My First Week as an Amazon DSP Driver
Having worked as a regular Amazon Flex driver for the past few months, I was curious to see how the transition to a full-time Amazon DSP driver would go. In this article, I’ll share my thoughts and experiences from my first full week of driving, examining how it compares to Flex, as well as the differences between DSP 1.0 and DSP 2.0. I’ll also cover the costs involved, including wages after hire and fuel expenses, to give you a clear insight into what the job entails.
Amazon delivery has received a lot of bad press over the years with drivers reporting stressful working conditions, too many deliveries, and a high staff turnover. As we move into 2025, is driving for Amazon any better?
What is Amazon DSP Driving?
Unlike Amazon Flex, where you choose when to deliver based on your availability, Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP) driving requires more commitment. A typical workday lasts around 9 hours, and most DSPs expect you to work at least one weekend day every two weeks. The maximum you can work is six days a week. That said, there is still some flexibility—some drivers choose to work part-time for two or three days a week. As long as you inform your manager of your availability when you join, there shouldn’t be any problems. You could even combine Flex and DSP driving if that suits your schedule better.
You’ll typically deliver anywhere from 60 to 180 stops per day, but you may deliver to multiple addresses in one stop. How many stops you have will depend on your area and route. For example, if the route is an hour from the depot then the two-hour travelling time will be included in the block. That will mean 7 hours delivering plus 2 hours travelling time. If your route is close to the depot, then you’ll likely be doing more drops. Another factor is rural vs urban – if you are doing a rural route with lots of villages and farms, then you’ll have fewer stops but they will be spread out further.
Amazon Delivery 1.0 vs 2.0
There are significant differences between working for a DSP 1.0 or 2.0 logistics company. The 1.0 model is the original setup where you use either a van you already own or the logistics company rents one for you (deducted from your weekly pay). The benefit of this is that you can take the van home at the end of your shift and use it for personal purposes but not side hustles like Deliveroo, Stuart or Uber Eats. You’ll also need a mobile phone for the work. You can use your regular phone or purchase a separate one for work. Your company may provide you with a work phone, but you’ll need to pay for it.
The 2.0 model involves driving the large, grey, Amazon-branded vans. These vans can’t be taken home, and you collect/return them from the depot daily. They’re also equipped with internal and external cameras which (apparently) are only activated in the event of a collision. Typically with 2.0, you’ll do more daily drops and work closer to the depot. You will also be given a mobile device and won’t need to pay for fuel. A typical Amazon 2.0 DSP driver gets paid a flat rate of around £126 per day all-in.
Application Process
Some Delivery Service Partners (DSPs) are well-established logistics businesses with years of experience, while others are pop-up companies just looking to make a quick buck. It’s important to know the difference and do your homework. Amazon delivery jobs are often advertised on sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn, but they’re rarely listed as “Amazon delivery” jobs—probably because of the negative press associated with working for Amazon. Instead, you’ll see them described as local multi-drop driving jobs. Some less honest companies even advertise inflated rates of pay to attract more applicants. The company I went with had a decent 3-out-of-5-star rating. Others were rated as low as 1 star, so it’s advisable to check reviews beforehand—some of these firms can be disorganised and unpleasant to work for.
After an initial phone call with my DSP contact, I received an email invitation to sign up through the Amazon Flex app. If you’re already on Flex, you’ll need to use a different email address for the DSP application. The invitation is sent to the email you’ll use for DSP work. Remember to sign out of your Amazon account on your desktop, or use an incognito browser, to avoid automatically accepting the invitation on your current account.
If you don’t already have the app, download the Flex app from the Android or Apple store to begin the application process. You’ll need documents like your driving licence, passport, birth certificate, proof of address, bank statements, etc. The background check is carried out by a third-party company called Accurate and includes a DBS check. This can take some time—mine took about two weeks.
Once everything checks out, and if you don’t have any skeletons in your cupboard, you’ll be good to go and ready for training and your first ride-along. I completed my basic training a week before my DBS was cleared, but I couldn’t do the ride-along until after that.
Onboarding Process
The onboarding process involves the initial training followed by a two-day ride along and finally a series of ‘nursery routes’. The initial training takes place either at a local Amazon depot or a hotel conference room. I had mine in a hotel along with around 20 other candidates. The training covers everything from road safety, loading your van, delivering correctly, to understanding the app, and lasts around 6-8 hours. You need to download an app called Disprz for the training, and there are multiple-choice questions at the end of each section. It’s fairly straightforward—so long as you pay attention and listen, it’s nearly impossible to fail.
Once the training’s complete, all that’s left is to wait for your security check to clear, and then you’ll be ready to go.
Ride-Along
The ride-along is the second part of onboarding, where you accompany an experienced driver over two days on a typical delivery route. The driver I rode with gave me some invaluable tips and tricks. After a few deliveries, you start working together—many stops require multiple deliveries, so you’ll share the workload. If this is your first time using the app, the ride-along is a great way to familiarise yourself with it.
