Short answer: rideshare and delivery drivers do best with a small, fixed kit: a solid dash or vent phone mount for driving, a charging cable and car charger, a power bank, a flashlight for dark addresses, hand sanitizer and wipes, water and snacks, and a small bag for the walk to the door. Keep driving gear in the car and carry gear on you, so every stop takes seconds, not a search.
Key facts
- The phone is the job. A dead or loose phone costs trips, ratings and tips.
- Hands-free laws apply. Many states ban holding a phone while driving; mount it and set the route before you move.
- Night deliveries are mostly a lighting problem: house numbers, steps and dogs you can't see.
- Small habits add up: 30 seconds saved per stop is an hour over a long shift.
- Keep the car clean and the kit fixed so passengers see a tidy car and you never search.
The car kit (lives in the vehicle)
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Dash or vent phone mount | Navigation at eye level, hands on the wheel |
| Car charger and two cables | One for you, one for a passenger who asks |
| Power bank | Backup when the car charger fails |
| Insulated delivery bag | Food arrives hot or cold as ordered |
| Wipes, sanitizer, trash bags | Spills, sticky hands, a clean back seat |
| Water, snacks, phone mints | Long shifts, short breaks |
| Small first aid kit, tire gauge | Small problems that otherwise end a shift |
The walk-up kit (rides on you)
Apartment complexes, gated townhomes and big office parks mean walking. Keep what you need for the last 100 feet on your body, not in the car:
- Phone on the strap. A magnetic phone mount on a bag strap keeps the map and the delivery photo one move away, and the coiled tether stops a drop on concrete stairs. It's for walking, not driving: in the car, use a dash or vent mount.
- A flat light in the pocket. The Compact Flat Flashlight finds house numbers with the spot beam and lights steps with the flood; the side strip is soft enough not to blast a porch camera.
- A small bag for keys, cards and cash. A Modular Crossbody Bag holds keys, a building fob, a pen and receipts, and rides in front so you can hand over an order with both hands.
Keep the small stuff together
Cables, a spare charger head, a tire gauge, cash and a pen get lost under seats. A Compact Zip Organizer keeps them in one zip case in the door pocket or console. More on that in a vehicle setup that doesn't rattle and what an admin pouch is.
Shift habits that save time
- Start at 100 percent: phone, power bank and flashlight charged.
- Restock at the end of the shift, not the start of the next one.
- Same pocket, every time for keys, light and phone.
- Check the address before you park; zoom the map to the building.
- Trust your gut: if a drop-off feels wrong, contact support and leave.
Popular rideshare and delivery accessories come from brands like iOttie and Anker for mounts and chargers. Whatever you choose, the system matters more than the brand. For brightness, see how many lumens you need.
FAQ
What should a rideshare driver keep in the car?
A phone mount, car charger and cables, a power bank, wipes and sanitizer, trash bags, water and snacks, a small first aid kit and a tire gauge.
What do delivery drivers need at night?
A small flashlight to find house numbers and light steps, and a charged phone with the delivery app and map.
Can I use a strap phone mount while driving?
No. Use a dash or vent mount in the car and follow your state's hands-free laws. A strap mount is for walking to the door.
How do I keep my phone charged on a long shift?
Use a car charger while driving and carry a power bank for walk-ups and charger failures.
What bag is best for DoorDash or Uber Eats walk-ups?
An insulated bag for the food, plus a small crossbody for keys, fobs and your phone so both hands stay free.
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General information. Follow traffic laws, hands-free rules and your platform's policies. Brand names are trademarks of their owners; ICONTACTIC is not affiliated with them.