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So, you are considering being an Amazon Fresh delivery driver?
The gig economy is growing by leaps and bounds, and Amazon is one of the leading companies in this space. It stands to reason that becoming an Amazon Fresh delivery driver would be a great way to earn some extra money.
In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about the job, including what it’s like to work for Amazon Fresh, the pay and benefits, and how to apply. We will also answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the job.
So if you’re thinking about making a career change, supplementing your income, or just looking for a flexible job that can work around your schedule, read on.
Table of Contents
What Is Amazon Fresh Delivery?
For those who aren’t familiar, Amazon Fresh is a grocery delivery service that allows Prime members to have fresh groceries delivered right to their doorsteps in select areas across the United States. Customers can order groceries online or through the Amazon app and have them delivered within a few hours.
How Does it Work?
Amazon Fresh Delivery drivers are responsible for picking up orders from local Amazon Fresh warehouses and delivering them to customers’ homes. Drivers can work part-time or full-time, using their own vehicles to make deliveries.
When an order is placed, a driver is assigned to the delivery and given a list of items to pick up from the warehouse. Drivers then use a GPS system to navigate to the customer’s home and deliver the groceries.
How to become an Amazon Fresh Driver
There’s a bit of confusion about becoming an Amazon Fresh Driver because Amazon Fresh is just one of the services offered through Amazon Flex.
So essentially, you become an Amazon Flex delivery driver, and then you can opt-in to make Amazon Fresh deliveries when they are available in your area.
As the name suggests, becoming an Amazon Flex driver gives you the flexibility to also deliver other Amazon packages. The good news is that the application process is the same, whether you just want to deliver Amazon Fresh orders or you want to do a mix of everything.
Sign Up Via the Amazon Flex App
Head over to the Amazon Flex website and find out if they are hiring in your area. You can always join the waiting list if there are no positions currently open.
Signing up to become an Amazon Flex driver is easy and can be done via the Amazon Flex app. First, download the Amazon Flex app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Once the app is installed, open it and sign in with your Amazon account information. Next, Amazon will ask you to enter some basic information about yourself and your vehicle.
Amazon Fresh Driver Requirements
First of all, you’ll need to reside in a city where Amazon Flex operates. Currently, Amazon Flex is available in fifty US cities.
To become a Flex driver:
- You must be 21 years old or over
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Be prepared to undertake a background check
- Have a social security number
Amazon Fresh drivers will also need an Android device or iPhone to use the Amazon Flex driver app. For the Amazon Flex app to work, you’ll need iOS 11 or later or at least an Android 6.0. Your smartphone must have GPS and a flash camera.
Amazon Fresh Vehicle Requirements
Amazon Fresh Drives will require the use of a four-door mid-sized sedan or a bigger vehicle, for example, a truck with a covered bed, SUV, or van. Smaller cars and trucks with open beds are unsuitable. Motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and motorized scooters are also ineligible.
Also:
- Have a valid auto insurance policy with your name on it.
- Have a valid license plate.
You don’t need to own a car to drive for Amazon; you can rent one through Hyrecar for grocery delivery or other gig economy driving jobs.
Other Considerations
What we’ve discussed above is what Amazon requires you to have before becoming a driver. However, there are a few other things you should think about before making the decision to drive for Amazon Flex.
Driving skills – Amazon Fresh delivery drivers need to have excellent driving skills. This gig is not for everyone, as you’ll be dealing with tight schedules, traffic, and, in some cases, bad weather.
People skills – You’ll also need to be a people person to succeed as an Amazon Flex driver.
Remember, you’re the face of Amazon, and your customer interactions will reflect on the company.
Physical fitness – Amazon Flex drivers need to be physically fit as the job requires a lot of walking and lifting heavy boxes.
Time management – One of the most essential skills an Amazon Flex driver needs is good time management. Drivers need to be able to plan their routes efficiently and make deliveries on time.
How Much do Amazon Fresh Drivers Make?
