Amazon Relay for small carriers: requirements, fit, and the trade-offs
Steve Woods · Lead Dispatcher, TruckSprint
Steve Woods leads the TruckSprint dispatch desk and reviews every guide we publish. How we research and update guides.
Updated October 2026
Quick answer
Amazon Relay is Amazon's own freight program and load board for carriers. Most Relay loads are power only. To qualify, Amazon's own pages list $1,000,000 auto liability (with $50,000 trailer replacement), $1,000,000/$2,000,000 general liability, $100,000 cargo, workers' compensation, a safety rating of Satisfactory, None or Not Rated, and BASIC scores under set limits.
Source: Amazon Relay, Apply to Amazon Relay · checked 2026-10
Amazon Relay comes up in nearly every new-carrier conversation on our desk. It can be a good source of freight for the right truck, and a frustrating one for the wrong one. I'm Steve, lead dispatcher at TruckSprint. We're not affiliated with Amazon; everything below comes from Amazon's own Relay pages as checked in October 2026.
Insurance requirements, from Amazon's application page
| Coverage | Amazon Relay minimum |
|---|---|
| Commercial general liability | $1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 aggregate |
| Auto liability | $1,000,000 per occurrence, incl. $50,000 trailer replacement |
| Cargo | $100,000 |
| Workers' compensation | In all jurisdictions where you operate |
Source: Amazon Relay: Apply to Amazon Relay (get-started) and Relay blog: truck requirements and insurance requirements · checked 2026-10
For comparison, the federal minimum public liability for general freight is $750,000 (49 CFR 387.9). Relay's auto liability minimum is higher, and the general liability, trailer replacement and workers' compensation lines add cost that a basic trucking policy may not include. Get quotes for the full Relay package before you count on Relay freight. More on coverage in commercial truck insurance.
Safety requirements
Amazon's page says carriers need an FMCSA safety rating of Satisfactory, None or Not Rated, and BASIC percentile scores under these limits:
| BASIC | Amazon Relay limit |
|---|---|
| Unsafe Driving | below 60% |
| HOS Compliance | below 60% |
| Vehicle Maintenance | below 75% |
| Controlled Substances/Alcohol | below 75% |
| Driver Fitness | below 75% |
A new carrier often has no scores yet, which isn't a problem. A few bad inspections in a small fleet can push a percentile up quickly, which is.
Which trucks fit Relay
Amazon's truck requirements page says most Relay loads are power only: you bring the tractor, Amazon provides the trailer. Box truck loads require dock-height box trucks with a working tuck-under liftgate. Cargo vans can't be used.
Source: Amazon Relay, truck requirements · checked 2026-10
So Relay mostly suits tractors running power only. A 26 ft box truck with a tuck-under liftgate can qualify for box truck loads, and that setup opens plenty of brokered freight too; it's the only box truck we dispatch. Dry van, reefer, flatbed and specialized equipment will find most of their freight elsewhere. Our power only guide covers how trailer pools and programs like Relay work.
Relay vs brokered freight
| Amazon Relay | Brokered freight | |
|---|---|---|
| Who you work with | Amazon directly | Many brokers |
| Freight type | Mostly power only, Amazon network | Every equipment type |
| Rates | Shown in the Relay load board | Negotiated load by load |
| Requirements | Amazon's insurance and safety rules | Each broker's rules |
| Dependence | One customer | Spread across many |
| Booking | You, in your Relay account | You or your dispatcher, with your yes |
The biggest risk with any single program is depending on it. If most of your revenue comes from one source, a rule change or an account issue can empty your week overnight.
Before you apply: a readiness check
Most rejected or stalled Relay applications we hear about come down to paperwork that didn't match. Before you start the application, line these up:
- Active operating authority with your USDOT and MC numbers, and FMCSA contact details that match what you'll enter.
- An insurance package that meets every line in the table above, not just auto liability. Ask your agent specifically about general liability, the trailer replacement (non-owned trailer) coverage and workers' compensation, since a standard trucking policy may leave one of them out.
- A clean look at your own safety record. Pull your SMS profile and check your BASIC percentiles and any recent inspection violations before Amazon does.
- A truck that fits the freight. A tractor ready for power only, or a 26 ft dock-height box truck with a tuck-under liftgate. Check that the liftgate actually works; it's listed as a requirement, not a preference.
- Drivers who can work with appointment times. Relay loads run on scheduled pickup and delivery windows, so plan hours of service around them; see our guide to hours of service.
If something on that list isn't ready, fix it first. It's faster than reapplying, and every item on it also makes brokers easier to work with.
What to watch once you're running
Treat Relay like any other customer and judge it by the numbers. Track what each Relay load pays against the miles it actually took, including the empty run to the pickup and the trip home. A load that looks good on the board can lose money once you count the deadhead; our deadhead miles guide shows the math. Keep an eye on your safety scores too: since Amazon sets limits on them, one bad month of inspections can matter more here than it does with most brokers.
Mixing Relay with other freight
Many carriers use Relay to fill gaps rather than as their only source. A practical mix: Relay loads when they line up with your home base and hours, brokered loads for the rest, and a few direct broker relationships for steady weeks. Relay is booked in your own Relay account under Amazon's terms; if you work with a dispatcher, check how Amazon's current terms treat account access before sharing anything. For every other source of freight, see how to get loads.