Amazon Relay 'F' Score and Its Consequences
- Michael Carter
- Oct 21
- 4 min read
Think of Amazon Relay like a game with two sets of rules. You have Amazon's own report card, grading you on performance.
You need to follow important safety rules that the government makes and that Amazon checks. If you don’t follow these rules, you could get a bad grade ('F') and not be able to work. In some cases, you might even be banned for good.
To keep your business winning, you have to play smart, and that starts with knowing the rules inside and out.
What Happens When Your Score Drops to 'F'
A low score, especially an 'F', is a serious problem for your business. It’s not just a bad grade; it triggers real penalties that can stop your income.
You Lose Access to Good Freight: A low score puts you last in line for spot loads, steady work, and contracts, often leaving you with the less desirable jobs other carriers have already passed on.
Your Account Can Be Suspended or Banned: If your performance doesn’t improve, Amazon can suspend your account immediately, cutting off your access to the load board and Relay income.
Staying at an ‘F’ for a month can lead to a permanent ban, a serious hit for any business relying on Amazon work.
Why a High Score is Your Most Valuable Asset
Your Amazon Relay performance score it's the key that unlocks the best and most profitable work on the platform. Keeping your score high means you get better jobs and build a stronger business.
Get First Pick of the Best Loads: The Amazon load board is like a VIP list. Carriers with high scores get to see and book the best loads first, especially during busy times like holidays and Prime week.
Unlock Steady Work with Contracts: The most reliable jobs, called contracts, are only available to carriers who keep a 'B' grade or higher. A good score is your ticket to more predictable income.
Receive Special Perks: Top-performing carriers can get extra benefits, like early access to new contract offers, giving you a big advantage over the competition.
Build a Good Reputation: A great score shows Amazon that you are a professional and trustworthy partner, which helps you grow your business in the long run
Protecting Your Score and Appealing Deactivation
The best way to deal with a low score in 2025 is to prevent it from happening. Being careful and prepared is always the best strategy.
How to Stay Ahead of Problems:
Check Daily: Look at your Relay dashboard and your safety scores every single day. This helps you spot small problems before they get bigger.
Train Your Drivers: Make sure every driver knows how to use the Relay app perfectly. This includes keeping their phone's location services on to avoid simple mistakes.
Be Smart About Loads: It's okay to say "no" to a job that looks risky. Protecting your On-Time score is often more important than accepting every single load.
How to Appeal If You're Deactivated:
If your account gets shut down, you need to send Amazon a formal Plan of Action (POA).
This is a serious business letter, not a complaint. It must clearly explain three things :
The Main Reason: Tell them exactly what went wrong.
What You Fixed: Explain the steps you've already taken to fix it.
How You'll Prevent It: Describe the new rules you've put in place to make sure it never happens again.
Don't Just Track Your Score, Master It
Reacting to a bad score is stressful and costly. The key to long-term success on Amazon Relay is to be proactive and stay ahead of the metrics.
But managing every detail manually while running your business is a challenge. A higher grade doesn't just look good; it means more money.
See how improving your grade can increase your annual profit. See for yourself how much more you could be earning.
Knowing your score potential is the first step. Our Amazon Relay Dispatch Service is designed to get you there.
FAQs
1. What is the Amazon Relay performance score?
It’s like a report card from Amazon that grades your company's work over the last six weeks. It looks at how well you handle their loads, from being on time to using their app correctly. Your grade can range from A+ to F.
2. What are the main things Amazon grades me on?
Amazon's report card focuses on four key metrics :
On-Time Performance: Arriving at your pickups and deliveries by the scheduled time.
Acceptance: The rate at which you accept the jobs Amazon offers you.
App Usage: Correctly using the Relay for Driver app for the entire trip.
Disruption-Free: Completing your trips without problems, like a stationary trailer.
3. What happens if I get an 'F' score?
An 'F' score is a serious issue. You will lose access to the best loads and will not be eligible for contracts. If your score stays low, Amazon can suspend your account, which means you can't book any loads. A continued 'F' score can lead to your account being permanently banned from the platform.
4. What is a CSA score and why does Amazon care about it?
A CSA score is your official safety grade from the government (FMCSA). Amazon checks this score very closely and has its own safety rules that are even stricter than the government's. If your safety score gets too high (which is bad), Amazon can suspend your account, even if your performance score on their report card is perfect.
5. What are the benefits of keeping my score high?
A high score (a 'B' grade or better) is like a VIP pass. You get priority access to see and book the best loads, especially during busy times like Prime week and the holidays. Most importantly, a high score makes you eligible for contracts, which provide steady, predictable work and income for your business.
6. My account was deactivated. Can I get it back?
It’s possible to get your account back by filing an appeal. To do this, you must send Amazon a formal document called a Plan of Action, often called a POA.
7. How long does an appeal usually take?
Most appeals receive a decision from Amazon within a few business days. However, if the issue is more complex, such as a safety or fraud investigation, it can take longer.
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