Nursery Routes
After the two ride-along shifts, you’ll be assigned a vehicle. For the first few weeks, you’ll be delivering on “nursery routes.” Contrary to popular belief, these aren’t necessarily easier than regular routes. The Amazon app uses an algorithm to assess your abilities, and the nursery routes serve to evaluate your performance across different delivery areas. I was up to 100 stops and 175 parcels within my first few days.
For my first shift, I had a fairly easy one with 49 stops in a rural part of Cornwall. All deliveries were to farms and cottages, with a lot of driving up unpaved lanes. I work out of Plymouth and deliver in central Cornwall, so there is over an hour’s drive each way before I even start delivering.
By day three, I was up to 95 stops, all clustered on the outskirts of a large town. After a while, you get into a rhythm, and things start to run a lot smoother. By the end of my first week, I’d worked six consecutive days, as it was just before Christmas and things were busy. Overall, I found it manageable, but It can be tough, with a lot of walking up and down steep driveways and steps. If you’re not very fit, you’ll soon get fitter doing this job.
My shifts started at 10:15 am but this will vary between DSPs. It’s advisable to arrive 15-20 minutes before you start, as you’ll need to complete your van inspection and sign in. You’ll also need to install the eMentor app, which monitors your driving during the shift—driving is one of the metrics your DSP is graded on by Amazon. You can sign into the Amazon app 15 minutes before your shift begins. By scrolling down to the ‘Itinerary’ section, you’ll see how many drops and parcels you have. The tote bags you load onto your van are colour-coded (e.g., yellow, green, black, navy), and these codes correspond to your itinerary.
For loading, you usually get about 15 minutes. It can be hectic as everyone is loading at the same time. You’ll know where your cages are, as the staging area is shown on your app (e.g., STG B21). When you enter the depot, you need to provide your route number to the gate staff (e.g., A37) and follow their directions, keeping your speed to 10 mph. It’s all very regimented, which helps reduce accidents and confusion.
When delivering, it’s important to follow all procedures. For example, if a customer isn’t home, you’ll leave the package in their preferred location, such as a front porch or behind a wheelie bin. If it’s raining, you’ll use a bag to protect the package. Some deliveries, like alcohol or knives, require age verification—you’ll need to enter the customer’s name and birth year into the app. If they’re 25 or under, you’ll need to check their ID. High-value items, like iPads or phones, often require a one-time password (OTP), which you can only enter after receiving the correct code from the customer. Failure to follow this protocol can result in losing your job.
Earnings and Expenses
Your earnings as an Amazon driver will vary, depending on your DSP and area. I’m currently paid £175 per day. Van hire through my DSP costs £235 per week, which includes a damage waiver—so if you damage the van, you only pay the excess. Make sure your DSP offers this, as you could get stung for a big bill, even for minor damage.
If you choose to hire a van, you’ll need to pay a deposit and sign a hire agreement. The deposit will be deducted from your first few week’s pay—I had an initial payment of £250, followed by three payments of £50.
In addition to the daily pay rate, there is a performance bonus which is paid regularly. The DSP will need to meet certain targets and criteria to be eligible for this bonus. The bonus is then shared between the drivers. This incentive scheme is aimed at improving metrics like delivery compliance, number of concessions (customer complaints), safe driving, etc.
Hiring a Van vs Buying Your Own
There are pros and cons to using a van you already own versus hiring one. A big positive is a hire van will be less than three years old and insurance will be included in the price. I currently use a Ford Transit Custom which is nice to drive and it’s economical (very important when you’re covering the mileage).
Alternatively, you could consider buying a new or used van on hire purchase. However, I wouldn’t recommend making any long-term financial commitments until you’ve been doing the job for at least a few months.
If you already own a van, it will need to be cosmetically sound and in good mechanical condition. At the very least, it should be a short-wheelbase panel van – A few drivers use crew vans with the rear seats removed. You will need to set aside a portion of your earnings to cover maintenance and pay for hire and reward insurance which can be expensive.
Other Expenses
Amazon also pays a daily phone allowance of £1.80, which adds up to £10.80 per week if you work six days. The van hire includes hire-and-reward insurance, servicing, tyres, AdBlue, and other maintenance costs. If you use a van you already own, you’re responsible for all of the above, including wear and tear. Fuel is also another big cost. In my first week, my fuel bill was £128, but I covered on average around 100 miles per day.
Summary of Potential Earnings
So, let’s break down the earnings based on my current mileage: £184 x 6 days is £1104 (including mobile allowance) minus £235 for van hire and £128 for fuel. That leaves £741 for the week. That works out at £123 per day, divided over 9 hours is £13.72 per hour – not a bad rate of pay.
If you choose to use a suitable van you already own, the figures are a lot more appealing: £1104 per week minus £128 for fuel, £50 for insurance and £50 set aside for maintenance would leave a net pay (before tax) of £876. This equates to £146 per day or £16.68 per hour.
