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How Does Amazon Flex Work for Drivers?
How Does Amazon Flex Work for Drivers?
There has been an explosion in recent years of opportunities for gig workers of all kinds in recent years, but especially when it comes to delivery driving. One of the best ways that rideshare drivers have found to earn more is by using delivery apps like Flex. Of course with any freelance gig, it's up to you to pay self-employment taxes.
Table of contents
What is Amazon Flex?...Read more
How does the app work?...Read more
How does payment work?...Read more
Qualifications for drivers...Read more
Car insurance requirements...Read more
Car qualifications...Read more
What about driving experience?...Read more
When does Amazon deactivate drivers?...Read more
Pros and cons...Read more
What is Amazon Flex?
If you haven't heard of it, you're not alone. We all know someone who works for DoorDash or Postmates or Grubhub, but Flex drivers are far less known. Working as an Amazon Flex delivery driver, however, can be very profitable.
It works a lot like the aforementioned delivery apps, but in this case you pick up packages from Amazon fulfillment centers and deliver them to Amazon clients.
How does the app work?
Like every gig-driving company, Flex has an app that you use on your smartphone. When you download the app, part of the setup is telling it the hours when you want to work on a given day. Each time you open the app, the first step will then be to schedule blocks of time to work.
An hour or so before your scheduled block of time starts, you'll receive a reminder notification to head to the Amazon warehouse or store that has the packages you'll be delivering. Using the Amazon Flex driver app, you scan barcodes on the packages to make sure you have the right ones, and then you can start delivering.
The route you take for each delivery is up to you, but the Amazon Flex application will plot one for you. Just keep in mind the amount of time each delivery takes, so you can complete them within your time slot. At each delivery location on the Amazon tracking map, you take the package to the client's door and scan the barcode again as proof of its delivery.
The app might ask you to take a photo of the package where you have set it down, which is a good practice, no matter what. If that happens, the app then sends that photo to the customer, so they know their package is waiting for them.
How does payment work?
A feature that differentiates the Amazon Flex app from other delivery apps is it shows you how much you will make in a given time slot. That is, assuming you deliver a given number of packages determined by the app. About once a week, your payment will be deposited into your bank account. Along with keeping track of any income you make with Flex, you'll need to pay regular taxes on the income and make estimated tax payments. A 1099 tax calculator can help prepare you for this.
Qualifications for drivers
There are some common-sense requirements for drivers, like being able to lift the packages and being okay with walking around outside in a variety of conditions. But unlike some delivery services, there are car requirements you will need to consider, too.
Car insurance requirements
As long as your vehicle is insured, you can drive for Flex. In addition, Amazon offers Flex drivers a commercial policy that goes above and beyond your coverage. It includes comprehensive and collision coverage, that is in effect only while you're driving for Flex. If there's anyone riding with you, however, it won't cover them in the event of a traffic accident.
Car qualifications
Because you use your own vehicle, it has to fit certain criteria, apart from insurance. The most important thing is that your vehicle is safe and in good enough condition to get packages – and you – to the delivery destination in one piece.
For Prime Now orders, which are usually small items, you can use any four-door car that can safely bring packages to customers. Normal Amazon orders require more, at least a mid-size four-door car or a van or SUV. You can also use a pick-up truck if it has a covered bed. If you're borrowing a car from someone, you can use it for deliveries, so long as it has the proper registration, insurance, etc. Same with rental cars. There's going to be wear and tear on your car so you'll need to factor in car depreciation too.
What about driving experience?
Rideshare drivers usually need to have at least a year of experience behind the wheel before they're allowed to drive passengers. Flex does not have this restriction, so even if you've only had a valid driver’s license for a few days, you can start delivering packages.
Amazon learns your driving history by doing a background check. "Background check" sounds scary, but don't worry, as long as you don't have anything related to violence or theft in your background, you should not be disqualified from working for Amazon. If there are a number of serious driving violations on your record, that would of course prevent you from becoming a Flex driver.
When does Amazon deactivate drivers?
Amazon might deactivate a driver for a number of reasons, such as too many missed deliveries or late deliveries. Deactivation means that Amazon deactivates your account in the app, so you can no longer use it, and officially terminates your independent contract with them.
Appealing the termination of your agreement is possible by filling out the required form within ten days after you receive the notice.
Pros and cons
Working for Flex pays up to $25 per hour, with a minimum of $18 per hour. Getting shifts with any consistency can be difficult, and you can't just log into the app and start delivering like you can with other delivery and rideshare apps. You're really at the mercy of the company, as you compete with a pool of many other drivers all looking to pick up shifts and log miles.
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