Amazon Fresh drivers typically make somewhere between $18 to $25 per hour. Of course, pay will vary depending on several factors, including the driver’s experience level, what tips they get, and the city in which they’re driving.
On the whole, Amazon Fresh drivers earn a good wage when compared to some other driving gigs.
How to Make Amazon Fresh Deliveries and Get Paid
Once you’ve received your acceptance, it’s time to get on the road and start making some cash!
Schedule Your Delivery Blocks
The first step is to log into the Amazon Flex app and schedule your delivery blocks. The driver app will show you the available blocks, and you can select the ones that work best for you. Amazon Fresh driver blocks are usually 2-4 hours long, and you can do multiple blocks in a day if you’d like.
The app will show you how much you can expect to earn and an estimated time of how long it should take you to complete your block.
You’ll get a confirmation message for the blocks you have claimed, and you’ll see your confirmed blocks in your calendar as orange dots.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Before heading out on your first delivery, take a few minutes to prepare your vehicle. Amazon Flex drivers use their own cars, so you’ll need to ensure that yours is up to the task.
Before heading out on your route, do a quick check of your vehicle. Make sure you have enough gas, the tires are properly inflated, and everything is in good working order.
You’ll want to ensure that your vehicle is comfortable to drive and has enough space to hold all of your Amazon Fresh items.
If your car is filled up with junk and doesn’t have a lot of space, you may want to consider getting rid of some things before starting your deliveries.
Arrive at Your Pick-up Location (Early)
Once you’ve scheduled your delivery block, make sure to arrive at the pick-up location early. This will give you time to check in with the Amazon Flex representative and grab your Fresh items. They’ll usually be waiting for you in a designated area, such as a loading dock.
Making the Delivery
When you arrive at the customer’s address, it’s time to make the delivery. The Flex app will give you specific instructions on if the Fresh order is a doorstep or unattended delivery.
For doorstep deliveries, just ring the doorbell and wait for the customer to answer.
For unattended deliveries, you’ll need to find a safe place to leave the order. The app will give you specific instructions on where to leave the order depending on the customer’s preference. Once you’ve found a safe spot, just mark the order as delivered in the app.
Getting Paid
After you finish making all your deliveries, it’s time to get paid! Amazon Flex pays its drivers twice a week via direct deposit (Tuesday and Friday) straight to your bank account. You can also track your earnings in the app. Remember, you’ll also receive tips from customers.
Benefits of Being an Amazon Fresh Delivery Driver
You’ll get regular tips – While drivers who deliver Amazon prime packages might receive tips from time to time, it’s not considered the norm. However, grocery delivery drivers can expect customer tips in most cases.
Be your own boss – As with other gig economy driving jobs, you get to set your own hours and deliver orders at a time that suits you. Pun intended, you’ll be in the driving seat when it comes to your work schedule.
Can work around your 9-5 job – As most customers are working during the day, you’ll have the opportunity to work your Amazon Fresh delivery job around your normal 9-5 as most orders tend to take place before and after working hours.
A chance to get active – Unlike many desk jobs, being an Amazon delivery driver will require you to get up and out of the house, which can be great for those who want to incorporate some exercise into their daily routine and meet some fresh faces.
It will look good on your CV – OK, you are not Jeff Bezos’s right-hand man (or woman), but having Amazon on your CV will look great to future employers and can be a foot in the door to other roles within the company.
Tips for Success
Once you’ve signed up and been approved to drive for Amazon Fresh, there are a few things you can do to ensure your success as a driver.
Applying to Become an Amazon Flex Delivery Driver
Your road to success starts with your application form. Take your time over this and provide truthful and detailed information.
For instance, don’t embellish your experience; if you’ve worked as a delivery driver previously for a few months, don’t lie and say it was a few years.
Also, make sure that you complete all sections of the application form, including the interests section. The more professional and detailed your application is, the more chance you’ll have of securing the job.