The table below shows the differences in pay over 4, 5 and 6 days using a hire van or a van you own (maintenance, fuel and insurance costs have been included). This is based on my DSP and current mileage – this figure will vary depending on who you work for, mileage and area.
| Days Worked | Weekly Earnings | Fuel | Net Pay (After Expenses, Before Tax) | Daily Pay | Hourly Rate (9 hours/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Days (Hiring Van) | £736 | £85 | £416 | £104 | £11.55 |
| 5 Days (Hiring Van) | £920 | £107 | £578 | £116 | £12.85 |
| 6 Days (Hiring Van) | £1,104 | £128 | £741 | £124 | £13.72 |
| 4 Days (Own Van) | £736 | £85 | £551 | £137.75 | £15.31 |
| 5 Days (Own Van) | £920 | £107 | £713 | £142.60 | £15.84 |
| 6 Days (Own Van) | £1,104 | £128 | £876 | £146.00 | £16.22 |
Paying Tax on Your Earnings
Remember, you’ll need to pay taxes on your earnings, just like any other business. This means you’ll need to register for self-employment and be responsible for submitting a Self-Assessment tax return to HMRC each year. It’s a good idea to keep detailed records of all your earnings and outgoings—such as van hire costs, fuel, insurance, and any other business-related expenses—as these can be deducted from your income before tax is calculated. Be sure to set aside a portion of your earnings to cover your tax liabilities. If you’re unsure about how to manage your taxes, consider consulting an accountant or tax professional to ensure you’re meeting your obligations and not paying more than necessary.
Amazon Flex vs DSP Driving: Which is Better?
With Amazon Flex, you have the freedom to choose when you work. The downside is that it’s highly competitive in some areas, and there’s no guarantee of securing jobs. You also need to check the app frequently, as delivery blocks tend to appear and disappear quickly. When I worked with Flex, I had weeks where I earned nearly £600. However, the increased mileage and wear and tear on my family car started to take its toll after just a couple of months.
With Amazon DSP driving, while you’re technically still self-employed, it’s more like a full-time job. You might work six days a week during busy periods, driving 9 to 10 hours per day. The workload is significantly higher than with Flex, and you’re monitored much more closely—both for your delivery performance and driving behaviour. You’re also part of a team, which means poor performance on your part can impact the entire team and any bonuses they might receive. This adds a layer of pressure you don’t face as an independent Flex driver.
Having experienced both, and despite only being a DSP driver for just over a week, I’d say I enjoyed the independence of Flex but appreciate the regularity of work provided by the DSP. I aim to save up for a van, which will significantly improve my earning potential.
Alternatives to Amazon Delivery Driving
If you’re looking for a full-time multi-drop delivery career as an owner-driver, there are several well-known alternatives to Amazon. Here’s a brief overview of each:
Parcelforce
Parcelforce, like Amazon, are a household name. As part of the Royal Mail Group, they provide opportunities for owner-drivers to deliver parcels across designated routes. Owner-drivers working with Parcelforce can expect consistent workloads, established delivery networks, and the prestige of working with a long-standing British institution.
DPD
DPD is another leading parcel delivery company that’s a familiar sight on UK roads. They are always advertising for owner-drivers and offer a competitive earning potential and support through their franchise model. DPD also offers structured routes, comprehensive training, and access to their growing network of clients and customers.
Yodel
Yodel specialises in parcel delivery for some of the UK’s largest online retailers, providing a high volume of packages for owner-drivers. Yodel’s delivery contracts offer flexibility while maintaining a steady flow of work. Their focus on regional deliveries makes them an appealing choice for those who prefer to operate within a specific area.
Evri
Evri offers full-time delivery opportunities for owner-drivers across the UK. Known for its flexible working arrangements and focus on residential deliveries, Evri provides a high level of autonomy. Owner-drivers are supported with technology-driven delivery tools and an expanding customer network, making it a viable option for those new to multi-drop roles.
Same-Day Courier Business
If the thought of doing over 100 drops per day doesn’t float your boat, then you could start a courier business specialising in time-critical same-day deliveries. Unlike multi-drop where you are paid a set rate per day, being a self-employed courier is much more scalable with a great earning potential. Unfortunately, it does have its downsides, like much higher driving mileage and no guarantee of regular work.
Conclusion
So what did I think of my first week as an Amazon driver? While the job can feel a bit monotonous at times, once you find your rhythm, it’s quite manageable. I plan to stick with it for a few months while I continue to grow MediaThrive. The regular pay is a big plus—and if I need to scale back my hours in future, I can easily contact my manager to adjust my availability.
That said, it’s not for everyone. Multi-drop deliveries can be both mentally and physically demanding. However, if you’re up for the challenge, it’s definitely worth considering—and the pay isn’t bad either.
