You can become an Amazon delivery driver by meeting the age and license requirements, clearing a background check, and applying through either Amazon Flex or an independent Delivery Service Partner.
Working behind that familiar blue smile looks straightforward, yet a few details can make or break your application. This guide walks through every stage, from ticking the basic boxes to earning more money per route and staying safe on the road.
Two Main Paths to the Job: Flex or Delivery Service Partner
A quick search shows two ways to get behind the wheel for Amazon. They share the same core goal, yet the day‑to‑day experience feels quite different.
Amazon Flex is an app based gig program. Sign up, choose delivery blocks ranging from two to six hours, and use your own car. It suits anyone who wants ultimate schedule control, much like driving for rideshare apps. Payouts arrive twice a week through direct deposit, and you cover fuel, maintenance, and insurance.
Delivery Service Partners, or DSPs, are small businesses that contract exclusively with Amazon. A DSP hires you as a regular employee, provides a branded van, pays hourly wages, and often includes health coverage, paid time off, and a 401k. You work fixed shifts, typically four to five days per week, ten hours per shift, loading at a local Amazon station before heading out.
For context, about 2750 DSPs were active worldwide in 2023, employing more than 330000 drivers according to Amazon’s own newsroom updates. Flex numbers are harder to pin down, yet labor analysts at Gridwise estimate over 170000 US drivers opened the app at least once a month during 2023.
Quick comparison of the two options
| Feature | Amazon Flex | Delivery Service Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle provided | No | Yes |
| Schedule control | High | Moderate |
| Typical pay | 18 to 25 USD per hour (after expenses vary) | 18 to 21 USD per hour plus benefits |
| Employment status | Independent contractor | Employee |
| Minimum age | 21 years | 21 years (often 18 for non Federal holidays but varies) |
| Background check | Required | Required |
Basic Requirements and Eligibility
Amazon keeps the entry bar low, but ignoring a single rule can delay or cancel your application.
- Age at least 21 for both paths, mainly for commercial insurance reasons.
- A valid driver license in the state where you plan to deliver. No commercial class needed.
- Clean motor vehicle record. Most DSPs accept three or fewer minor violations in the past three years, while Flex automatically denies drivers with serious infractions such as reckless driving or DUI.
- Able to lift packages up to 50 pounds without help. Many shifts involve eighty or more stops, so stamina matters more than gym numbers.
- Smartphone with Android 6.0 or iOS 13 and above for the Flex app. DSP drivers receive a handheld scanner instead.
A background check is handled by Accurate Background for Flex and by a third party chosen by each DSP. Expect identity verification, Social Security trace, county level criminal history, and national sex offender registry search. Results usually arrive within three to seven business days.
Step by Step Application Process
The signup workflow feels slightly different depending on the path you pick, yet both funnel you through an online portal before any keys drop into your hand.
Amazon Flex
The Flex website prompts you to download the app. After entering personal details and driver license information, you watch a series of short training videos covering safe driving, package handling, and customer service. An email with background check consent follows. Once cleared, open the app, select available delivery blocks, and agree to the service terms. The whole process can finish in one week if your market has open routes.
Delivery Service Partner
DSPs advertise on Indeed, LinkedIn, local job boards, and sometimes even on banners outside the Amazon delivery station. When you apply, you go through:
- Online application describing your driving experience and shift availability
- Phone or video interview focused on situational judgment and reliability
- Background and drug screening
- A one day classroom style orientation at the delivery station
- Ride along training of one to two days with an experienced driver
Hiring managers say the entire pipeline averages ten to fourteen days from click to first route, shorter than many warehouse roles in the same pay range.
Training and Life on the Route
Training looks simple in videos yet feels intense on day one. Amazon calls it “day in a life” rather than formal schooling, emphasizing hands on practice.
The Flex app guides you through pickups, drop offs, and photo confirmations. Tutorials cover scanning each package, following in app navigation, and reporting issues. You are on your own vehicle, so practice loading techniques at home to avoid hunting for packages later.
