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Amazon Fresh Driver Requirements, Pay, Bonuses and More

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There’s no denying that more consumers shop online today than ever.

According to Statista, the number of regular online shoppers in the U.S. will hit an all-time high of 300 million annually by 2023.

Insider Intelligence estimates that global e-commerce sales have already surpassed the 4 trillion mark.

All data points to one thing – e-commerce is the new gem.

As more consumers shop online, the line between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar stores blurs daily.

Therefore, it’s a no-brainer that several physical stores now turn to digital media to boost their channels.

Amazon realized the value of the online space in sales early on.

Among the e-commerce companies, the most sought-after service is AmazonFresh.

So, how does it work, and who can become an Amazon Fresh driver?

This article will answer all of your questions.

What Is Amazon Fresh?

Amazon Fresh is Amazon’s grocery delivery service available to Prime members.

The service allows customers to order groceries online.

Amazon then delivers these orders to the clients’ doorsteps through Amazon Fresh drivers.

The products in this service include fresh fruits, snacks, meat, seafood, vegetables, prepared meals, household essentials, and canned foods.

The actual inventory varies from one location to the next.

How Does Amazon Fresh Work?

Grocery delivery has been a luxury that only a select few enjoyed for several years.

However, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced many people to stay indoors more often, e-commerce sales rose tremendously.

By March 2021, 31% (three out of ten) of American adults had shifted to online shopping.

You’d expect people to revert to their usual ways naturally as the need for social distance waned, but that’s not the case.

What began as a survival tactic has now become a means of convenience.

Among the biggest reapers from this new wave is Amazon Fresh.

Although the service dates back to 2007, it wasn’t until recently that it became a forefront topic.

So, how does Amazon Fresh work?

The service is straightforward to use and works in three simple steps:

1. Shopping

Amazon Fresh customers can shop for groceries by visiting brick-and-mortar stores or placing orders online through the Amazon Shopping App.

Amazon Shopping App: Most Amazon Fresh customers use this option.

The app is accessible via mobile devices, computers, and Alexa.

Customers can browse through the inventory, identify the groceries they want to buy, add them to the cart, pay, and wait for Amazon to deliver to their doorsteps.

They can also use the app to order and then checkout at physical stores.

It comes with an intuitive sales feed that highlights deals on your products.

Just Walk Out At Amazon Fresh: This service is available in a few select stores.

It typically involves clients entering brick-and-mortar stores, picking up groceries, and walking out without enduring long queues.

Just Walk Out shopping customers can enter the stores by inserting credit cards linked to their Amazon accounts, scanning their palms, or scanning QR codes on the Amazon app.

After that, whatever they take off the shelf automatically adds itself to the virtual cart.

Once they’ve picked everything, they re-enter their credit card or re-scan the QR code at the exit and exit.

2. Checkout

Customers visiting physical stores can drop their groceries at the checkout point and provide their delivery address or desired delivery date.

Alternatively, you can use the Amazon Dash Cart, which helps you skip the checkout line.

You place the bag with your groceries in a cart, sign in to the Amazon App using your Fresh QR code, and exit via the Dash Cart lane that intuitively checks you out.

The cart combines sensor fusion technology and computer vision algorithms to identify the groceries you add to the bag.

3. Delivery

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you’ll enjoy free shipping for orders above $35.

Orders below $35 have a standard delivery fee of $4.99.

However, if you want the store to expedite your delivery, you may pay an additional $5.

Depending on the distance between your home and the store and when you’ve placed your order, same-day delivery may be available.

Amazon will give you several 2-hour window options if you opt for next-day delivery.

The store assigns a shopper to shop for groceries in physical stores, fill your cart, and dispatch your order for delivery.

There’s no need to worry about your groceries going bad during transit.

Amazon Fresh packages have temperature controls to keep the items fresh.

If there’s nobody at home, the Amazon Fresh driver can leave the order at your doorstep so long as there are no safety concerns.

Like other Amazon delivery services, you can rate your shopper and delivery experience and suggest areas that may need improvements.

Where Does Amazon Fresh Deliver?

Amazon Fresh is available in the following U.S. cities:

  • Atlanta
  • Baltimore
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Dallas
  • Denver
  • Houston
  • Indianapolis
  • Las Vegas
  • Los Angeles
  • Miami
  • Minneapolis
  • New York
  • Philadelphia
  • Phoenix
  • San Francisco
  • San Diego
  • Seattle
  • Washington DC

The service also expanded to London and Germany’s Berlin, Munich, Potsdam, and Hamburg in 2017.

It works with the Morrison supermarket chain, Booths, Whole Foods, and a few local markets and shops in the UK.

In the U.S., suppliers vary depending on the state or city.

Amazon Fresh services are almost similar across all locations.

However, the Alexa shopping option is only available for U.S. shoppers.

Shoppers in the UK can select delivery slots between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

They can also get same-day deliveries if they make the orders before 9 p.m. or their homes aren’t far from the physical stores.

For U.S. shoppers, delivery times and slots vary from one region to another.

Amazon Fresh delivery is only available to customers with Prime membership.

The membership comes with additional perks such as free one-day deliveries on select items, Prime Reading eBooks, and Amazon Prime Video Streaming.

