Whether you run a trucking company or a simple owner-operator business, Amazon Relay can be what you need to get consistent loads booked for a steady income. They offer hassle-free booking on the Relay load board and one-day payments that make short-term contracts a breeze. If you have a delivery vehicle, there are some basic requirements that you'll need to meet to join this exploding program.

Amazon Relay is a program where Amazon outsources the hauling of their loads to carriers and drivers alike. Through the Relay app, transportation companies can easily grow their business by booking a series of Amazon hauls. Booking can be made weeks in advance, and you can enjoy automatic load booking to ensure that you're never running empty.

The Amazon Relay suite of technology products offers an easy way for self-registered haulers to find, book, and execute loads for Amazon. After accepting loads, you can assign them to your drivers all inside the app. This makes it super simple to see what everyone is doing. You'll even be able to track your company's performance and view and download invoices that have been generated.

When it comes to drivers, Amazon Relay offers the ability to view and manage their load status. Drivers can easily report delays and use truck-friendly commercial in-app navigation. It's important to note that all Amazon loads must be done via the Amazon Relay suite of products.

Image Source

The Pros of Amazon Relay

When you sign up for Amazon Relay, you can be assured that you'll enjoy benefits that other trucking options simply can't provide you with.

1- Easy-to-Use App

One significant benefit of Amazon Relay is its app. You can easily book your runs online and stay in constant contact with Amazon throughout. When you pull into any facility, they will know why you're there and point out your trailer quickly because they already have all of your information on file. This makes loading and unloading super simple.

2- Fast Payments

Another major advantage of dealing with Amazon Relay is that they offer one-day payouts each week. Payment cycles will run from Sunday through Saturday. Every job that is completed before midnight Saturday will be paid the following Friday. You don't have to wait for weeks or battle back and forth to get paid for the entire job. All jobs are prelisted with prices so that you know what you'll be paid before you ever accept a job.

3- Constant Demand

Amazon is a very popular e-commerce company that is growing exponentially. Because of its size, Amazon always has tons of loads in need of transport. You'll never be waiting around for another job opportunity to pop up when you work for Amazon Relay, and you can rest assured that you'll have a consistent income.

4- No Minimum Load Requirements

One big drawback of doing work for most companies is that they require you to handle a minimum load amount each month or week. With Amazon Relay, no minimums are required. You can run as few or as many loads as you would like per week. You truly can be at the helm of a flexible lifestyle when you drive for Amazon Relay.

5- In-App Navigation

The suite of Amazon Relay products offers a plethora of advantages for drivers and owner-operators alike. You can enjoy navigation from the moment you head toward your pickup destination until you pull into your final unloading destination. The best part is that it's truck-friendly, so you'll never have to worry about whether it's a route that you can legally be on.

The Cons of Amazon Relay

While Amazon Relay does offer some great benefits that other companies don't, there are still some drawbacks to working for them. It's important to weigh these cons into your overall decision of if and when you work with Amazon Relay.

1- Higher Percentage of Night Runs

A large portion of Amazon's loads are listed to be run at night. This can be less than desirable for those who don't like driving overnight.

2- More Than Average Requirements

When it comes to running loads for Amazon Relay, there are certain regulations that you must meet. Some of these requirements, such as various types of insurance coverages and limits, can be more than typical industry standards. Additionally, your performance will be constantly tracked, and you could lose your ability to run Amazon loads if your Performance Grade drops too low.

3- Average Pay Rates

When you compare Amazon with other larger companies, you'll find that their pay rate is only average. In a trucker's market, it's likely that you can find jobs that pay a higher rate.

Image Source

1. Apply online: In order to start hauling for Amazon Relay, you need to apply online to do so. Typically, within two to four days of submitting your online application and verifying your insurance coverages, you'll be approved to work for Amazon Relay. Once approved, you'll have access to the full Relay app.

2. Access the app: Once approved, you'll have access to the full Relay app. The Relay app allows you to see the Relay load board and select which jobs you want to take on.

3. Schedule your jobs: You can schedule jobs weeks in advance if you would like to have a consistent work schedule. The app will not only provide you with crucial information about your load but also track your information so that your pickup facility is ready when you arrive.

4. Get paid: Once you deliver your chosen load to its proper destination, you'll receive payment the following Friday. Amazon Relay doesn't pay for fuel, so it's imperative that you take fuel costs into account when looking at the payout for the entire job.

1. Work full time: If you opt for dealing with Amazon Relay on a full-time basis, ZipRecruiter estimates that you will see an annual salary of $61,757T. That's around $29.69 an hour.

2. Work as an onwner-operator team: If you want to form an owner-operator team, Amazon Relay can be the perfect partner. Not only can you rely on a consistent paycheck, but you can be assured that they'll always have jobs ready for you to book.

As a trucking company, Amazon Relay can be a great addition to your run schedules to help fill the time that would otherwise be deadheaded.

This is how Amazon Relay app looks in the Apple Store

If you believe that Amazon Relay can be a great investment for your trucking business, then you'll want to closely follow the steps that they provide for anyone to apply. Realize that you can be approved in as few as two to four business days as long as you submit all the required documentation as requested.

