What To Expect Once You Are Hired
When you work for a DSP, you can work full-time, usually 40 hours per week. Some of Amazonâs partners give you the option to work a four-day per week schedule at 10 hours a day, which means three day weekends for holiday fun. Part-time is also an option, but with full-time youâll receive full benefits. Many DSPs provide an opportunity for overtime and promotions, so you want to be sure you have your own route optimization to keep you safe and to make sure you stand out as an excellent new hire.Depending on where you work, delivery drivers have the option of using their own vehicle, which means paying for their own gas, insurance, and maintenance, or you can use the Amazon van, which DSPs lease from Amazon, and that means less wear and tear on your own sleigh.On a typical day you will start at the Amazon delivery station. You load the van with packages, and program your route into route optimization to tell you where to go. You deliver your allotted holiday packages tied up in bows, tell your reindeer to go âonâ and make it in time for your series⦠and cookies and milk for being on the good list.â
What Is Amazon Flex
is one of many the ecommerce giant offers.
Flex is a program that connects everyday drivers with opportunities to deliver packages on behalf of the e-commerce brand.
Independent contractors who are accepted into the program essentially help fill in the driver supply gaps when theres high demand and you can simply accept the offers that fit into your schedule.
If youve ever received an Amazon delivery from someone without a uniform or branded vehicle, youve already seen the program in action.
Amazon Flex delivery drivers can be found throughout the United States, helping fulfill many of the same duties as the companys part-time and full-time drivers.
Requirements For Becoming An Amazon Driver
, you dont need any prior experience to be a driver for Amazon or one of the many Amazon Delivery Service Partners, as long as youre at least 21 years old, have a valid drivers license in your state, and can lift packages weighing over 70 pounds. It definitely helps to be healthy and active, because it can be draining work!
Receiving a job offer relies more on how you do in the in-personinterview than whats on your resume. You have to prove through your interactionsand your answers that youre motivated, hard-working, and think on your feet. Hirersexpect good communication skills, time management, and a friendly attitudetoward customers and coworkers.
A good Amazon driver like any parcel delivery person is a safe, law-abiding driver who wont drive in ways that would get them into an accident or be ticketed. Theyre careful about their own safety and the safety of the packages .
You dont need to drive your own car if youre a full-time package deliverer. Youll drive an Amazon-branded or unmarked cargo van provided and maintained for you. And you dont need a commercial drivers license or any special driving permit to operate the van.
According to Glassdoor, the average annual base salary of an Amazon driver is around $27,000, but most hourly rates of job openings range from $15-$17/hour, so you could make over $30,000 in a year .
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There Have Been Multiple Times Where I’ve Had To Pee In A Plastic Water Bottle Because There Was No Bathroom Available
Many public restrooms are closed because of COVID-19, but most of the time I’m out in the mountains making deliveries and feel pressured to keep up with my route.;
My current route is fairly rural, and it would take me 15 minutes to get to the nearest restroom. It would take more than 40 minutes round-trip and put me far behind schedule, which would dock points from my score.;
What Does The Flex Background Check Look At
Amazon checks for felonies and other major criminal violations going back 7 years. Issues involving theft or violence will likely disqualify you. Amazon also checks your motor vehicle record check that looks for major driving violations or a large number of citations.
Background screening can take up to 10 days to complete. If its been longer than 10 days, contact Amazon Flex support.
Amazon Flex does not require extensive drivers license history
Amazon Flex does not specify a license history minimum, so you qualify to drive even if your license is less than one year old. Thats a major benefit if youre a newer driver because many rideshare and delivery companies require at least one year of US licensing experience.
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Straightaway Features Surpass Amazons Dinosaur Software
Savvy Amazon delivery drivers use Straightaway because it was designed by delivery drivers who know exactly how hard it can be to be both efficient and safe. Itâs features include seamless navigational integration and industry-leading route optimization. The basic app is free, and other low-cost personal plans are available. Straightaway makes a day in the life of an Amazon delivery driver as easy as decorating a tree:
- Adds stops with the snap of a photo: Itâs so easy, a turkey could figure it out. Simply take a picture of the address on your mobile device and Straightaway instantly maps your Amazon route onto your screen. Amazon drivers complain of needing good bathroom stops along their route. You can add a good bathroom stop with the click of your finger as well!