DSP programs add a structured road test, van familiarization, and pre trip inspection. During your first week, an ambassador rides along, showing you:
- Best order to load packages known as “sort to route”
- Safe backing and parking around tight suburban drives
- Using the Mentor safety app that tracks harsh braking and phone handling
- Customer service basics for front door interactions and obligatory photo proof
Once alone, you pick up between 170 and 250 packages per shift, split across roughly 20 to 25 miles of travel. Morning loadout lasts 20 to 30 minutes. Route building software aims to finish within eight and a half hours, giving time for gas and restroom stops.
Pay, Benefits, and Hidden Costs
Money questions decide whether you swipe that “Accept Block” button. Transparent numbers help avoid surprises on payday.
According to Glassdoor self reported data in 2024, US Flex drivers average 20.50 USD per scheduled hour before gas and maintenance. Urban areas like Los Angeles or Chicago pay up to 26 USD while smaller metros sit at 18 USD. Drivers shoulder fuel plus wear and tear which the IRS currently values at 67 cents per mile. A four hour, 45 mile block could cost roughly 30 USD in deductible expenses, so net pay might land closer to 15 to 18 USD per hour.
DSP wages range from 18 to 21 USD per hour. Overtime kicks in after 40 hours, and some partners offer a weekly attendance bonus around 50 USD. Benefit packages vary, yet Amazon requests that DSPs provide at minimum:
- Paid time off after 90 days
- Health insurance subsidy for full timers
- Access to a 401k with partial match
A 2022 internal Amazon logistics newsletter shared that more than 90 percent of DSP drivers choose full time status to access those benefits.
Cost snapshot: Flex vs DSP
| Category | Flex driver out of pocket | DSP employee cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | Full responsibility | Included |
| Vehicle upkeep | Full responsibility | Included |
| Smartphone data | Full | Partial stipend |
| Health premium | Self pay | Shared with employer |
| Time off | Unpaid unless self saved | Paid vacation |
Tips for Succeeding and Growing
Pay and perks are only part of the story. Thriving on the road means mastering time, safety, and customer rapport.
Choose delivery blocks that suit traffic patterns. For Flex, midmorning to early afternoon often avoids rush hour and secures prime parking. Track miles with an app like Everlance to automate deductions for tax season.
Load from the floor to your head based on stop order. Seasoned DSP drivers swear by left to right loading to mirror route direction.
Stay hydrated and pack protein snacks. A 2019 study by the University of Utah found that mild dehydration can reduce driving focus by up to 12 percent, roughly equivalent to a blood alcohol content of 0.05 according to comparative brain imaging.
Set personal safety benchmarks:
- Keep doors locked when parked
- Wear a reflective vest in low light
- Use reverse cameras and mirrors every single time you back up
Looking to climb beyond the driver seat? DSPs often promote high performers to Lead Driver within six months. Leads coach new hires and earn one to three dollars extra per hour. Some even transition to dispatch roles or open their own DSP after meeting Amazon’s financial criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Amazon Flex background check take?
Most drivers receive results within three to seven business days, though high demand weeks can stretch to ten.
Can I deliver for Flex with a two door car?
Yes, as long as the vehicle has enough enclosed space for packages. Many drivers successfully use compact hatchbacks.
Do DSP drivers need commercial insurance?
No. The partner company carries the required policy. You just need a valid personal license.
Is weekend work mandatory with DSPs?
Most partners schedule at least one weekend day because customer demand peaks then. Flex offers full freedom to decline weekend blocks.
How many packages fit in a Flex sedan?
Average four hour blocks carry 30 to 50 packages. A midsize trunk and back seat usually handle that volume without issue.
Does Amazon pay for gas?
Amazon reimburses DSP companies, not Flex contractors. Flex drivers cover gas and offset it through their hourly rate.
What happens if a package is missing?
Report the issue in the app, return remaining items to the station, and follow instructions from support. Missing scans rarely penalize you if reported promptly.
Conclusion
Becoming an Amazon delivery driver is doable for anyone with a clean license, solid work ethic, and a bit of smartphone savvy. Try Flex if flexibility tops your list or join a DSP for steady hours and benefits. Share this guide with anyone eyeing that blue smile on their next paycheck, and drop your own road stories in the comments.
