Working delivering for Amazon means driving for Amazon Flex or a delivery partner, with hourly pay that varies by role, region, and schedule.
If you have a car, steady driving habits, and you like staying on the move, you may have wondered how to work delivering for Amazon. The company leans on a network of app-based drivers and contracted delivery teams, so there are several ways to plug in depending on how much control you want over your schedule.
Two options handle most packages that land on doorsteps: Amazon Flex, where you deliver from your own car as an independent contractor, and delivery associate roles, where you drive an Amazon-branded van for a local Delivery Service Partner.
How To Work Delivering For Amazon: Quick Overview
Working delivering for Amazon usually means choosing between driving your own vehicle on short delivery blocks or working scheduled shifts as an employee driver. Both paths share the same core task: picking up packages from a station or store, following routes in an app, and scanning packages at each stop. The differences sit in pay structure, benefits, schedule control, and how much responsibility you take on.
| Aspect | Amazon Flex Driver | DSP Delivery Associate |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Type | Independent contractor using own vehicle | Employee of a local Delivery Service Partner |
| Vehicle | Four-door car, SUV, or similar you maintain | Amazon-branded van maintained by the DSP |
| Pay Structure | Flat pay per block, most drivers earn about $18–$25 per hour before expenses | Hourly pay, often starting around $20 in many markets |
| Schedule Control | You pick delivery blocks in the app | Manager sets shifts; you bid for or accept posted schedules |
| Benefits | No employer benefits; you handle your own taxes and insurance | Health and time-off benefits may be offered by the DSP |
| Upfront Costs | Gas, insurance, phone data, wear and tear on your vehicle | Minimal upfront costs; you mainly bring time and labor |
| Best Fit | Side money or flexible part-time driving | Steady hours and more predictable pay |
This split matters because the same “Amazon delivery driver” label describes different work lives. A Flex driver might run a three-hour block before another job, while a DSP associate might spend four long shifts each week in a delivery van.
Working Delivering For Amazon Jobs: Main Paths
Before you apply, it helps to understand how each type of Amazon delivery work operates day to day. The paths share similar customer expectations and safety rules, yet they feel different once you are on the road.
Amazon Flex: Using Your Own Vehicle
Amazon Flex turns your personal car into a delivery tool. After you pass the screening process and install the Flex app, you claim delivery blocks that match your schedule. Each block has an estimated time and payout that you see before you accept it. Official Flex information says most drivers earn in the range of $18 to $25 per hour, before costs like fuel and maintenance.
During a typical block, you drive to a designated pickup point, load packages that match your route, and follow turn-by-turn directions in the app. You scan each package at the vehicle and at the door and take photos where required. When the block ends and your packages are delivered, your responsibility ends too.
Delivery Service Partner Associate: Driving A Branded Van
The Delivery Service Partner model uses local companies that contract with Amazon to run last-mile routes. The DSP hires and trains delivery associates, handles schedules, and manages a fleet of Amazon-branded vans. Amazon notes that associates often earn at least $20 per hour at many stations and may have access to benefits such as health insurance and paid time off.
On a DSP shift, you report to a delivery station, inspect your van, load packages from a staging area, and head out with a set route. The handheld device or app guides you from stop to stop. Since you are an employee, you answer to a local manager, follow that company’s policies, and may have chances to move into lead driver or dispatch roles.
Requirements To Start Delivering For Amazon
Before any packages land in your trunk or van, you need to clear basic requirements. Amazon Flex lists a minimum age of 21, a valid driver’s license, access to a qualifying vehicle, and proof of insurance, along with the ability to pass a background check and motor vehicle report. Amazon delivery associate roles through DSPs call for similar screening, along with the ability to lift and carry packages throughout a shift.
Current details for age, license, and vehicle rules live on the official Amazon Flex driver requirements page and on the Amazon DSP driver pages, so always check those before you rely on third-party estimates.
Vehicle And Phone Setup
Amazon Flex delivery normally needs a four-door sedan, crossover, pickup, or similar vehicle in good working order. Larger vehicles may qualify for longer blocks that involve more packages. You also need a smartphone that runs the Flex app smoothly, with enough data and battery life to last through navigation, scanning, and photo delivery confirmations.