- Optimizes the fastest route in the quickest amount of time: As quick as Saint Nick, the best-in-class route optimization algorithm can organize up to 250 stops in the quickest order in secondsâall while accounting for traffic, road closures, construction, speed limits, and weather conditions in real-time.
- Safely navigates without switching apps: Turn-by-turn navigation is built right into Straightaway, keeping your attention on the road and not on switching app screens for delivery information, like the Amazon route-optimization software. You donât want to be toggling between apps when delivering. An injury can take you off your job for good.â
The Different Types Of Amazon Flex Jobs Available
Amazon Flex offers two main types of driver jobs to choose from across the United States.
These are offered in recruiting cities like New York City, the Greater Los Angeles area, San Francisco, St. Louis, Chicago, and many more.
Amazon Flex driver jobs move items from location to location, and Amazon Flex Warehouse jobs that sort, organize and set up routes.
The four types of outlets Amazon Flex drivers can take are:
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Benefits Of Applying For Amazon Flex
The biggest benefit to applying for Amazon Flex will be familiar if youve worked in other gig-based jobs.
Its already in the name: flexibility.
- This isnt an 8-5 job with a set schedule. Instead, it offers plenty of time off when you need it.
- You have the opportunity to work when you want and for as long as you want.
You can also make being an Amazon Flex delivery partner a part-time or full-time job if you want to put effort into it.
What’s The Status Of My Application
We follow federal requirements when we review resumes and only contact candidates we’d like to learn more about. Unfortunately, we’re not able to make personal contact with everyone who submits a resume. To check your status, log in to your application profile and review the roles for which youve applied.
Candidates for warehouse and Amazon Fulfillment Center positions can check the status of their applications here.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Flex
To conclude this guide, here are answers to some common questions about Amazon Flex
1. Do Amazon Flex drivers receive health insurance?
No, they do not. Since all Amazon Flex drivers are independent contractors, they do not receive health insurance, retirement accounts, or any other employee benefits. Amazon does provide insurance for drivers while theyre working, however .
2. Do I need a commercial vehicle to deliver for Amazon Flex?
No, you do not. A 4-door sedan, van, or pickup truck will work fine. Do note that if you use a pickup truck, Amazon Flex requires that it have an enclosed bed to protect packages from the elements.
3. What is the difference between Amazon Flex and Amazon Logistics?
Amazon Flex is a program through which independent contractors can sign up to make deliveries for Amazon using their own vehicles. Amazon Logistics is a program that allows you to start your own logistics business, or fleet, to make deliveries for Amazon.Applying for Amazon Logistics is a much more involved process and has more in common with opening a franchise than with a gig economy job. You can .
4. Does Amazon Flex provide insurance for drivers?
Yes, Amazon Flex provides liability coverage for drivers while they are making deliveries. This policy is called the Amazon Commercial Auto Insurance Policy, and it provides the following coverage:
- Auto liability coverage
- Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage
How Much Money Can You Make With Amazon Flex
This is an important topic, and well briefly cover the basics in the column below. If you want detailed information about this topic, check out the entire post we put together that goes into great detail on how much you can earn as an Amazon Flex driver.
According to Amazon Flex, drivers make between $18 and $25 per hour.
Amazon pays by the delivery block, so youll make a guaranteed amount for each 4-hour block you complete.
The base rate is $18, and it will never be lower. It is not uncommon to see $25 per hour rates during busy times, like when the weather is bad or during the holidays.
The rates can also go up to $25 when a block is more difficult or other drivers have had trouble completing similar blocks in a reasonable amount of time.
If you finish your shift faster than 4 hours, you will still make the same amount, so you could actually earn more than $25/hour if youre fast. On the flip side, it could take you longer to finish your block and you wont be compensated for your extra time.
It is important to remember that like most gig-economy jobs, Flex drivers are independent contractors. That means drivers are responsible for all expenses, including car insurance, car payments, gas, vehicle maintenance.
A general rule of thumb is that it costs workers about 54.5 cents per mile to operate your vehicle according to the IRS. Use this number to estimate your actual hourly revenue.
