Amazon delivery driver training: Inside the 3-day academy

Key takeaways

Drivers learn delivery fundamentals and safety protocols during their training.
Teaching tools include virtual reality headsets, driving simulators, and more.
The Integrated Last Mile Driver Academy is projected to be active in 95+ delivery stations across North America by December 2026.

Safety is a fundamental part of our operations and extends to every touchpoint of package delivery, especially during delivery, when customer orders are onboard delivery vehicles on the road.

Delivery Service Partners (DSP) participate in a two-day hands-on and immersive training at one of our delivery stations set up with Amazon’s Integrated Last Mile Driver Academy (iLMDA) before hitting the road for an additional day of on-road experience. They learn essential skills that keep them—and the communities they serve—safe while they deliver your orders.

Team posing with driver simulator at technology showcase event

Delivery fundamentals covered during the training include how to properly and safely leave a package, handle pet encounters, safely exit a vehicle, load and unload vans, inspect vehicles, as well as prevent slipping, tripping, falling during deliveries, and more.

“We initially launched the Driver Academy in Colorado in 2022 and discovered that more interactive and engaging training significantly improved safety, not only for drivers, but also for the community," said Dave Alperson, vice president of Amazon Logistics in North America. "Building off that success, we started expanding the model throughout the country, with the goal to support even more drivers.”

As of October 2025, more than 140,000 drivers across 65 iLMDA sites and counting have participated.

Based on the positive impact and enthusiastic feedback, iLMDA is projected to grow to more than 95 delivery stations across North America by December 2026, bringing enhanced safety training to thousands more drivers.

How drivers learn

Amazon delivery trainer discusses proper delivery techniques with a new driver.

Drivers learn in a variety of ways at the academy, such as in traditional classrooms and using virtual reality (VR) headsets in controlled environments. Future training expansions include driving simulators and mock towns, where drivers can make deliveries in different situations, at houses, apartment complexes, mail rooms, and more.

These all teach drivers about safety procedures on the road, including hazard detection and how to avoid distracted or fatigued driving as well as proper driving etiquette like signaling, following distance, and sharing the road.

Delivery driver trainee going through the slip, trip, and fall simulator.

One of the most impactful training modules is the slip-trip-fall simulator, where drivers are secured in safety harnesses and attempt to walk on slippery surfaces to learn a marching technique that enables safe walking in those situations.

The goal at the training academy is simple: fully immerse drivers in as many different scenarios as possible to prepare them for delivering in the real world.

On the road

Two delivery drivers go through safety training with virtual reality headsets at an Amazon Last Mile Driver Academy.

Tyguan Tyler is one of more than 300,000 drivers who have successfully completed VR training since 2022.

Tyler completed the training in Tampa, Florida, and drives for REB Solutions, a DSP. While he had six years of experience driving commercial vehicles before driving for REB Solutions, Tyler says this training—particularly the virtual reality simulations—strengthened his knowledge of the job and set him up to be more comfortable on the road.

“I’m more of a physical learner, which helped when I did the VR training,” Tyler said. “I was in a simulation where you’re standing in somebody’s yard and working through all the steps as if you are there—figuring out if there’s a dog on the premises, finding any trip hazards, checking how to hold your package when leaving the vehicle.”

Driver using AI-enhanced traffic simulator with large screen display

The newest modality added to the iLMDA is the Enhanced Vehicle Operation Learning Virtual Experience (EVOLVE) driving simulator that recently debuted in facilities in Denver, Colorado; Glen Burnie, Maryland; and Seffner, Florida.

The driving simulator provides immediate feedback on performance to learners and prompts hands-on critical defensive driving skills development in a safe, standardized virtual environment.

More than 6,000 newly onboarded drivers have participated in EVOLVE, with a behind-the-wheel participation rate over 90%. Amazon anticipates 40 iLMDA sites will offer the EVOLVE experience by the end of 2026.

Delivery safety trainer shows a new driver how to use the electric delivery vehicles.

Drivers also get acclimated with Amazon’s electric delivery vehicles. The training covers the unique aspects of these vehicles, including their regenerative braking systems, handling characteristics, and how to enter and exit them.

Moving forward

Every day, thousands of DSP drivers navigate neighborhoods across the country, becoming a visible presence in the communities they serve.

As the iLMDA continues to expand, each new graduate represents Amazon’s commitment to ensuring not just efficient deliveries, but safer communities—one well-trained driver at a time.

Next, learn about Amazon's smart delivery glasses, the newest innovation designed to enhance the delivery experience.