Look after Your Two Biggest Assets
Yes, that’s right, your two biggest assets as a delivery driver are your vehicle and yourself. If either of these lets you down, then it’s going to have a knock-on effect on your earnings and job satisfaction.
So, make sure that your vehicle is in good condition and regularly serviced. You don’t want to be breaking down at the side of the road or struggling to make deliveries because your car can’t handle them.
And as for yourself, well, you need to take care of your health. This means getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and regularly exercising. If you’re not in good physical shape, you won’t be able to do your job properly.
Deliver on the Holidays
When are families stocking up on food and full of good cheer (potentially resulting in bigger tips)?
You’ve guessed it: the holidays. Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are when people buy more and are more likely to use Amazon Fresh. So, if you can deliver on these days, you can get more work, and you’ll be raking in the tips.
Final Thoughts
Becoming an Amazon Fresh delivery driver via Amazon Flex is one of the better-paying opportunities out there for those looking to break into the gig economy.
It’s a popular role, so applying for a position and getting on the waiting list as soon as possible is crucial if you want to be one of the first in line for when a role opens up.
Hopefully, the information we’ve provided will give you a head start in your application and set you on the road to becoming a successful grocery delivery driver. Good luck!
FAQs
Should you tip Amazon Fresh drivers?
Many Amazon Fresh users ask the question if they should tip their Amazon Fresh Driver. While Amazon Flex drivers who deliver packages don’t expect customer tips, it is customary to tip fresh food delivery drivers.
How long does it take to get hired as an Amazon Fresh delivery driver?
This can depend on the area you are applying to and the waiting list length. It could be anywhere from weeks to months before you are offered a delivery partner contract. The background check will only take a week or so.
Ensure you regularly check your email and the Amazon Flex app for updates on your application status. Remember, you can always sign-up for other driving jobs while waiting, such as Uber or Doordash.
Are Amazon Fresh delivery drivers employees?
Amazon Flex drivers are classed as independent contractors, not employees. This means that they are not eligible for employee benefits such as health insurance or paid time off.
Still, drivers do have some protections under the law, such as minimum wage requirements and workers’ compensation if they are injured on the job.
Do Amazon Fresh delivery drivers have to pack the groceries?
No, the Amazon Fresh warehouse staff will do the packing for you. All you have to do is load up your own vehicle and head out to make your deliveries.
Can I become an Amazon Fresh driver without a high school diploma?
As with most rideshare driver and delivery jobs, you don’t need any qualifications to start delivering groceries. Amazon emphasizes your vehicle and clean driving record above all else.
Related posts:
- How to Become an Amazon Flex Driver
- How Much Do Amazon Flex Drivers Make In 2022?
- The Complete Guide to the Amazon Flex App
FAQs
Do Amazon Fresh drivers know how much you tip? ›
No, drivers do not see tips until after they have completed their delivery shift. What is this? This is to ensure that drivers do not feel pressured to provide good service in order to receive a tip, and so that customers also get the option to tip or not tip based on the service they received.
Do you have to answer the door for Amazon Fresh? ›Note: We're happy to leave your order with a door attendant or security guard if necessary. If you'd like us to do so, be sure to leave instructions when completing your order on the Preview Order page, under Delivery Instructions.
How much do Amazon Fresh drivers make before tips? ›How Much Do Amazon Fresh Drivers Make? According to Amazon, its drivers make an average of $18-$25 per hour. This figure is a little above the minimum wage. Amazon drivers can get tips from customers.
Is $5 a good tip for delivery? ›Lifestyle and etiquette expert Elaine Swann suggests paying a $3 to $5 tip when the delivery driver arrives. "Three to five dollars is a sufficient tip," Swann says. "It doesn't necessarily need to be a percentage of the food you ordered."
Can Amazon see your tip? ›The short answer is delivery drivers see a total tip amount of all of their orders completed each day, but they do not see individual tip amounts per customer. Amazon Fresh grocery delivery drivers do not see individual tip amounts.