Step 1: Download the Amazon Relay App

The first step that you'll need to take to apply for Amazon Relay is to download the Relay app. It's available both at the Google Play Store and the Apple Store.

Step 2: Create an Account

Next, you'll need to create an account where you'll submit your information to Amazon. During this process, you'll need to verify your email address before proceeding.

Step 3: Submit Your Information

As you go through the application process, you'll need to submit various information conveniently itemized under multiple categories. This includes:

• FMCSA USDOT and MC numbers
• Company details
• Equipment inventory
• Insurance
• Payment
• Agreements

It's imperative that you take your time and ensure that you're submitting accurate information. Any discrepancies in your application can prevent your fast approval. Be very mindful that your company name matches exactly what is registered in your state, and only use your business account for direct-deposit information.

Before you can be approved to work with Amazon Relay, you'll have to meet some mandatory requirements. Most in the transportation industry will remark that Amazon requires more insurance coverage than other companies.

The first key requirements all have to do with your trucking authority. These include:

1. Active FMCSA DOT and MC numbers
2. Authorized for property and for-hire carrier entity type
3. FMCSA Safety Rating of "Not Rated," "None," or "Satisfactory"

A Note on Mandatory Insurance Coverage

Amazon Relay requires you to have five different types of insurance coverage, each with its own minimum coverage limit. Talk with a specialized box truck insurance agent to make sure you get the required coverage

1. Commercial General Liability Insurance - $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate
2. Cargo Insurance Coverage - $100,000
3. Auto Liability Insurance - $1,000,000 per occurrence with trailer replacement coverage of $50,000
4. Employer Liability Insurance - $100,000 per occurrence
5. Workers' Compensation Insurance - A must-have in all jurisdictions where you operate

Workers' compensation insurance may not be required in certain situations. Most commonly, in owner-operator scenarios where there are no employees of the business, workers' compensation coverage isn't required. However, it's highly recommended that you check with CoverWallet and Amazon Relay for more knowledgeable insight as to what you need.

Amazon Relay will verify your insurance coverage with your insurance provider prior to approving your application.

If you're thinking about driving for Amazon Relay, you'll need to ensure that you meet their minimum truck requirements. It's crucial to note that this program is still relatively new, and Amazon may change trucking equipment requirements in the future.

Trailers

Amazon Relay accepts companies with 28-foot trailers, 53-foot dry vans, and reefers.

Tractors

When it comes to tractors, they accept day cabs, sleeper cabs, and box trucks that have interior cargo dimensions of at least 26 feet by 8 feet by 8 feet. All box trucks must have a tuck-under liftgate.

Apart from these vehicle types, Amazon Relay specifies that all vehicles used to haul their goods meet the following basic requirements:

• Safe, well-maintained, sound, and free from any obstructions or damage
• Watertight, free of strong odors, and clean
• Able to withstand a pallet jack fully laden
• Straps firmly fixed to the vehicle

Companies and owner-operators that have cargo vans, sprinter vans, and 24-foot box trucks may wonder if they're capable of driving for Amazon Relay. Unfortunately, they aren't. Only the previously listed truck and trailer combos may be utilized to transport Amazon loads at this time.

As you start to work with Amazon Relay, you'll receive a performance score based on how well you're meeting Amazon's set expectations. While you can view their complete performance expectations in the Amazon Relay Carrier Terms of Service when you become officially onboarded, we're going to give a quick recap of the main requirements here.

There are four main performance metrics:

1. On Time
2. App Usage
3. Disruption Free
4. Acceptance

This is how you will see your Amazon Relay performace

Calculated on a trailing six weeks, your overall Amazon Relay performance percentage will be the average of all four performance metrics for your company. Your Performance Score will be given based on the following grading scheme:

• A+ - 99.9% and above
• A - 98% to 99.8%
• B+ - 95% to 97.9%
• B - 90% to 94.9%
• C+ - 80% to 89.9%
• C - 70% to 80%
• D+ - 60% to 69.9%
• D - 50% to 59.9%
• F - 0% to 49.9%

Your Performance Grade will affect the number of loads that you see, when you see them, and whether or not you get suspended from operating. Amazon Relay doesn't have a set standard published of what happens with each Performance Grade, but some have noted being suspended by the global icon after reaching Performance Grade lows of a D.

Once you submit all the required information to Amazon Relay, they will approve or deny your request within two to four days. Some delays may happen if they're still trying to validate the information that you submitted.

Once approved as an Amazon Relay driver, you'll have immediate access to the load board. You'll be able to start booking loads right away. You'll also get full access to the Amazon Relay Portal FAQs and various operating guides that are intended to assist you in operating safely in the Amazon Relay network.

Amazon Relay can be a great way to increase the number of load opportunities that your business receives. With a little work to get accepted into their network, you can guarantee yourself weekly payments and tons of transport jobs. Remember to contact an agent at CoverWallet today to get all the minimum insurance coverages that you need to be an Amazon Relay carrier or owner-operator.