Key Takeaways
- Every potential Amazon Flex driver is required to undergo a background check before they can start making deliveries.
- The check covers both criminal history and driving records to ensure safety and reliability.
- Major traffic violations, DUIs, violent crimes, or theft can often disqualify an individual from becoming a delivery partner.
- Once initiated, background checks typically take a few days to a couple of weeks. Applicants receive notifications about their status and any potential issues that arise.
- What is the Amazon Flex Background Check?
- What Does an Amazon Flex Background Check Look For?
- Amazon Flex Background Check Process
- How Long Do Amazon Background Checks Take?
- How Do I Know if I Passed My Amazon Flex Background Check?
- What Happens if You Fail Amazon Flex Background Check?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrapping Up
What is the Amazon Flex Background Check?
The Amazon Flex background check is a mandatory check that every potential Amazon Flex driver (or “delivery partner”) is required to undergo a background check before they can start making deliveries.
Similar to a UPS personal vehicle driver, Amazon Flex is a program through which Amazon that pays independent drivers to distribute packages to customers using their personal vehicles.
Since they are oftentimes in close contact with customers, the company wants to ensure that their workforce can be trusted.
What Does an Amazon Flex Background Check Look For?
The Amazon Flex background check is a two-step process that covers both criminal history and driving records to ensure safety and reliability.
It will scour up to seven years of your personal history, looking for red flags like criminal activity such as prior theft or violence. Even if you committed a crime seven years ago, it will probably show up.
The second part of the process checks your driving record for any moving violations or other citations. Depending on the offense, you may or may not be eligible to drive.
Common Causes of Disqualification for Amazon Flex Drivers
Amazon Flex background checks are very easy to pass for those with clean records. However, for those with some type of mark on their record, you could be denied for a variety of reasons, including the following:
Criminal History
- Violent Crimes: Convictions related to assaults, robberies, or any other violent crimes, especially recent ones, may be a disqualifying factor.
- Theft and Property Crimes: Given that Flex drivers handle customers’ packages, convictions related to theft, burglary, or other property crimes can be concerning.
- Sexual Offenses: Convictions like sexual assaults or offenses that require registration as a sex offender would likely be disqualifying.
- Other Felonies: Other major felony convictions might also disqualify an applicant, especially if they’re recent.
Driving Records
- Serious Traffic Violations: Major infractions, such as DUI/DWI (driving under the influence/driving while intoxicated) convictions, can be disqualifying, especially if they are recent.
- Numerous Moving Violations: Multiple recent moving violations, such as speeding tickets or reckless driving charges, may raise concerns about the applicant’s driving habits.
- License Suspension: Having a driver’s license that was recently or is currently suspended or revoked.
- Accident History: A history of multiple at-fault accidents could raise concerns about driving safety.
Other Disqualifiers
- Fraudulent or Inaccurate Information: Providing false information or omitting relevant information during the application process can lead to disqualification. Amazon values integrity and honesty in its associates and contractors.
- Drug-related offenses: Depending on the nature and recency, drug-related convictions might disqualify an applicant, especially if they relate to distribution or trafficking.
- Terrorism or Weapons-related Offenses: Convictions related to terrorism, weapons offenses, or other major threats to public safety can be disqualifying.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
A very common, yet avoidable, reason that I see drivers failing the Amazon Flex background check is by not following up with required actions.
Some drivers don’t respond to standard requests – like providing a motor vehicle history, for example – so the company is not able to approve their application as a result.
It’s also worth noting that the impact of past offenses diminishes over time.
Some applicants who were initially rejected due to old misdemeanors were later able to pass the background check, suggesting that the severity and recency of offenses make a difference.
If something in your record for some reason triggers a deactivation or an application denial, I would strongly suggest giving it a bit of time (no less than 6 months) and then re-applying.
The forums are packed full of stories about how drivers have been denied, yet after they waited and re-applied years later, they were approved because the red flag had dropped off their record.
Amazon Flex Background Check Process
1. Consent
Before Amazon can initiate a background check, you must provide explicit consent. This is a legal requirement to ensure that applicants are aware that their personal information will be used for the purpose of conducting a background check.
2. Action
During the Amazon Flex application process, you’ll encounter a page or section where you’ll be informed about the background check.
You’ll typically be required to read through a disclosure and then check a box or sign electronically to indicate your consent. Make sure you understand what you’re consenting to, and if you have any concerns, address them before proceeding.
3. Providing Necessary Details
To conduct a background check, Amazon Flex will require specific personal details to accurately pull records.
Enter personal details like your full name, date of birth, Social Security Number (or the equivalent in non-U.S. countries), and driver’s license details. Ensure that all the information you provide is accurate and up-to-date to prevent unnecessary delays or discrepancies.
