Is Amazon Flex worth it for delivery drivers?
Amazon recruits only in some cities and towns, so whether spots are open where you live decides most of the choice. After that, what matters is how Amazon pays, what you cover yourself and what happens if your account is disabled.
Amazon Flex makes sense if
You want insurance during blocks without buying a commercial policy
You want shifts of a few hours, not a full-day route
Choose another platform if
You need to start in the next few weeks
You need a predictable number of hours
You count on tips to make a route worthwhile
You live in New York
You want a formal way to contest a deactivation
How much Amazon Flex takes from your pay
Amazon Flex doesn't publish a percentage fee or commission, and it doesn't publish a per-block dollar range. Each offer shows what the block pays before you schedule it, and Amazon says it sets a minimum contribution per scheduled hour that varies by location and demand. On tip-eligible blocks, Amazon says you keep all of your tips. What cuts into your pay is the cost of driving. Amazon doesn't reimburse mileage, parking or tolls, so fuel and wear on your vehicle come out of the offer.
Amazon Flex fees
- Amazon Flex keeps
Amazon Flex doesn't publish a per-block dollar range on its main page.
Offers on tip-eligible blocks show a range of expected tips.
No mileage, parking or toll reimbursement
Drivers bear their own expenses, so vehicle costs come out of what you earn.
How and when Amazon Flex pays you
When money reaches you depends on three choices: which payment days you pick, whether the block takes tips, and how you cash out. Amazon says customers have 24 hours to update tips, and tip-eligible blocks pay two to three days after the block or on your next payment day. Friday and Saturday blocks wait for Monday or your next chosen payment day. Where you cash out matters too, because a bank account and the Flex Debit Card cost less than cashing out to another debit card.
How Amazon Flex pays
Service completed
- How you're paid
Checking or savings account required
You need a bank account on file to be paid for blocks.
The card is offered with Green Dot Bank and has no monthly account fees.
- Tax forms
Self-employment tax from $400 net
The IRS says self-employed people usually owe it on net earnings of $400 or more.
Joining Amazon Flex, step by step
Interest list
Where spots are closed, you join a list and get emailed when they open.
Background check
Amazon checks background and motor vehicle records after you apply.
Service area and videos
Pick your service area and watch the required onboarding videos.
Tax and payment details
Provide tax information and bank details; they can't be edited after you submit.
Photo verification
Complete selfie verification, with your license uploaded as a physical photo.
Amazon Flex requirements and how long approval takes
You must be based where Amazon is recruiting. Where it isn't, Amazon says you join an interest list and get an email when spots open. An interest list means no delivery spots are open in your region, and Amazon doesn't publish how long the wait is. Spots are limited, so Amazon advises finishing onboarding right after you are invited. Information can't be edited once you submit it, and Amazon emails you when onboarding is done or if it needs more. Amazon says onboarding takes under an hour for most people and that most can start delivering in under a week. No independent source measures that timing.
Amazon Flex requirements
- Where you can work
Amazon recruits only in specific high-demand cities and towns, and you must be based there.
- ID and documents
Valid U.S. license with a photo
Upload the physical license; learner's permits and temporary licenses without a photo are rejected.
Required along with a valid U.S. driver's license to sign up.
Bank details and auto insurance policy
You also need these ready, alongside your license and SSN, for onboarding.
- Vehicle
No motorcycles, scooters or motorized bikes
Amazon says these are not eligible at this time; bicycles are not listed as eligible.
- Background check
Background check with motor vehicle records
Amazon doesn't publish the vendor, cost to you or which offenses disqualify.
- Also required
Amazon keeps biometric information for up to 30 days.
Amazon employees in most states are not eligible to deliver.
No minimum deliveries required
You are not required to complete a set number of deliveries to stay eligible.
How much you can make on Amazon Flex
An hourly rate covers active work only. It leaves out the time you wait, the miles between stops and the blocks you can't get, so it isn't a monthly figure. Amazon's footnote says actual earnings vary.
Earnings figures
The $18-$25 range is Amazon's own claim. Gridwise, which tracks drivers through an app, reports gross figures before gas, maintenance and insurance. Gridwise says the median tip is $0 because most blocks are logistics routes with no tipping. Amazon says block availability isn't promised, offers are added through the day, and winter holidays are busiest. Amazon also says it cut bot block acceptance by more than 98% in the year to March 2025. That is Amazon's claim and isn't independently verified.
Can Amazon Flex deactivate your account?
Yes. Amazon's deactivation policy says it may deactivate an account for any material violation of its contractor terms, program policies or other policies given to delivery partners. Listed expectations include arriving on time, delivering on time and returning undelivered packages by 10am the next day. You must physically attempt delivery and leave packages in a safe, secure place at the correct address. Fraud or theft through the app is also a listed violation.