Who Can Be an Amazon Driver?

All Amazon drivers register on Amazon Flex, including Amazon Fresh delivery drivers.

To qualify for registration, you must meet the following requirements.

vector graphic showing an amazon fresh driver in the middle of a delivery with a customer

Amazon Fresh Drivers Age Requirements

Amazon Flex only accepts drivers 21 years old or older.

Therefore, you must submit a document to prove that you’ve met this age requirement, such as your birth certificate, guardianship certificate, or passport.

While most positions, like shoppers and packagers, accept applicants 18 years and above, Amazon insists any delivery driver must be at least 21 years old for insurance purposes.

The notion is that at 21, you must have more experience on the road than somebody who just got their license.

Amazon Fresh Driver Requirements

In addition to the age requirement, you need the following items to be an Amazon Flex driver.

1. Valid Driver’s License

A driver’s license is probably the most obvious qualification.

Every Amazon Fresh driver must have a valid driver’s license and have at least two years of experience.

The more experience you have, the better your employability.

An accident-free record may make you more competitive.

2. Pass a Background Check

Background checks are standard practice in most gig jobs like Lyft, Uber, and DoorDash.

It’s no different for Amazon Fresh.

Every driver must undergo a screening process on the Amazon platform.

And reasonably so – being a driver may give you access to shoppers’ sensitive data, such as addresses, phone numbers, and credit card details.

Here are a few things to note before undergoing the background check:

  • You must consent before Amazon performs the test.
  • You have the right to demand a copy of the results.
  • Amazon must give you an official adverse action notice if they fail to hire you because of the background check results.

Amazon background checks cover several aspects, such as:

Criminal records

Amazon will check if you have records of misdemeanor convictions, felonies, pending criminal cases, and active warrants.

However, some states like Washington, California, Texas, New York, Montana, Kansas, Maryland, Kansas, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts do not provide felony conviction records older than seven years.

Credit score

Poor credit scores may lead to disqualification. However, states like Illinois, Hawaii, Washington, Colorado, Connecticut, and California prohibit employer credit checks.

Sex Offender Registry

If your name is on the sex offender list, you are not eligible for an Amazon Fresh driver job.

Employment verification

While the job may not have educational or work experience requirements, some candidates may lie on their applications to gain a competitive advantage.

Therefore, Amazon always verifies employment records to filter out dishonest applicants.

Driver’s license check

The background check also assesses applicants’ driving licenses against fines, violation codes, suspensions, and violations.

Repeat traffic offenders may not get the job.

The license must also be active.

Amazon doesn’t handle the background check internally.

Instead, it’s outsourced to Accurate, an experienced workforce screening solutions provider.

The assessment typically takes two to seven days.

3. Have a Social Security Number

Amazon Fresh drivers also require social security numbers.

The SSN helps Amazon confirm your criminal and financial records.

It may also help them enforce tax compliance.

4. Have a Smartphone

Amazon requires drivers to have smartphones that can install and support its Mentor behavior monitoring app.

Android users need an Android 7.0 or newer with 2GB or higher RAM, flash cameras, SIM card slots, and GPS location services.

For iPhone users, you need an iPhone 6s or a newer version with at least iOS 14.

Amazon Fresh Vehicle Requirements

You cannot become an Amazon Fresh driver with a scooter or bike.

Your vehicle must meet the following requirements:

  • Valid auto insurance bearing your name.
  • Valid license plate.
  • A midsize or large 4-door vehicle.

What Are the Duties of Amazon Fresh Drivers?

The job description for Amazon Fresh delivery drivers includes the following duties:

  • Loading and unloading grocery orders into their cars.
  • Delivering packages to the shopper.
  • Confirming dispatches before leaving the store.
  • Updating customers on the packages’ dispatch status.
  • Maintaining delivery records.
  • Providing excellent customer service according to the company’s policies.

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.

However, the app doesn’t show each client’s tip amount – it shows the total daily tip amount.

How to Apply to Become an Amazon Fresh Driver

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to become an Amazon Fresh driver:

  • Download the Flex app and register on the platform as a delivery driver. The app will ask you to enter personal details and the delivery vehicle’s information.
  • Await approval (typically takes two to seven days).
  • Claim your shift after approval and create a work plan. Shifts start as early as 4.30 a.m. and are first-come, first-served.
  • Complete your deliveries. You can pick up orders at a physical store or warehouse.
  • Receive payments. The app dispatches payments automatically twice per week.

Frequently Asked Questions

vector graphic showing an amazon fresh customer in the process of tip amazon fresh

Are Amazon Fresh drivers permanent Amazon employees?

No, they are independent contractors.

Does Amazon pay for drivers’ gas?

No, drivers foot their gas bills for all deliveries.

They can, however, save money on gas using some creative methods.

Can Amazon Flex be a full-time job?

Yes, you can choose to become an Amazon Fresh driver full-time or as a part-time job.

In Summary

According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for Amazon Fresh drivers is approximately $34,763 per year.

You can pursue this career full-time or use it to support your primary job.

Whatever the case, Amazon Fresh drivers make slightly more than the national average salary.

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