How to Sign Up for Amazon Relay (2025)

Amazon Relay offers direct access to thousands of daily loads and reliable weekly pay, but its automated application is notoriously strict. 

One small mistake on your company details or insurance can lead to frustrating delays and rejections. 

This guide is your pro playbook. We will walk you through every step to ensure you get approved on the first try.

Amazon Relay Carrier Requirements

Before you fill out a single field, Amazon's automated system checks your public carrier data. If you don't meet these minimum requirements, the system will reject your application. 

Let's make sure you pass this first test.  

Your Authority & Operational History (U.S. Carriers)

• DOT & MC Numbers: You must have a valid U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number and a valid Motor Carrier (MC) number.  

• The 180-Day 'Seasoning' Rule: This is the most important filter. Your DOT number must have interstate authority that has been active for a minimum of 180 days.  

  • Pro-Tip: You can technically apply before your 180 days are up. Amazon will simply place your application in a pending queue, but you will not be approved until you cross that 180-day mark.  

• Entity Type: Your FMCSA filing must be a "Carrier" entity type that is "Authorized for Property" and "for Hire".  

Your Company's "Report Card" (FMCSA Safety Scores)

Amazon holds its carriers to a high standard of safety. Your public FMCSA profile must show:

• Safety Rating: A "Satisfactory," "None," or "Not Rated" rating. A "Conditional" or "Unsatisfactory" rating is an automatic disqualifier.  

• BASIC Scores: You must be below these specific percentiles. Failing even one of these can get you denied :  

  • Unsafe Driving: Below 60%

  • HOS Compliance: Below 60%

  • Vehicle Maintenance: Below 75%

  • Controlled Substances / Alcohol: Below 75%

  • Driver Fitness: Below 75%

Amazon Relay Truck and Equipment Requirements

This program is for middle-mile freight, not last-mile packages.

• The Big Exception: Cargo vans are NOT accepted for Amazon Relay.  

• Accepted Equipment Includes :  

  • Tractors: Day cabs and sleeper cabs.

  • Trailers: 53’ dry vans, 53’ reefers, and 48’ trailers.

  • Box Trucks: 26’ and 16’ models. Crucial Detail: They must be dock-height and have a functional tuck-under lift-gate.  

  • Intermodal: 20’, 40’, and 45’ containers (requires UIIA certification).

Amazon Relay Insurance Requirements (The #1 Cause of Delays)

Listen closely, because this is the single most important part of your application. Amazon states clearly that the number one reason for application delays is the validation of insurance information

Your application's insurance check is automated. If your policy is missing a single requirement or your agent is slow to respond, your application will remain in a "pending" status indefinitely.

The Non-Negotiable Coverage (U.S. Carriers)

Before you apply, you must have policies with these exact minimums:

Policy Type	Minimum Coverage Amount
Commercial General Liability	$1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate
Auto Liability	$1,000,000 per occurrence
Cargo Coverage	$100,000
Workers' Compensation	Required in all jurisdictions where you operate
Employer Liability	$100,000 per occurrence

The "Secret" Requirement You Can't Miss

Look at that list again. Tucked inside the Auto Liability policy is a non-standard requirement that trips up most carriers:

• You must have $50,000 in trailer replacement coverage.

This is not typically included in a standard policy. It’s an endorsement you must specifically ask for. It covers Amazon's trailer when you're hauling power-only loads. If you apply without it, you will be rejected.

Pro-Tips for a Flawless Insurance Validation

Don't let an automated system fail you. Do these three things before you submit your application:

1. The "Verbatim" Match: The system is not human. If your Certificate of Insurance (COI) says "Progressive Southeast Insurance Company," you must enter that exact name. If you just type "Progressive," the automated match will fail, and you'll be delayed.

2. Use the Right Contacts: Do not use a generic "info@" email. Get the direct email address and phone number for your specific insurance agent or the person in their office who handles COI requests. This is where the automated verifier will send its request.

3. Give Your Agent a Heads-Up: Call your agent today. Email them the exact list of requirements from the table above. Tell them to add the $50,000 trailer replacement coverage. Most importantly, tell them to expect an automated verification request from Amazon (or a third party like RMIS) and to respond to it immediately.

The 20-Minute Amazon Relay Application

Once your pre-application audit is done and your insurance is in order, the application itself is fast. Amazon says it can take as little as 20 minutes. The key here is precision.  

Where to Apply

Scammers and confusing portals are common. Use only these two official links:

1. Official Website: relay.amazon.com  

2. Official App: The "Amazon Relay" app on the iOS or Android store  

Warning: Do NOT try to apply through other portals. You will fail.

• Do NOT use carriercentral.amazon.com: This is a separate portal for vendors and sellers to schedule their own inbound freight.  

