Here’s How Much to Tip an Uber Driver

Catching an Uber, Lyft or other ride-share is a great way to get from point A to point B. It’s affordable, super convenient and just like a taxi … except not exactly. Which raises the question: If you tip taxi drivers, do you tip Uber drivers? And if so, are there any hard-and-fast rules for how much to tip an Uber driver?

“I’ve been driving for Uber since it started, and even I get confused about the tipping etiquette rules sometimes, especially as they’ve changed several times,” says Kelly Jensen, a platinum-level Uber driver in Denver. “When Uber first started, one of their selling points was that the price was all-inclusive, and drivers weren’t even allowed to accept tips. Now, it’s the opposite, and the app prompts you to tip every ride. So I totally understand when customers get confused!” (FYI, Uber started in 2009 but didn’t allow optional tips until 2017.)

Even if you think you know how much to tip Uber drivers, the guidelines are constantly being updated, and there are some new changes you should be aware of. “We want to encourage better tipping behavior,” says Uber spokesperson Becky Katz Davis, “and over the last couple of years, we have made improvements to what customers see in their apps to encourage them to tip.” Other changes may affect how an Uber driver rates you based on your tip.

We know: You’ve got questions, and so does everyone else! Read on for everything you need to know about Uber tipping from Davis, Jensen and two other longtime Uber drivers, and etiquette experts Valerie Sokolosky and Jacqueline Whitmore.

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Should you tip Uber drivers?

The company’s official policy is that tipping is optional, but etiquette experts say you should always tip your Uber, Lyft or other ride-share driver. This is because an Uber is not a taxi (though taxi drivers should still get tips; more on that below).

The biggest difference between traditional cabs and ride-sharing services is that taxi drivers are employees of a taxi company, which provides and insures cars, while Uber drivers are independent contractors driving their own cars. This means Uber drivers get paid differently and assume a higher amount of personal and professional risk, which means—yes—the tipping rules are different, says Sokolosky, author of Do It Right, a comprehensive etiquette guide. Uber drivers also rely on these tips as part of their income, similar to hairstylists, waiters and other service-industry workers.

According to Renee Evans, an Uber driver in Minnesota, most drivers expect a tip. “Uber drivers pay for their car payment, gas, insurance and maintenance, so we’re in the hole before we even begin to drive,” she explains. “We’re also performing a really important service: getting people safely to their destinations so they can have fun without worrying about driving.” 

Jensen is a little less definitive. “I would never say I expect a tip—it is always optional,” she says. “But I will say that the majority of people do tip, and I always really appreciate it because that’s a big part of my income.”

How much should you tip an Uber driver?

When ordering an Uber, you have two options: UberX, the standard Uber that allows up to four people in a private ride, and Uber Comfort, which provides newer vehicles with more legroom and headroom, as well as higher-rated drivers. As you may have guessed, how much to tip an Uber driver depends on which one you’ve chosen.

UberX

The rule of thumb for a standard Uber ride is to tip 20% of the total fare, in line with what you would tip for other services, like getting a massage or going to the nail salon, says Sokolosky. 

So if your ride costs $30—an average cost for a moderate UberX trip in most cities—then you’ll tip $6, for a total of $36. If the trip is short and the fare is low, don’t tip less than $3, even if that’s more than 20%.

“A $1 tip is basically a slap in the face,” Evans says. “You have to remember: We’re not getting paid an hourly salary.” 

Uber Comfort

Since Uber Comfort offers a more comfortable ride and is a premium service, you might want to tip a bit more, Sokolosky says. You still should tip at least 20%, if not 25%, and you should never tip less than $5, Evans says.

So if your Uber Comfort ride costs $50, then you’ll tip $10 to $15 for a total of $60 to $75. 

Wondering if the driver will get the entire tip or just a percentage? “Drivers and couriers get 100% of tips,” Davis says. “Uber does not collect any service fees on tips.” 

When should you tip an Uber driver more?

You can choose to tip your Uber driver more or less, depending on the situation and the service. Sokolosky recommends considering a 25% tip if:

• The driver helps you with bags or luggage.
• The ride is unusually long.
• You require special accommodations.
• You need to make a stop.
• You have a low passenger rating. (They can choose not to accept your ride!)
• You requested a nicer car or higher-tier driver.
• The weather or driving conditions are awful.

Another situation to consider when figuring out how much to tip your Uber driver: if you made a mess in the car or were otherwise not a great passenger, says Diego Serrano, a gold-level Uber driver in Seattle. If you puke or make the car unsanitary, Uber will automatically charge you a cleaning fee of $10 to $150. But if you, say, spill a drink or drop a sandwich, it’s a good idea to offer a higher tip because the driver will have to clean up before picking up another ride. The same goes if you bring a furry pet or a screaming baby. 

“An extra tip isn’t necessary, but it is being a decent human,” Serrano says. So if your fare was $20 but your driver went the extra mile to make you comfortable or something went awry, tip 25%, or $5, for a total of $25. 

RD.com, Getty Images

What should you tip on if you’re sharing an Uber: the full ride or just your portion of the ride?

This can get a little confusing since the Uber app offers the “tip” option only to the person who originally requested the Uber. The app doesn’t split the tip between other passengers. Those passengers can offer their own tip to the driver in cash or pay the other person back, but those arrangements are unofficial.

