Spark Driver: Requirements, Income & Signup Tutorial

Are you wondering what it takes to get a Spark job as a driver?

You might have an interest in driving for Walmart and have questions about whether it’s a legitimate opportunity or whether you can make decent money on its driver app.

There are many reasons why becoming a Spark driver could become the perfect gig for anyone looking for flexible hours and great pay.

In this article, you’ll learn all about the requirements for qualifying as a driver, how much drivers can expect to make per hour, and how easy it is to sign up as a driver.

What is Spark?

Spark is a transportation and logistics company that connects customers in need of Walmart deliveries.

Customers place orders on the Spark app, which are then routed to the nearest Walmart delivery driver.

Once the order is ready, the driver picks it up and delivers it to the customer’s door.

The types of deliveries that Spark offers include the following.

Food delivery, which entails picking up food orders from within Walmart and delivering them directly to customers’ doors.

Grocery delivery, where drivers pick up groceries from Walmart and deliver them to a customer or hand them off for curbside deliveries.

What Sets Spark Apart from Other Delivery Apps?

The Spark driver app is unique in that it offers more than simply food and grocery delivery items.

Most other food delivery apps only offer food or grocery delivery.

Some apps will deliver both food and grocery items to you.

These would include apps such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub.

However, Spark also offers general merchandise delivery from Walmart stores.

It’s an option that lets customers order items such as clothes, electronics, and home goods for home delivery.

Of course, this means you may need to carry heavier items than you’re used to carrying if you drive for any of the other food delivery apps.

Spark sets itself apart from the Amazon Flex app, as well.

With Amazon, you’re never sure where you’re going to deliver packages.

Spark lets you decide your delivery area, giving you more flexibility and helping you avoid getting pulled 30 or 40 minutes away from where you live.

The Walmart Spark Partnership Explained in Detail

Walmart started using the Spark delivery app in September 2018.

The partnership between the two companies allows Walmart customers to have their groceries delivered directly to their door in as little as two hours.

As a Spark driver, you will pick up orders from local Walmart stores and deliver them to the customer’s door.

The partnership includes Delivery Drivers, Inc (DDI).

DDI is Spark’s administrator of driver management and performs the following duties.

• Takes care of all driver recruitment, screening, and training
• Manages the Spark driver app
• Handles payments to Spark drivers
• Provides group discounts for drivers
• Runs the Contractor Entrepreneurial Program, which aids drivers looking to start their own businesses

Types of Spark Driver Deliveries

As a Spark driver, you can make four types of deliveries for your customers.

Curbside Orders

Customers pick up curbside orders inside the Walmart parking lot.

You’ll use the designated loading area to meet your customer and hand off their order to them.

You don’t need to drive to the customer’s home in this case.

Simply put their order together inside the Walmart store.

Express Deliveries

Customers pick up express deliveries inside their local Walmart store.

Spark promises to deliver 95% of these orders in under an hour, though it can take as little as 15-25 minutes for a driver to complete this delivery type.

Online Orders

Online orders are the most common type of delivery.

Customers place their order on the website at Walmart.com.

You then go into the store to pick up the order and deliver it to each customer’s door.

You can drop these orders at their door without making contact with the customer.

Some Spark drivers don’t like these types of orders because the customer can’t provide a tip when using this ordering option.

Shopping and Delivery Orders

You’ll discover that this is the most time-consuming type of delivery.

You’ll go into the Walmart store to find each item and then deliver them to the customer.

In this instance, you are acting as a personal shopper for the customer.

How Much do Spark Drivers Make?

You’re probably wondering how much you can expect to earn as a Spark delivery driver.

Let’s break it down by how much you can expect to earn per delivery order and per hour.

How Much Does a Spark Driver Make per Delivery?

On average, you can make anywhere from $13 to $30 per delivery, depending upon the type of order.

As an independent contractor for Spark, you’re paid a base rate with each order that’s completed on time and in full.

The rates are as follows:

• Curbside Order – Base Rate + Tips = Total Payout
• Express Delivery – Base Rate + Tips = Total Payout
• Online Orders – Base Rate Only = Total Payout
• Shopping & Delivery Orders – No Per Hour Guarantee or Earning Cap

Except for Walmart.com online orders, Spark Drivers also receive tips when they complete deliveries correctly and efficiently.

You’ll discover customers who tip usually leave a gratuity of $5-20.

How Much Does a Spark Driver Make Per Hour?

Since the types of orders vary in terms of time commitment, it’s difficult to give an estimate for hourly earnings.

However, you can expect to earn at least $14 per hour as a Spark driver.

The best way to maximize your income is to accept orders quickly.

Move through the store as efficiently as possible and don’t allow unavailable items to derail you for too long.

Working quickly will allow you enough time to complete all the orders promptly so you can finish more deliveries per shift.

Promotions for Spark Drivers

You can qualify for four different types of promotions when driving for Spark.

