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Your Guide to the Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program
June 17, 2021

It’s impossible to think of the trucking industry without considering Amazon. In 2019, the company delivered 4.5 billion packages in the United States. Their Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program enables anyone with some startup capital the opportunity to get involved in their massively successful business venture. There are pros and cons to becoming an Amazon DSP, but the steady stream of work is certainly eye-catching to start-up trucking companies. Amazon lays out some of the most important information, but let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions.

What Is a Delivery Service Partner?

It’s exactly what it sounds like—you become a delivery partner for Amazon. You operate the business entirely on your own, including business set up (Gold Star can help!), hiring (link to “Hiring Truck Drivers: Top 3 Strategies from a Pro”), and managing, but you deliver packages on behalf of Amazon. Amazon bills this as an ideal startup operation for people of all kinds, not just those with a background in logistics.

What Are the Steps of Becoming an Amazon Delivery Service Partner?

Becoming an Amazon Delivery Service Partner begins with an online application, which asks questions aimed at uncovering your work experience, leadership skills, financial health, community involvement, and geographic preferences. In addition to this application, much like an employment application, you will be expected to pass a credit check, background check, and MVR.



After this initial step, if you’re selected to move forward, you will partake in a screening interview. Following the screening interview, you will attend a live webinar with a current Amazon DSP owner, who will answer any questions you hav. Finally, you will move on to the final round of virtual interviews.

Do I Have to Supply My Own Vehicles?

Yes, delivery partners with Amazon are required to supply their own fleet of vans. Amazon does have specific vehicle specification requirements, and you are expected to meet these qualifications. Amazon also has pre-negotiated flexible lease rates for any startup delivery services who don’t currently own a fleet of vans but want to lease Amazon-branded vans to get started.

What Are the Costs Associated with Becoming an Amazon Delivery Service Partner?

While the actual startup costs associated with becoming an Amazon Delivery Service Partner are only about $10,000 (including business set-up but not including leasing or purchasing vans), Amazon does require proof of $30,000 in liquid assets to begin. Learn more about this in Amazon’s detailed FAQ.

How Does Amazon Pay Me?

Amazon’s payment structure is broken down into three parts. You will receive a fixed monthly payment, the amount of which is based upon the number of vans you operate. You will also receive a route rate dependent upon the length of the route. And finally, you’ll be paid per successful package delivery. Amazon projects that, if you operate between 20 and 40 vans, you can make between $1M and $4.5M in revenue, with annual profits of $75K to $300K.

What Supports Does Amazon Provide?

While you are expected to do the day-to-day work—including setting up your business, building and coaching your team, delivering packages, and growing your business—Amazon does provide support to help you get started. They have negotiated deals for Amazon-branded delivery vans, insurance, hand-held devices, payroll technology, and more. They also provide two weeks of hand-on training and a comprehensive toolkit, including the technology needed to smoothly interface with them. Finally, you will be connected with a dedicated business coach and area manager and ongoing support from their team.


Want to become an Amazon Delivery Services Partner but find business set up intimidating? Gold Star offers several business set up packages that can get you started.

Your Guide to DOT Background Check Requirements for Drivers

June 17, 2021
A thorough, compliant background screening program for your drivers should be the backbone of your hiring strategy. Background checks ensure that your new drivers have all of the qualifications necessary to do the job well and to best represent your company out on the road. Background checks also, of course, weed out any drivers with disqualifying criminal histories, a history of driving violations, and substance abuse problems. That’s why they should be a standard part of your fleet safety program anyway (link to “Fleet Safety Program: 4 Important Things to Remember”). In our regulated industry, a DOT background check is required. Here’s how DOT background check requirements differ from standard employment screening.

Will Truck Driving Be Automated?

June 17, 2021
It’s the question on the minds of truck drivers, owners, and delivery companies everywhere: will truck driving be automated? Automated trucks have been a conversation point for years now, with many worrying that technology advances will put millions of people out of work. Despite these concerns, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5% growth for trucking employment in the coming years. While other industries struggle to adapt to new technology, the trucking industry is greatly benefiting from it. There are a range of opinions when it comes to this question, though most truck drivers seem confident that their jobs can’t (or at least won’t) be done by machines any time soon. Before getting into the trucking industry, it’s important that you take a look at the landscape and make an educated decision about it—but remember there will always be a need to move goods from one place to another, and the explosion in online ordering suggests that need is only going to expand. Let’s take a look at the current state of automated trucks as we dive into the question: will truck driving be automated?

What Is Carbon Neutral Shipping & How Do Companies Become Carbon Neutral?

June 17, 2021
Trucking and logistics is no longer just about getting materials from point A to point B. Much like consumers want to buy their products from socially responsible corporations or boycott businesses that don’t align with their beliefs, many companies want to work with trucking companies that prove they care about the environment. Whether due to their personal beliefs, to the corporate responsibility goals they’re mandated to meet, or to a desire to please their own customer base, you’re serving clients who will ask about your carbon neutral shipping practices sooner rather than later. Now is the time to start taking this topic seriously. Do you find yourself asking “what is carbon neutral shipping anyway?” Are you wondering why carbon neutral shipping might be a benefit? Curious to know how companies become carbon neutral? Keep reading to discover the answers to all of your questions about this climate-responsible approach to business.

What Do I Need to Start a Trucking Company?

June 17, 2021
The trucking industry landscape is largely made up of small businesses—with over 90% of companies operating fewer than seven trucks—so there is room for you if you’re considering starting a small trucking business. Whether you’re a professional truck driver already or you’re just a prospective business owner looking to cash in on the projected growth in the industry, you can get on the road toward a successful business with our help. What do you need to start your own trucking business? Just a little bit of insight from Gold Star’s experts.

The Facts & Figures: How Much Does it Cost to Start a Trucking Company?

June 17, 2021
Are you ready to work for yourself? Find yourself wondering how much does it cost to start a trucking company? Some estimates anticipate between $10,000 and $20,000 to get started with a small trucking company, assuming you don’t have to factor in the average cost of a semi truck. What goes into the cost of starting a logistics company? Let’s take a look.

Preparing for the 2021 International Roadcheck

June 17, 2021
As a big supporter of managing a fleet of well-maintained, safe trucks (link to Fleet Safety Program: 4 Important Things to Remember), Gold Star looks forward to the International Roadcheck every year. This three-day event focuses on motor carrier, vehicle, and driver safety. In 2021, it will run from May 4th to May 6th. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), a nonprofit organization made up of motor vehicle safety officials and industry representatives, leads the cause. Over a 72-hour period, tens of thousands of commercial vehicle inspections will occur across the continent. It is the “largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world,” boasting that “nearly 15 trucks or buses [are] inspected, on average, every minute across North America” during the event (per the CVSA website ).
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