Requirements to become a delivery driver in Ohio

Thinking about driving a delivery van in the Toledo area but not sure what you need first? The good news is that the basic requirements are straightforward: a valid license, a clean enough record to pass a background check, and meeting the minimum age. This guide covers what the official sources say about licensing in Ohio, when a commercial driver's license (CDL) is and is not required, and what Amazon's own onboarding guide lists for delivery associates. Level Logistics, LLC is a veteran-owned Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP) in Toledo, and the details specific to our openings will be confirmed when you apply.

Do you need a CDL to drive a delivery van?

Not based on vehicle weight alone, for vans under the federal threshold. Under federal rules in 49 CFR 383.91, a "heavy straight vehicle" that requires a CDL is any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also explains that a CDL can be required for other reasons even when weight is under that line: if the vehicle is transporting hazardous materials, or if it is designed to carry 16 or more people including the driver.

So whether a particular delivery job needs a CDL depends on the vehicle. At Level Logistics, drivers use Amazon cargo vans and electric delivery vans (EDVs). If a posting says "no CDL required," it is referring to this weight rule. You can read more about the van itself in our overview of what an Amazon DSP delivery driver does.

Ohio driver's license basics

A standard Ohio driver's license, called a Class D license, is what most people hold for passenger vehicles. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) lays out the steps depending on your age.

If you are 21 or older

According to the Ohio BMV, you take a knowledge test and vision screening to receive a temporary instruction permit identification card (TIPIC). Until you pass your driving tests, you may only practice with a licensed driver who is 21 or older. You then pass both the on-road skills test and the maneuverability skills test, and visit a Deputy Registrar License Agency to purchase the license. The BMV notes that a notarized 24-hour affidavit with driving log (form BMV 5789) may be needed in some cases for applicants 21 or older.

If you are 18 to 20

Ohio changed its rules for this age group. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office states that, effective September 30, 2025, Ohioans ages 18, 19 and 20 need 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night, a notarized Fifty-Hour Affidavit (form BMV 5791), and an Ohio-approved Class D driver training course with 24 hours of classroom instruction (in person or online) and 8 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. All of this must be finished before you schedule your driving test.

Documents to bring

The BMV says applicants must provide documents covering five elements: full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, Ohio street address and proof of citizenship or legal presence in the United States. A "Compliant" card requires the full set, and a "Standard" card has lighter requirements unless it is your first license. The BMV publishes an Acceptable Documents List, so check it before you go. We are not able to give you legal advice about your documents; for questions about your specific situation, contact the BMV or your local Deputy Registrar.

Minimum age

Amazon's onboarding guide for Delivery Service Partners lists being "at least 18 years of age" as a requirement for delivery associates. That is a general Amazon-side requirement; each DSP is responsible for its own hiring, so a DSP may have additional requirements of its own. At Level Logistics, the minimum age is 21.

For comparison, Amazon Flex, which is a separate program where people deliver using their own vehicles, lists being 21 or older with a valid license on its website. Flex is not the same thing as working for a DSP.

Background check

Amazon's onboarding guide says delivery associates must "pass a background check in accordance with Amazon's standards." It also lists signing consent and confidentiality agreements, completing required training, and uploading your driver's license and a photo of yourself in the Amazon Delivery app. For Level Logistics positions specifically, you need fewer than 3 points on your license and no criminal record within the last 7 to 10 years. If you have a question about your own record, text or call us at 567-358-2200 before you apply.

What about drug screening and other checks?

We could not find an official source that sets out a uniform drug-screening requirement for DSP drivers, so we are not going to claim one here. Employers can have their own pre-employment steps. We will let you know exactly which checks apply to Level Logistics positions during the application process.

A quick checklist before you apply

1. Confirm you are at least 21, our minimum age.
2. Make sure you hold, or can obtain, a valid license that meets Ohio BMV rules.
3. Gather your identification documents.
4. Be ready for a background check.
5. Think through the physical demands. Delivery work involves lifting and carrying, and our guide to staying safe in an Ohio winter covers lifting technique and weather.

Veterans and requirements

Many veterans already meet these basics and bring helpful habits to the job. If that sounds like you, read delivery driving as a career for veterans for the resources available in Ohio.

Ready to talk? Apply with Level Logistics. Ask us about pay and schedules when you apply.