4. Criminal History Check
This check is to identify any past criminal convictions. Amazon aims to ensure that Flex drivers can be trusted to handle customers’ packages and operate in a safe and trustworthy manner.
No direct action is needed from you at this stage unless Amazon Flex contacts you about discrepancies or potential issues. It’s important to note that while some convictions might be a cause for concern, not all criminal records will disqualify you.
5. Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) Check
Since the job involves driving, Amazon Flex reviews applicants’ driving histories.
Again, no direct action is needed from you during this check. However, be aware that factors such as multiple recent moving violations, major accidents, or severe offenses (e.g., DUI/DWI) might affect your eligibility.
6. Duration & Waiting
Background checks can vary in length based on several factors, including the responsiveness of agencies or databases consulted and the clarity of the records found.
Patience is key here. While waiting, you can periodically check your application status through the Amazon Flex app or portal. However, reaching out too frequently can be counterproductive.
7. Notification & Results
Once the background check is complete, Amazon Flex will inform you of the results. If approved, you can proceed with the onboarding process.
If there are discrepancies or potential issues on the report, you might be contacted to provide additional information or context.
In some cases, you may be given a copy of the report and an opportunity to correct any inaccuracies before a final decision is made.
How Long Do Amazon Background Checks Take?
How long it takes for a background check may depend on your history.
If you have no prior theft charges, it will probably take two to five days for your criminal history check to finalize. If you have any outstanding offenses to search, Accurate Background may take longer to finish.
Your Flex app will alert you when your results are ready. If it seems to be taking too long, you can check the status of your report after five days.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
The biggest complaint that I hear from Amazon Flex applicants is the confusion and frustration regarding a lack of communication or clarity in the application process. This is especially when there are delays in approval or additional information is needed.
The time it takes for Amazon Flex background checks to complete can vary significantly. I’ve talked to some drivers who got approved within a day, while others experience delays of several weeks or even over a month.
One thing to be aware of is the Amazon Flex waitlist. In some areas, there is an oversaturation of drivers, leading to a waitlist even after clearing the background check.
If as considerable amount of time has passed since submitting your background check and you’re still not approved to drive, I suggest checking the waitlist. You might have gotten added without realizing it.
How Do I Know if I Passed My Amazon Flex Background Check?
To determine if you have passed your Amazon Flex background check, check for a green check mark in the app, indicating clearance.
Additionally, you might receive a welcome message from Amazon Flex. You can also track your status on the Accurate Applicant Status Portal. If you have further questions, contacting Accurate Background by phone is an option.
What Happens if You Fail Amazon Flex Background Check?
If you fail an Amazon Flex background check, it typically means you won’t be able to work as an Amazon Flex driver.
However, for Delivery Service Partners (DSPs), the situation might be different. Although DSPs use the same app and are associated with Amazon, they are separate entities and may have different hiring criteria.
The decision to hire an individual for a DSP is ultimately made by the DSP itself, not Amazon. Each DSP may have its own criteria for background checks and could potentially overlook issues that Amazon Flex would not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does Amazon Flex Background Check Contractors?
Amazon wants to make sure you are trustworthy to deliver packages that may contain valuable merchandise. You must consent to a criminal record check to qualify.
Does Amazon Flex Hire Felons?
No. You cannot become a driver if you have a felony on your record within the last seven years.
You could contact Amazon to see if you can qualify for other positions. You may be able to work with a history of a misdemeanor, depending on the offense.
Related: Does DoorDash hire felons?
Why is My Background Check for Amazon Flex Taking So Long?
It may depend on your personal history. You may need to contact Accurate Background to find out what could be causing the delay.
Does Amazon Flex Drug Test?
Most of the assignments through Amazon require a drug test, but the type of testing may depend on location.
Is the Amazon Flex Background Check Similar to That of Uber and Lyft?
Yes. It is the standard for most industries.
Who Conducts Amazon Flex Background Checks?
Amazon Flex background checks are conducted by Accurate Background, a third-party agency.
The content of these background checks is regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which restricts the inclusion of negative marks such as civic suits, judgments, arrest records, tax liens, or other offenses older than seven years, and bankruptcies older than ten years.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, the Amazon Flex background check is a critical component of the onboarding process of Amazon Flex drivers. Not only does this step help to ensure the quality of their package delivery network, but it also helps keep customers safe.
Do you have experience with Amazon Flex background checks? Let us know in the comments below.
On the criminal background check, I had only one conviction from 1996, over 25 years ago, and I was denied employment when I applied in 2021. While the article says they go back only 7 years, they really search your ENTIRE background. FYI: Despite any rehabilitation, you’re pretty much screwed if you have any blemish on your record.
How long did it take for them to tell you that you were denied?
How many day’s to background check this take much longer time. Please check the process how many days’ to check to complete the background check.
Can you use 2 vehicles for the job, depending on the amount of packages?