Do I need to pay tips for Amazon Fresh delivery? ›Many Amazon Fresh users ask the question if they should tip their Amazon Fresh Driver. While Amazon Flex drivers who deliver packages don't expect customer tips, it is customary to tip fresh food delivery drivers.
What do you do when you work at Amazon Fresh? ›- Operating the cash register in a fun, efficient and trustworthy manner.
- Delighting customers by answering questions and offering up recommendations.
- Keeping shelves stocked and maintaining inventory, ensuring the customer has the best shopping experience possible.
If no one is at the address when delivery is attempted, we will leave the package in a secure location. If no secure location is available, or the delivery requires someone to be present, Amazon will send an e-mail to the e-mail address on file. We'll make three delivery attempts on consecutive days.
Does Amazon Fresh pay every week? ›Full-time workers will receive their salary every month. Part-time workers will receive their salary every other week of the month (paid biweekly). Inters and temporary employees will be paid weekly.
Do Amazon Fresh workers get paid? ›The estimated total pay for a Fresh Associate at Amazon is $20 per hour. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated base pay is $17 per hour.
Do Amazon delivery drivers ask for date of birth? ›
To confirm the recipient is over 18 years, valid photographic ID with a date of birth may be required upon delivery. The driver will input your year of birth into their device and may then require an ID check to complete the age verification process.
How many stops do Amazon drivers have? ›We deliver 250-300 packages a day. Roughly 200 stops spread out. That's about 20-30 stops per hour depending on the weather.
What's the fastest Amazon can deliver? ›Same-Day Delivery is available seven days a week most days of the year, with limited availability on certain holidays and high-volume shopping days, including Black Friday and Prime Day. Same-Day delivery isn't available on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day.
How can I deliver faster? ›- Wear the Right Clothes. Wearing the right clothes is essential to being a fast delivery driver. ...
- Pack a Driver's Bag. ...
- Optimize Your Delivery Route. ...
- Add Stops for Bathroom Breaks. ...
- Plan Your Packages In Your Vehicle.
(Gray News) – Alexa is making it easy to tip your Amazon delivery driver at no cost to you. Just tell Alexa to thank your driver and voila - they get $5 in their pocket. It's as simple as that.
How much do you tip for a $20 pizza delivery? ›Generally speaking, delivery orders that are less than $20 are given a minimum tip of $3. If the order is over $20, then it's customary to calculate a tip that is 10%-15% of the order (but never less than $5).
How much do you tip a 40 dollar pizza delivery? ›How much to tip pizza delivery? The general rule in all instances is that you should tip between 10 % and 20 % of the total value of the bill.
Does Amazon track what you look at? ›Amazon keeps track of everything you look at, whether you buy it or not. Though you can't dig into a historical archive of everything you've ever viewed, it's pretty straightforward to take a look at a list of recently viewed items and remove any or all of them.
Can police see Amazon orders? ›Amazon does not disclose customer information in response to government demands unless we're required to do so to comply with a legally valid and binding order.
Does Amazon track their employees? ›The documents detail how intricately Amazon tracks workers, monitoring the activity of each workers' handheld package scanner to determine whether that worker is spending "time off task." Amazon keeps a tally of each worker's TOT down to the minute.
Do you need your own bags at Amazon Fresh? ›
Dash in, get a Dash Cart
Two paper bags are placed inside the cart, however more are available if the shopper needs them.
“This service fee will help keep prices low in our online and physical grocery stores as we better cover grocery delivery costs and continue to enable offering a consistent, fast, and high-quality delivery experience,” the notice stated.
Do you need anything to go into Amazon Fresh? ›For a more traditional shopping experience, customers can enter the store through the designated gates and use one of the checkout lanes staffed by our store employees. When they're ready to check out, customers have the option to pay with cash, credit or debit card, Amazon One, or the Amazon app.
How long are Amazon Fresh shifts? ›Candidates must be at least 18 years of age. Must be able to lift up to 49 lbs. Shifts can be up to 8 hours, requiring associates to be on their feet for the duration of their shift.