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The Most Challenging Thing About Working In The Warehouse Was Leadership And Management
In my experience, managers showed favoritism to some and overlooked others when it came to promotions. I applied for “ambassador” roles multiple times and never received a promotion or raise.;
Members of leadership also contradicted one another often. One manager would tell me to do a task a certain way, and another would tell me to do the opposite. The managers often disagreed on the right ways to train new hires and coach associates on simple tasks like processing items.;
How To Start Driving For Amazon Flex
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Most people choose to work for rideshare apps and delivery apps because of freedom and flexibility.; Do you love the flexibility of setting your own hours and being your own boss, but hate the idea of having passengers in your car?
Amazon Flex Delivery Driver Requirements
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What If I Dont Have A Formal Resume Or Cv To Enter Into The Form
It’s recommended to have a resume or CV. If you don’t have a resume, it is still okay to apply. Just be sure to fill in a brief description of your background, experience , educational achievements, and skills. This information is necessary to evaluate candidates. Applications without this information will not be considered.
If you are interested in a warehouse/associate position in an Amazon Fulfillment Center, you do not need to have a resume to apply. Learn more about the application process here.
I Used To Work In The Customer
My job was to process every return customers sent back to the company, make sure the items were not damaged, and determine whether the item could be resold.;
My warehouse was the biggest I’ve ever seen. I’d estimate that more than 1,000 people worked there throughout various departments.;
I worked the night shift, meaning from around 7:15 p.m. to 7 a.m. Before working for Amazon, I worked in security, so I was already used to the long late-night hours.;
Amazon warehouse workers are expected to “make rate” a productivity metric where we have to process a certain number of packages and items within an hour or risk dropping in rate, being written up, or fired. In my department, I was expected to process 40 to 60 returns in a single hour, which was stressful and at times seemed impossible.
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Where Is Amazon Flex Available
Amazon Flex operates in all major U.S. cities, and the service continues to expand. Having said that, not all cities offer the same Amazon services.
For instance, Prime Now is available in fewer markets than regular Amazon package deliveries. Therefore, the types of deliveries you make will vary based on the services that Amazon offers in your city
Here are just a few of the many markets where Amazon Flex exists:
Though Amazon Flex needs drivers in lots of cities, they dont need them all the time. The holiday season is the time of highest demand, and its when drivers can expect to make the most money and work the longest hours.
At other times, however, there will be no Amazon Flex jobs available in any city. This doesnt mean that all the Amazon Flex jobs have disappeared it just means that Amazon currently has enough drivers to make deliveries where they need them.
If you find this is the case for your city, you can always join the waitlist on the Amazon Flex application page to be notified when jobs become available.
So Whats A Day Like For Amazon Drivers
Delivering with Amazon looks a bit different than other giants in the delivery industry. First, not all Amazon drivers actually work for Amazon. Most work with distribution companies that are privately owned, but contracted to deliver Amazon packages. They rent vans from car rental companies such as Enterprise and pick up their delivery load for the day from an Amazon warehouse.
With the cargo that is picked up, couriers receive a manifest that doesnt look standard. For privacy, the list does not have any addresses printed on them. Instead, they have codes for zones and how many packages correspond to each zone. Drivers then use a Rabbit, the proprietary Amazon scanner tool, to scan the list of codes and plan the best way to complete the delivery route. The Rabbit is part GPS system and part inventory log.
Within the Rabbit, drivers sign into the Amazon Flex app which confirms the number of packages that need to be delivered that day. It plans out the itinerary for the whole day so couriers can easily check off what deliveries have been completed and track their own process. Theres no need to manually input any information, the scanner reads the information and directs the driver where to go in a straightforward manner.
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What To Expect After Applying For Amazon Flex
Once youve applied to become an Amazon Flex driver, you will need to wait to be approved or denied by the system.
The main time-consuming part of the approval process is the background check, which isnt automatic, and the length of time it takes can vary from person to person.
On average, background checks usually take between 2-5 business days, although sometimes, depending on the city, it can take up to 10 days to complete the application.
After completing the background check, the Flex app will notify you of the results, and the app will tell you whether your application is approved or denied.
If your application is denied, Amazon will usually give a reason why, such as:
- Insufficient documentation
- A failed background check
- A vehicle or smartphone that doesnt meet their requirements.
Make sure you review the background check if it fails, and any inaccurate information should be reported to a lawyer and removed from your record.
After termination, whether you requested it or Amazon initiated it, you must wait 12 months before reapplying to become an Amazon Flex delivery partner again.