• Do NOT use amazon.jobs: This is for hiring Amazon employees.  

• Do NOT trust third-party load boards: Amazon only tenders loads directly through its own Relay portal and app.  

The Application Flow

Here are the exact steps you'll follow.

1. Sign In: Go to relay.amazon.com and click "Sign in." You can use your existing Amazon (shopping) account or click "Create new account".  

2. DOT Number: The very first thing it asks for is your DOT number. The system will "confirm your information instantly".  

3. Company Details: THIS IS A CRITICAL STEP. The system is automated. Your legal company name and address must match your FMCSA filing "down to the last dash".  

   • Pro-Tip: Open your company's FMCSA SAFER profile in another browser tab and copy-paste your name and address directly from there.

4. OTP Verification: The system will send a one-time password to your email or phone to verify you are who you say you are.  

5. Equipment Inventory: You will select the equipment you operate from a list (e.g., "53' dry van," "26' box truck").  

6. Payment Information: Enter your bank account and routing information so you can get paid weekly.  

7. Insurance Details: You will enter the policy and agent information you prepared in Phase 2.

8. Agree & Submit: Review the Carrier Terms of Service and submit your application.

"You're Approved for Amazon Relay!"... Now What?

Receiving your approval email, which can take anywhere from one to three weeks , is a great feeling. But don't log in expecting to book a load immediately. 

You’ve just completed Stage 1 (Company Approval); you must now complete Stage 2 (Driver Approval).  

The Carrier (Your Company)

Your approval email will provide instructions on how to access your new Relay account. Once you log in, you must immediately:  

1. Complete Training: Finish the mandatory "Relay 101" training in the learning center. It's short, taking only about 10 minutes.  

2. Add Your Assets: Go to your profile and add your trucks and a list of your drivers.  

The Driver (The Individual)

This is the step that trips up new carriers. You cannot haul freight until you have at least one fully vetted driver.

You must invite your drivers (or yourself, if you're an owner-operator) to the platform. Then, each driver must individually log in to the Relay app and :  

1. Verify Identity: Submit a selfie and a clear photo of their driver's license.  

2. Pass a Background Check: Provide their details to initiate a standardized background check, which they must pass.  

You cannot book or haul any loads until your company has completed the Relay 101 training and you have at least one driver in your system who has been fully approved, verified, and passed their background check.

Amazon Relay, Your New Freight Partner

The Amazon Relay application is a strict, automated gauntlet, but it's not a mystery. By treating it as a pre-application checklist rather than just a form, you can avoid 99% of the common frustrations and delays.

You now have the complete playbook to get your authority, safety scores, and insurance in perfect order before you apply. 

Prepare your documents, follow these steps precisely, and you'll be set for a smooth, one-time approval. 

Welcome to the Amazon Relay network.

FAQs

How Long Does It Take to Approve the Application? 

Approval or rejection typically takes 1 to 3 weeks for U.S. carriers and 1 to 4 weeks for EU/UK carriers.  

Why is my Application Delayed? 

The most common reason for delays is the validation of your insurance information. Call your agent to ensure they responded to Amazon's verification request.  

I Was Rejected. Can I Reapply? 

If your rejection was for a resolvable issue like insurance coverage, authority status, or missing documents. If you were rejected for serious compliance issues, you may be disqualified from reapplying.  

Do I Really Have to Wait 180 Days to Apply? 

You can apply with a DOT number younger than 180 days, but your application will be held in a pending queue. You cannot be fully approved and onboarded until your authority has been active for 180 days.  

I Was Approved, But I Can't Book Loads. Why? 

After your company is approved, your drivers must also be onboarded. Each driver must submit a selfie, a photo of their driver's license, and pass a background check before they can haul loads.  

Does Amazon Relay Accept Cargo Vans? 

Cargo vans are explicitly not accepted. The program requires equipment like tractors (day cabs, sleepers), box trucks (16'/26' with lift-gates), and trailers (53'/48' dry van, reefer, etc.).  

What is the Most-Missed Insurance Requirement? 

The $50,000 trailer replacement coverage. This is a required part of your $1,000,000 Auto Liability policy and is often a non-standard endorsement you must specifically request from your agent.  

I Never Heard Back After Applying. What Should I Do? 

After 5 business days, first check that your contact information on your FMCSA profile exactly matches your application. If it does, you can contact Relay support at onboardwithrelay@amazon.com.  

What if my company is in the UK or EU? 

The requirements are completely different. UK carriers need a valid O-License, VAT number, and specific UK insurance (e.g., £1,200,000 Motor insurance). EU carriers need an EU Transport License.  

Is there a minimum or maximum fleet size? 

Amazon Relay has no fleet size requirements. You can apply with a single truck or a large fleet.