How long is Amazon Fresh training? ›Training is usually 8 hours for two days. You'll get paid for it all. About one week.
What are Amazon Fresh shifts? ›A typical early morning shift starts between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. and ends between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Depending on the location and department, day shifts typically start between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and end between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. local time. Evening and overnight shifts give you your days back.
How does Amazon Fresh 2 hour delivery work? ›Amazon lets you know the threshold for free delivery in your area as you shop. Two-hour delivery means that delivery takes place within a two-hour window, such as 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. One-hour delivery is also available, but it costs extra. Amazon lets you select a delivery window during the checkout process.
How does Amazon Fresh keep food cold? ›Frozen foods are packed in an insulated pouch with an ice pack, while a frozen bottle of water is nestled against refrigerated items to keep them cool.
What time do Amazon start delivering? ›Deliveries are made between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on your chosen day.
How many hours is full time for Amazon Fresh? ›Schedule options. Depending on where you work, schedules may include full-time (40 hours), reduced-time (30-36 hours) or part-time (20 hours or less), all with the option of working additional hours if needed. Shift flexibility.
How much is your first paycheck at Amazon? ›
31, 2021. Amazon is raising its hourly wages for its warehouse and delivery workers, the company announced Wednesday. Beginning in October, Amazon's average starting pay for front-line employees in the U.S. will be bumped up to more than $19 per hour from $18 per hour, the company said.
How long does it take to get your first paycheck from Amazon? ›It usually takes 3 to 5 business days from the time we settle your account and initiate an ACH transfer before the funds arrive in your account.
How much does Amazon Fresh pay overnight? ›This position starts at $16.65/hr. The base pay range for this position is $16.65/hr – $18.25/hr.
Does Amazon Fresh pay for gas? ›Amazon Flex doesn't pay drivers for gas or reimburse your for mileage. This is because Amazon Flex drivers are independent contractors who are responsible for covering fuel costs, vehicle repairs, and other job-related expenses.
What are Amazon Fresh benefits? ›Large selection with over 500,000 products to choose from, including household items. Local, organic, and seasonal groceries available. No extra subscription fee for Amazon Prime members. Attended delivery, doorstep delivery, and pickup options available.
Does Amazon monitor delivery drivers? ›The cameras provide real-time alerts to improve safety, an Amazon spokesperson previously told Insider, and said accidents decreased by 48%, stop sign violations fell by a fifth, with the number of drivers not using seatbelts cut by 60%.
Why do delivery drivers ask for name? ›Using the electronic boards, the signatures are basically unreadable so we ask for the last name of the signer for verification purposes. We also scan the parcel as we approach the delivery location and enter the name as we are going back to the vehicle to avoid any “wasted” time.
Can I filter Amazon by delivery date? ›You can use a filter to find out. Search for your item, then on the left of the page, narrow down the delivery day by clicking “Get it by tomorrow.” Amazon will only show the list of products they can deliver in one day.
Do Amazon drivers get fired? ›Amazon delivery drivers are technically employed by contractors, known as Amazon delivery service partners, who fire workers for leaving behind pee bottles.
Is Amazon hurting for drivers? ›20 Percent of All Amazon Delivery Drivers Suffered a Work-Related Injury in 2021. A study for a labor advocacy organization analyzed federal workplace safety data. They determined that nearly 20 percent of all Amazon delivery drivers suffered a workplace injury in 2021.
What is the maximum number of hours you can drive each day Amazon? ›
You can do as many Amazon Flex blocks as you want each day. However, there's a caveat involved here. The caveat is that Amazon won't let you work more than eight total hours per day. You could run a two-hour delivery route in the morning to pick up packages from your local Amazon warehouse.
Does Amazon deliver at 4am? ›If a customer selects to have their order delivered overnight, drivers will arrive between 4:30am-8am, which is noted on the product detail page and again at checkout. Making so many daily deliveries across such a large selection of products isn't an easy job.
