Load boards and programs | Load program
Amazon Relay requirements: what you need before you can book
Updated
Amazon Relay is Amazon's own freight program, where approved carriers book Amazon freight directly in the Relay app or portal. Joining costs nothing, and Relay pays weekly, on the Friday after each Sunday to Saturday load week. Carriers need 180 days of active interstate authority, a valid MC, $1 million auto liability, $100,000 cargo and $1 million general liability. It takes power only and 53-foot dry vans and reefers, plus 16- or 26-foot box trucks with a tuck-under liftgate.
At a glance
- Best for
- Carriers past 180 days of authority with $1 million auto and general liability and $100,000 cargo
- Price
- No subscription fee or cost to join
- Authority age
- 180 days
- Insurance
- $1 million auto, $100,000 cargo and $1 million general liability
- Booking
- Approved carriers book loads in Relay
- Payment
- Weekly, paid the Friday after the load week
- Equipment
- Box truck, Dry van, Reefer, Power only
Our take
Relay opens Amazon's freight to carriers with 180 days of authority and pays them every week. With Post A Truck, matching power-only loads can book themselves.
A new authority can start the application early, but Relay won't approve you to haul until your interstate authority has been active for 180 days. If no follow-up arrives within two weeks, make sure your FMCSA contact details exactly match your application.
Price the full insurance package before you apply: general liability with a $2 million aggregate, $100,000 employers liability, workers comp where you operate and $50,000 for trailer replacement inside your auto liability. Check your CSA scores too, since Unsafe Driving and Hours of Service must be under 60%.
Pros
- No subscription fee or cost to join
- Weekly pay on the Friday after each load week, with invoices generated automatically
- Book loads directly in Relay, and Post A Truck can automatically book matching power-only freight
- Takes 16- and 26-foot box trucks with a tuck-under liftgate, plus 53-foot dry vans, reefers and power only
- Safety rewards in collision-free mileage tiers for approved carriers with at least one load in the past 12 months and an eligible dash cam that shares collision data
Cons
- Requires 180 days of active interstate authority before you can haul
- Insurance includes $1 million general liability with a $2 million aggregate, $100,000 employers liability, workers comp where you operate and $50,000 trailer replacement within auto liability
- Unsafe Driving and Hours of Service scores must be under 60%
- Driver violation rate of 35% or lower and vehicle violation rate of 50% or lower
- Safety rating must be Satisfactory or not rated
- Every driver needs identity verification and a background check before hauling
- Subsidized cameras need at least 12,000 Relay miles a year, and setup repayment may be required if eligibility ends
Can a new authority use it
| What | Amazon Relay | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New authorities | You can apply early, but need 180 days of authority to join or haul The 180 days is active DOT interstate authority. A valid MC number is also required. | Its own pageSame since 2024 |
| Minimum authority age | 180 days The FAQ describes this as an active DOT number with interstate authority. | Its own page |
| Authority you need | Active DOT interstate authority and a valid MC You must be a for-hire property carrier. | Its own page |
| Insurance | $1 million auto, $100,000 cargo and $1 million general liability Auto and general liability limits are per occurrence. General liability also has a $2 million aggregate. Trailer replacement coverage is $50,000. Employers liability is $100,000 per occurrence. Workers comp is required in the jurisdictions where you operate. These amounts come from the US Relay FAQ. | Its own pageSame since 2024 |
| Other sign-up rules | Safety score and violation limits, plus driver background checks Relay publishes limits on safety scores and violation rates. Approved drivers complete identity verification, a background check and Relay onboarding. The full thresholds are in the Relay FAQ. These are in addition to the authority age requirement. | Its own page |
Booking, rates and pay
| What | Amazon Relay | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | Approved carriers book loads in Relay Post A Truck can automatically book matching power-only freight. | Its own pageSame since 2025 |
| Payment | Weekly, paid the Friday after the load week The pay week runs Sunday to Saturday. Invoices are generated automatically. | Its own pageSame since 2024 |
Equipment it lists
- Box truck
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Power only
Box trucks are listed at 16 or 26 foot and need a tuck-under liftgate. Dry vans and reefers are listed at 53 feet.
Frequently asked questions
Does Amazon Relay work with new authority?
You can apply early, but Relay requires 180 days of active interstate authority and a valid MC before you can join or haul.
What insurance does Amazon Relay require?
$1 million auto liability per occurrence, which must include $50,000 for trailer replacement, plus $100,000 cargo and $1 million general liability per occurrence with a $2 million aggregate. Relay also requires $100,000 employers liability per occurrence and workers comp in the jurisdictions where you operate.
How does Amazon Relay pay carriers?
Relay pays weekly. Loads completed in the Sunday to Saturday pay week are paid the following Friday, and invoices are generated automatically.
Does Amazon Relay cost anything to join?
No. Relay has no subscription fee or cost to join.
What are Amazon Relay's CSA requirements?
Unsafe Driving and Hours of Service scores must be under 60%, and Vehicle Maintenance, Driver Fitness and Controlled Substances and Alcohol scores must be under 75%. The driver violation rate must be 35% or lower and the vehicle violation rate 50% or lower.
Can box trucks haul for Amazon Relay?
Yes. Box trucks must be 26 foot or 16 foot with a working tuck-under liftgate.
Does Amazon Relay have power only loads?
Yes. Power only is one of Relay's listed equipment types, and Post A Truck can automatically book matching power-only freight.
What if my Amazon Relay application is rejected?
Read the rejection reason and fix any insurance, authority or paperwork problem before you reapply. A serious compliance problem can rule out a second application.