1. Lump-Sum Incentives

This promotion offers a one-time bonus payment for completing a designated number of deliveries.

For example, you might earn an extra $50 for completing eight trips.

2. Tiered Incentives

Using this type of bonus incentive, Spark pays you more money by offering a series of lump-sum incentives.

For example, you might earn $50 for reaching six deliveries, and another $100 if you reach 12 more.

3. Guaranteed Payment Amount Incentives

Through its guaranteed incentive program, Spark helps make sure you earn a certain guaranteed minimum amount of money.

If the guaranteed minimum amount offered is $300, and you only earn $275, then Spark will pay you the remaining $25.

4. Per-Trip Incentives

You’ll earn a certain amount of money for completing one trip.

For instance, you might see an offer inside the Spark app to earn an additional $4 for every trip you complete after 3 PM.

How to Become a Spark Driver

Are you ready to become a Spark driver so you can start earning extra money by putting your vehicle into use?

Let’s discuss what you need to do to qualify as a driver through the Spark program.

Spark Requirements

Unlike other driver app opportunities, such as Amazon Flexs requirements or Uber driver requirements, Walmart doesn’t include as many requirements as you work to get accepted on the Spark driver platform.

Spark Driver Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a valid driver’s license and insurance
• Pass a criminal background check
• Own an iPhone or Android smartphone
• Have the ability to pick up at least 50 pounds of items

Spark Vehicle Requirements

Spark lets you use any type of vehicle to drive for the delivery app.

You’ll need to register your car with DDI so that your orders get matched with the size of the vehicle.

As well, it helps both customers and Walmart associates recognize you when you show up for deliveries.

If you need to change the vehicle you want to use for Spark deliveries, simply notify DDI so it can change it within the app.

Does Spark Have a Referral Program for Drivers?

Yes, Spark does offer a referral program.

Referrals into the driver program result in offers that can differ depending on the area you live in.

Expect to earn anywhere between $200 to $300 for referring a friend to become an independent contractor with Spark and Walmart.

The new driver can receive extra pay of up to $150 after delivering their first four trips.

This is on-par with the promotions offered by other delivery apps, such as DoorDash referrals or Instacart referrals.

Signup Process

Here is the information you need when you want to know how to sign up as a Spark driver.

Start by visiting this page to see all the areas that accept drivers for the Spark app.

If you find that your area accepts drivers, your next step is to download the Spark driver app, which is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Once you have installed the app, open it and tap “Sign Up.”

You will need to enter personal information such as your name, email address, and password.

Next, provide your driver’s license number and insurance policy information.

You’ll also need to consent to a criminal background check.

The last step is to input your vehicle registration information.

It’s OK if you don’t have a car yet or are using a rental car for deliveries.

You can still sign up as a driver and then input your vehicle at a later date.

Once you’re done registering, expect to wait about a week to hear back about the background check results.

DDI may inform you that Walmart doesn’t need drivers in your local Spark driver community at the time you sign up.

If this happens, you’ll simply need to wait until the area opens up new driver slots.

After you’ve signed up, simply open the app and hit “Go Online.”

You’ll see a list of available customer requests matched with your vehicle size based on information stored within DDI’s technology platform.

Once one of these trips becomes available for pickup or delivery, just take it.

You’ll need to act fast before someone else claims the order through the Spark app.

If this happens, simply scroll through and find the next order that looks attractive to you.  

You’ll notice that Spark uses a first-come, first-serve, and a round-robin approach when it shows orders on the app.

First-come, first-serve orders are the ones you need to grab before another driver does.

Round-robin orders are only sent to you.

The app gives you a few minutes to accept them before offering them to another driver.

Is the Walmart Spark Driver Job Legit?

Yes, the Spark driver job is legit.

You are an independent contractor for DDI, which partners with Walmart to provide same-day delivery service.

Working in this manner means you can choose the hours that work best for you and make your own schedule.

You’ll work as much or little as you want.

Walmart will expect you to make a certain number of trips each day depending on what area you’re assigned within Spark’s technology platform.

Most drivers average between five and eight daily stops when they first get started with the delivery app service.

The amount of money that any driver can earn depends upon several factors, including the total distance driven (calculated by miles), the size of vehicle used for pickup and delivery, and how often orders become available during their shift time frame.

Need Help? How to Contact Spark for Help

If you experience any problems or have questions while working as a driver, contact Spark driver customer service by email at SparkDr[email protected] or by phone at 877-SparkDriver (877-727-57537).

You can also visit the Help Center on the Spark driver app.

There you will find FAQs and other helpful information that should answer most of your questions.

Wrapping Up

Working as a Spark driver is an excellent way to make some extra money on your own schedule.

The app is easy to use and you can choose the hours that work best for you.

Your next step is to put in your Spark application, pick delivery blocks that fit you, and get started making additional income with your new gig economy job.