For a disabled account, Amazon's FAQ describes one route: emailing support for the reason and next steps. It describes no formal appeal, deadline or timeline. Amazon's free commercial auto insurance applies only while you are actively delivering a block, and claims are denied if someone else is driving. You must also carry your own personal auto insurance.
Is Amazon Flex legit?
Amazon runs Flex, which launched in 2015 and uses contracted drivers with their own vehicles. The record includes a tips case. The FTC alleged that Amazon kept nearly $62 million of Flex driver tips from 2016 to 2019. Per the FTC as reported by CNBC, Amazon used a pricing model until August 2019 under which tips made up the difference between a promised hourly rate and a lower one. Amazon agreed to pay more than $61.7 million, to be used to compensate drivers, and the commission voted 4-0 to approve the settlement announced Feb 2, 2021. On Oct 23, 2025, New Jersey's attorney general and labor department sued Amazon, alleging Flex drivers are misclassified as independent contractors. Those are allegations, not findings, and Amazon says the suit is wrong on the facts and law.
Amazon Flex company record
Scams that use Amazon Flex's name
Amazon's scam guidance covers job impersonation across Amazon and isn't specific to Flex. Amazon says that in 83% of reported job-impersonation cases, scammers demanded upfront payment by crypto or gift cards, or sensitive personal information. In Sept-Oct 2025, Amazon reported more scammers posing as recruiters and selling resume-review services for a fee. The onboarding steps Flex lists are a background check, service area, videos, and tax and payment details, with no fee among them. For more patterns, see how to spot side-hustle scams.
Taxes on Amazon Flex income
The IRS says self-employed people usually owe self-employment tax on net earnings of $400 or more. Net earnings are what is left after business costs, so the mileage, parking and tolls Amazon doesn't reimburse matter. You provide tax details during onboarding.
Amazon Flex vs other delivery driving apps
See package delivery driving for how package apps compare on vehicle costs and waitlists.
| Platform | What it keeps from you | When you get paid | Minimum payout | Approval time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Flex | Shows pay per block upfront† | Daily to weekly, your choice† | Not published | Not published |
| Uber Eats | No fixed percentage published | Weekly, usually Thursdays† | Instant Pay: no minimum stated | A few minutes to 48 hours† |
| Veho | 1.85 cents per mile insurance | Twice weekly, 2-3 business days | Not published | Typically 5-7 days |
| Spark Driver | No fee percentage published | Instant or weekly | Not published | Background check: 1-7 business days† |
| DoorDash | Base pay set per offer | Weekly, by Wednesday night | Not published | Background check: within a day to a week |
Amazon Flex questions
Amazon says Amazon.com blocks run 3-6 hours and Amazon Fresh blocks 2-4 hours. Amazon Now blocks are under 1 hour and can be scheduled up to 7 days ahead or offered as instant offers that start within 0 to 30 minutes. Amazon says instant offers are available only in some regions.
Amazon publishes no tip frequency rate. It says the tip range shown in offers is based on recent similar blocks and that at least a quarter of drivers reached the top of the range or exceeded it. Gridwise's 2025 data shows an average tip of $1.97 per block and a median of $0.
Amazon says Preferred Scheduling, available at Rewards Level 2 and above, lets you set preferred stations, days and times to see reserved offers. Cash back through the Flex Debit Card is capped at $500 per month. Amazon says rewards can change at its discretion.
Sources
Government
- Topic no. 554, Self-employment tax
IRS · Accessed
Official platform and company pages
- Requirements to become a Delivery Partner with Amazon Flex
Amazon Flex · Accessed
- Amazon Flex FAQ
Amazon Flex · Accessed
- Amazon Flex Deactivation Policy
Amazon Flex · Accessed
- Amazon Flex FAQ
Amazon Flex · Accessed
- Amazon Flex Get Started
Amazon Flex · Accessed
- The latest scam trends from Amazon US
Amazon · Accessed
- How eliminating bots has improved your experience with Amazon Flex
Amazon Flex · Accessed
Research and surveys
- How Much Do Amazon Flex Drivers Make?
Gridwise · Accessed
News and community reports
- Amazon kept $62 million in tips intended for drivers, FTC says
CBS News · Accessed
- Amazon to pay $61.7 million in FTC driver tipping settlement
CNBC · Accessed
- State AG, labor commissioner sue Amazon for exploiting delivery workers
ROI-NJ · Accessed
- Amazon lawsuit NJ misclassification
Philadelphia Inquirer · Accessed
- Amazon.com Inc. v. Rittmann
SCOTUSblog · Accessed