DSP delivery associates use company vans instead. You still need a license that matches local rules, yet the employer handles registration, branding, and mechanical upkeep. Your own phone might stay in your pocket while you rely on a dedicated device in the van, depending on how the local DSP sets up its tools.
Background Checks And Driving History
Amazon uses screening to protect customers, drivers, and the delivery network. As a Flex driver applicant, you consent to a background check that looks at criminal history and driving records. Certain recent offenses can disqualify you, especially those involving violence, theft, or serious driving violations.
DSPs use a similar process. Since you would be an employee, the partner company reviews your record, may verify work history, and confirms that you can meet legal and insurance standards.
Physical Demands And Safety Expectations
Amazon delivery work keeps you on your feet. Packages range from padded envelopes to heavier boxes, and routes include stairs, long driveways, and apartment complexes. Job listings commonly mention the need to lift 50 pounds or more with or without help, walk in different weather, and stay focused through repetitive tasks.
Safety expectations include steady driving, careful backing, seat belt use, and strict no-texting rules while on the move. Training materials from Amazon and DSPs walk through safe package handling, dog awareness, and how to handle issues such as blocked entrances or unsafe conditions at a stop.
What A Typical Day Delivering For Amazon Looks Like
With Amazon Flex, a normal day starts when you open the app and scan for available blocks. You compare the time window, distance from home, and listed payout. Once you tap to accept, the block locks to your account. On block day, you drive to the pickup location, follow signs to the Flex area, scan a code, and receive packages assigned to your route.
The app guides you through loading, showing where each package sits inside the vehicle. Once you leave the station, the navigation view points you to the first stop. At each stop, you scan the label, drop the package where instructions say, snap a photo if the app prompts you, and swipe to confirm delivery.
A DSP driver’s day feels similar on the road, yet the shift has more structure. You clock in, join a brief meeting, inspect your van, then start loading from a set area on the floor. Route stops often number well over a hundred on busier days.
Checklist Before You Start Working Delivering For Amazon
Once you have a clear picture of the job, it helps to walk through a simple checklist. Think of it as a filter to see whether Amazon Flex driving or a DSP role matches your current situation.
| Step | Flex Driver | DSP Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm basic eligibility | Age 21+, license, insurance, clean record | License, driving record, hiring area open |
| Check vehicle access | Qualifying car you can spare for blocks | Company van supplied by employer |
| Review pay expectations | Block pay with out-of-pocket expenses | Hourly pay with taxes withheld |
| Think about schedule | Flexible blocks that can change each week | Fixed shifts, set days off, overtime rules |
| Gather documents | License, insurance, banking for deposits | License, ID documents, bank information |
| Apply online | Through the Flex app and website | Through local DSP job postings |
| Plan the first week | Start with lighter blocks to learn the app | Ask questions in training and ride-alongs |
Use this list to compare how each path lines up with your money goals, risk comfort level, and personal schedule.
Pros And Trade-Offs Of Delivering For Amazon
No delivery job fits every driver, so it helps to be honest about trade-offs. Amazon Flex often appeals to people who want side income and control. You can decline blocks that do not fit your day, pause driving for a while, or stack blocks during busy seasons. The flip side: you pay for gas and maintenance, and slow days can cut into average earnings.
DSP delivery can bring steadier checks, training, set days off, and a chance to move up. Since you drive company vehicles, you skip the worry of burning through your own tires and brakes. At the same time, you answer to supervisors, may work weekends or holidays, and might face performance targets for stops per hour or delivery accuracy.
How To Decide Whether Delivering For Amazon Fits You
At this point, you have the basics of how to work delivering for Amazon, along with the main routes into the system. The last step is matching those routes with your goals. Start by asking how much flexibility you need, how comfortable you feel tracking your own expenses, and how your body feels about long days of driving and walking.
If you want a side gig and already drive often, trying a few Flex blocks can answer many questions quickly. If you need full-time income, health insurance, and a predictable weekly rhythm, scanning DSP job postings in your area might make more sense. Those listings often appear on the official Amazon Delivery Service Partner program pages and on local job boards.
Spend some time reading current driver stories in your city, check pay estimates from Amazon’s own materials, and think carefully about your car or your willingness to drive a large van. With that prep in place, you can choose the version of Amazon delivery work that fits your life and start the process when you are ready.