstep food delivery. These include apps such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, and Grubhub. The modus of operation is similar to a ridesharing app. But the difference is here there are no passengers – you just need to deliver the food. Typically, the peak hours here are during lunch and dinner.

If you already have a 9 to 5 job, then dinner time may work best for this side job. With that said, keep in mind you will have to wait for the food prep staff to prepare the meal before you can deliver it. This process may not always be smooth sailing. Try to register with several food delivery apps, so that you have multiple sources of income which can help you cope with these inflationary times.

Deliver other types of goods

You can also deliver other goods such as groceries, as is the case with the Instacart app. You will be known as a full-service shopper, where you receive the customer’s order on your app, visit the grocery store, assemble the order, and then deliver it to the customer’s doorstep. Shipt is another app that delivers not just groceries but also household goods and pet supplies. Their membership model encourages customers to order frequently. That means, you will have a steady order supply to earn money from.

Amazon Flex is another option where you can earn as much as $25 per hour, and get to deliver the goods in your own time. You can distribute your time across multiple apps so that your earning potential is higher which can help you deal with these gas prices that are superhigh and hurting so many people (EVs will not be practical for another 10 years).

Advertising on your car

If you own a new car and usually do longer commutes, wrapping your car in removable advertising decals is a great way to earn money from advertising. The advantage is that you don’t need to put in extra miles on your car from what you normally drive. Stemming from this, you do need to meet the advertiser’s requirements on the number of miles driven.

Rent your car

Another excellent money earner is to rent your car, especially if you don’t use it as often. Give it for rent on a short-term basis to locals who don’t have a car and to tourists who don’t want traditional rentals.

Help others move

If your car has a sizable backseat and trunk, then you can use this space to help other people move. You can use the car to deliver furniture if space allows. Otherwise, you can also become a DIY mover and advertise your services on social media.