Amazon has announced the nationwide expansion of its Last Mile Driver Academy, aimed at enhancing safety training for Delivery Service Partner (DSP) drivers. The initiative will employ hands-on learning, virtual reality modules, and scenario-based simulations to improve driver safety.
According to Amazon, the Last Mile Driver Academy offers a three-day immersive safety training program that combines classroom instruction with virtual reality simulations and practical driving exercises. This program is designed to prepare DSP drivers for safe deliveries by focusing on essential skills such as safe package handling, hazard awareness, distracted driving prevention, and pet encounter management. The company says this hands-on model was developed after extensive research and feedback to ensure that safety training results in measurable improvements for both drivers and the communities they serve.
In its 2024 workplace safety report, Amazon reports a 34% decrease in injuries requiring more than basic first aid over the past five years. The company attributes these improvements to targeted safety initiatives like the Driver Academy, enhanced training, ergonomic innovation, and continuous feedback from front-line employees. Amazon emphasizes that safety remains its top operational priority as it strives to have the safest workplaces across its industry.
Dave Alperson, Amazon’s Vice President of Logistics for North America, said that following the success of a pilot program launched in Colorado in 2022, the company plans to open over 70 new Driver Academy locations across the United States. Alperson noted that interactive and immersive training methods have significantly improved safety outcomes, driver engagement, and community awareness. Each new facility will include state-of-the-art learning tools such as driving simulators, mock neighborhoods, and electric vehicle familiarization modules to prepare drivers for diverse delivery environments.
According to its official company overview, Amazon is a global e-commerce and technology leader employing more than 1.5 million people worldwide while partnering with thousands of small business DSPs. The company’s expansion of the Driver Academy aligns with its broader mission to innovate in logistics while protecting employees and serving communities responsibly. Through sustained investment in training and safety culture, Amazon continues to advance its goal of building the safest and most reliable delivery network in the industry.
