How To Become An Amazon Flex Driver In The UK
To become an Amazon Flex driver, you need a valid UK driving licence, a mid-size car or larger, and hire and reward insurance. The sign-up process takes around 10 minutes through the Amazon Flex app, with a background check that typically clears within a few days.
Amazon Flex lets you deliver parcels on your own schedule, choosing delivery blocks that fit around your other commitments.
You work as a self-employed independent contractor, not an Amazon employee. That means you are responsible for your own insurance, tax, and vehicle costs.
To drive for Amazon Flex you need a valid UK licence, a mid-size car or larger, and hire and reward insurance. Standard car insurance does not cover paid delivery work, so getting the right cover sorted is the first real step.
Compare Amazon Flex insurance quotes to get covered before your first block.
What are the requirements to drive for Amazon Flex?
You must be at least 18 years old with a valid full UK driving licence and the legal right to work in the UK. Provisional licences are not accepted.
| Requirement | Detail |
| Age | 18 or over |
| Driving licence | Valid full UK or EU driving licence |
| Vehicle | Mid-size car or larger (4-door, 5+ seats) or van |
| Smartphone | iPhone (iOS 17+) or Android (8.1+) with 3GB+ RAM |
| Insurance | Hire and reward insurance (not standard car insurance) |
| Right to work | Legal right to work in the UK |
| Background check | Clean DBS check (arranged through the app) |
What vehicle do you need?
Your vehicle must be a mid-size car or larger with at least five seats and four doors. Vans and enclosed bed pickup trucks also qualify.
If you use a van, you will also need separate van insurance alongside your hire and reward cover. Smaller cars and two-door vehicles are not eligible.
What smartphone do you need?
You need an iPhone running iOS 17 or later, or an Android phone running 8.1 (Oreo) or later. The phone must have at least 3GB of RAM, GPS, a camera with flash, and an active internet connection.
How do you sign up for Amazon Flex?
Download the Amazon Flex app, create an account with your personal details, and submit your driving licence for verification. The whole process takes around 10 minutes.
Step 1: Download the app
The Amazon Flex app is available on the App Store and Google Play. You can also start the process at flex.amazon.co.uk.
Step 2: Enter your details
You will need your full name, email address, phone number, UK driving licence number, and National Insurance number. Have these ready before you start.
Step 3: Complete the background check
Amazon runs a background check that covers your driving record and criminal history. Amazon states this takes approximately 10 business days, though some drivers report clearance in as little as two to five days.
Step 4: Set up your insurance
Before you can start delivering, you need hire and reward insurance. Standard car insurance and business class policies do not cover paid parcel delivery.
Our Amazon Flex insurance guide explains exactly what cover you need and how much it costs.
What insurance do you need for Amazon Flex?
You need hire and reward insurance as a minimum. This covers your vehicle for carrying goods in exchange for payment, which is a legal requirement under the Road Traffic Act.
What cover types are available?
Most drivers buy a combined courier insurance policy that bundles hire and reward with SD&P (social, domestic and pleasure), goods in transit, and public liability.
How much does it cost?
Annual policies range from £800 to £2,500 depending on your vehicle, age, and driving history. Pay-as-you-go options start from around £0.22 per hour.
Our courier insurance cost guide has a full breakdown of pricing and what affects the premium.
What happens without hire and reward?
Delivering on a personal or business class policy means you are driving without valid insurance. You face a £300 fine, six penalty points, and possible vehicle seizure.
How do delivery blocks work?
Delivery blocks are time slots you book through the Amazon Flex app. Each block lasts between three and six hours, and you collect parcels from a local delivery station.
How do you book a block?
Open the app and check the available offers for your area. Blocks appear based on demand and can fill up quickly, so check regularly.
What happens during a block?
You drive to the delivery station, load your vehicle with the assigned parcels, and follow the in-app route to deliver them. The app handles navigation, package scanning, and delivery confirmation.
What are surge and reserved offers?
Surge blocks appear during peak demand and pay a higher rate. Reserved offers are blocks Amazon assigns to you based on your performance and availability.
How much can you earn as an Amazon Flex driver?
Amazon Flex pays between £13 and £17 per hour depending on the block type, location, and demand. Surge blocks during busy periods can pay more.
| Hours per Week | Estimated Weekly Earnings | Estimated Monthly Earnings |
| 10 hours (part-time) | £130–£170 | £520–£680 |
| 20 hours | £260–£340 | £1,040–£1,360 |
| 30 hours | £390–£510 | £1,560–£2,040 |
| 40 hours (full-time) | £520–£680 | £2,080–£2,720 |
What costs do you need to factor in?
These are gross figures before expenses. You will need to deduct fuel, insurance, vehicle maintenance, and tax.
Our Amazon Flex earnings guide breaks down take-home pay after costs.
How do you increase your earnings?
Book surge blocks during peak demand periods like evenings, weekends, and Prime Day. Some drivers combine Flex with other delivery platforms to fill gaps in their schedule.
Our Amazon Flex vs Uber comparison covers the pros and cons of running multiple platforms.
Do you need to register as self-employed?
Yes, as a Flex driver you are self-employed and must register with HMRC as soon as you start earning.
You will need to file a Self Assessment tax return each year and keep records of your income and expenses.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
You need a valid full UK or EU driving licence. Check the latest post-Brexit rules if you hold an EU licence, as you may need to exchange it.
Your reliability rating drops, which can affect future block availability. Cancel at least 45 minutes before the start to avoid penalties.
No, Amazon Flex requires a mid-size car or larger. Motorbikes, bicycles, and small cars are not eligible.
Yes, Amazon runs a background check as part of the sign-up process. This covers your driving record and criminal history.
Yes, many drivers combine Flex with Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or other courier work. Check that your insurance covers all the platforms you work for.
No, Amazon stopped providing its Additional Cover policy in 2022. You must arrange your own Amazon Flex insurance before you start delivering.
Annual policies typically cost £800–£2,500, with pay-as-you-go options from around £0.22 per hour. See our courier insurance cost guide for a full breakdown.