Does Amazon deliver on Christmas? ›Amazon does not deliver on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day. Is Amazon Prime open on Christmas? Both Amazon Logistics and UPS, the two primary delivery sources for Amazon, are closed on Christmas Day.
Does Amazon deliver on Sunday? ›Amazon delivers every day of the week, with some exceptions. Customers who live within an area serviced by Amazon Sunday deliveries may notice that Sunday shows up as an option for delivery during their checkout process.
How do I become a better Amazon driver? ›- Use A Smartphone To Maximize Efficiency. The first in our Amazon flex tips list is a smartphone. ...
- Keep Extra Boxes Of Various Sizes & Tape At Hand. ...
- Plan Your Delivery Routes Ahead Of Time. ...
- Prevent Package Theft. ...
- Get Insured. ...
- Record Your Delivery Miles (Always) ...
- Resolve Issues ASAP. ...
- Wear The Right Clothes.
- Have good insurance. Car insurance is another expense most of us already view as necessary. ...
- Keep extra boxes available. ...
- Carry other essentials. ...
- Plan out your routes. ...
- Record your miles. ...
- Don't leave packages unattended. ...
- Don't ignore issues; resolve them.
- Maximize efficiency with one device. ...
- Have extra boxes handy. ...
- Plan your routes ahead of time. ...
- Prevent package theft.
- Make sure you're covered. ...
- Always record your delivery miles.
If you leave a tip upon checkout, the driver can see exactly how much you tipped. The larger a tip you leave, the more likely a DoorDash worker will pick up your order for delivery.
Do delivery drivers know if you tip? ›If you're wondering whether your Uber Eats delivery driver can see if you added a tip before they bring you your order, the answer is yes. The version of the app-based food delivery platform that Uber Eats drivers use shows them how much their customers added as a tip or if they decided not to tip at all.
Can food delivery drivers see how much you tip? ›If you're a customer reading this, you should be aware that while Dashers can't technically see your tip before they deliver the order, in practice, every Dasher can tell if the customer tipped. Tips make up the bulk of the earnings for many Dashers.
Do delivery drivers pay taxes on tips? ›
You'll also need to report your tips, as they are considered taxable income, so make sure to keep track of these. A record of your expenses. As an independent contractor, you'll need to file a Schedule C along with your 1040 form.
Why you should always tip delivery drivers? ›They personally deliver to your doorstep
While this isn't always necessary to do so beforehand, with certain delivery services, drivers might tend to deny delivering your order if they see there is no tip for them. They are barely making money as it is, so they are most likely surviving off of the tips they receive.
That depends on who you ask, but, generally, both customers and drivers agree that $4 is a fair tip, according to the study. However, that might be low depending on the amount of food you order. Gottsman suggests tipping at least 20% of the total cost of the meal, or at least $5.
Is $5 a good tip for Uber Eats? ›In a survey done by US Foods, delivery drivers and customers agree that $4 is a reasonable tip for those delivering food. However, 60% of drivers surveyed say they're either not being tipped or not tipped enough.
Are delivery drivers supposed to ask for tips? ›However, tipping is not required nor commonly expected for this service. Unlike restaurant servers who are paid a low wage and rely on tips to make up a large portion of their income, delivery drivers are compensated by the company that is providing the delivery service.
What percentage should you tip delivery? ›For the majority of orders, when it comes to how much to tip for food delivery, you should be adding at least 20 percent onto the total tab.
Is 15 a good tip? ›Even if the service is poor, it's recommended you leave at least 10 percent. * Check your tab carefully because some places add a gratuity to the bill. You may or may not want to supplement that. For the wait staff at sit-down restaurants, the tip should be 15 percent to 20 percent of the pretax bill.
Is it rude to not tip DoorDash? ›Tipping is expected every time you order delivery from DoorDash. The company's couriers — known as Dashers — can be likened to waiters and traditional pizza delivery drivers in that they're providing a service on top of the restaurant preparing your meal. In return, it's common courtesy to provide a tip for their help.