“It is nice to at least offer to cover part of the tip via cash or Venmo if you’re sharing a ride,” says Serrano. “But just make sure someone is leaving a tip, and don’t assume it’s already covered.” 

How should you tip an Uber driver?

The easiest way to tip is through the Uber app. However, this is one of the things that was modified in the 2024 update to the Uber app, Davis says. Previously, you would rate your driver first and then leave a tip, but now Uber has placed the tip selection above ratings after a trip is complete. The app will automatically calculate the tip options for you, so it’s as easy as tapping a button.

You can also hand cash to the driver. Many drivers prefer cash since they see it as tax-free income (although, technically, cash tips should be reported on your income tax return).

When do you tip an Uber driver?

You used to have to wait until the ride was complete before tipping, but Uber now allows passengers to tip at any point during a trip. “To ensure a smooth, uninterrupted ride, customers can also tip drivers up to 30 days after their trip at a time when it’s convenient for them,” Davis says. That said, even if you have the best intentions, it’s easy to forget to tip later, so it’s best to do it right when you’re paying.

Do Uber drivers know if you don’t tip?

Yes, your driver will know whether or not you tipped, as well as how much you tipped. The driver will be able to see that you tipped as soon as you do it (a little heart will appear in the app next to your ride), and they have a function to send you a thank you through the app. That said, the driver will not be privy to this information until you have submitted your ride rating and your driver has submitted the passenger rating. 

What happens if you don’t tip your Uber driver?

In the past, the ratings were set at that point, but now drivers can change your passenger rating based on how much you tip. You should keep this newer function in mind when deciding how much to tip your Uber driver. “I change passengers’ ratings daily based on how much they’ve tipped, if they’ve tipped at all or if they’ve given us a poor rating,” Evans says. “It’s unfortunate that I have to change peoples’ ratings because they are too cheap to tip us yet they are going out to bars, concerts, restaurants, etc.” 

Not all Uber drivers do this, though. “I always see tips as a bonus, so I’m not angry if someone doesn’t tip,” says Jensen. “Sometimes you just can’t, and that’s OK. I’ve been in those places in my life.”

However, if there was something wrong with your trip, Serrano says that your driver definitely wants to know about it immediately so they can make it better. “Don’t suffer in silence,” he says. “Just tell me—I’ll make it right.” Of course, remember to be polite when you do it.

Do you have to tip a rude Uber driver?

No, a tip is not necessary in this situation. “If your driver’s behavior was rude or unprofessional, you are not obligated to tip,” says Whitmore, founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach. “You have the freedom to decide based on your experience.” Ultimately, tipping should reflect the quality of service. If a driver was rude, it’s within your right to withhold a tip and share your feedback with Uber.

Sokolosky, however, generally recommends still tipping something. “Drivers have bad days too, and it’s really about having empathy for others,” she says. It doesn’t have to be 20%, but it should be at least 10%.

This is only true for mild rudeness, however. If your driver verbally or sexually harasses you, tries to extort money from you, threatens you, stalks you or is abusive in any way, you do not need to tip, Sokolosky says. In those cases, get out of the car as soon as possible, and call Uber to report the driver right away. If the issue is criminal, call the police as well.

Is tipping Uber Eats different from tipping Uber rides?

Generally, the tipping guidelines are the same: 20% is an average tip, and customers can tip before, during or up to 30 days after an order is completed. But there are a few minor differences, Davis says. On Uber Eats orders, the suggested tip amounts for customers to choose from now vary based on order size versus the price of the order.

“While most orders have percentage amounts in the presets, in 2020, we began suggesting a flat dollar amount for smaller orders to improve tips,” she says. “In February 2021, we began reminding customers of inclement weather with the goal of encouraging higher tips when couriers go above and beyond.”

How much should you tip a taxi driver?

Of course, Ubers (and Lyfts) aren’t the only way to get around. But tips for a taxi driver can be a little lower: 10% to 20%. This is because taxi drivers have less overhead to cover and typically do shorter, less involved rides, Sokolosky says. That said, it’s kind to tip 20% of the final bill and consider adding more if the driver provides extra services, like those outlined above, she says. To avoid making an etiquette mistake, never tip less than $2, even if that ends up being more than 20%.

So if your taxi ride was $8, tip $2. (In this case, 20% would be $1.60, so round that up to $2.) This makes a total of $10.

Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of etiquette stories that help readers navigate communication in a changing world. We regularly cover topics such as the best messages to send for any occasion, polite habits that aren’t as polite as they seem, email and texting etiquette, business etiquette, tipping etiquette, travel etiquette and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on how much to tip an Uber driver, Charlotte Hilton Andersen tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who specializes in etiquette and communication for Reader’s Digest. Then Jacqueline Whitmore, a business etiquette expert and hospitality consultant with more than 30 years of experience who owns the Protocol School of Palm Beach, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Valerie Sokolosky, etiquette expert and author of Do It Right, a comprehensive etiquette guide; phone interview, January 2023
• Becky Katz Davis, Uber spokesperson; email interview, Aug. 12, 2024
• Kelly Jensen, diamond-level Uber driver since 2014, located in Denver; in-person interview, January 2023
• Diego Serrano, gold-level Uber driver since 2019, located in Seattle; phone interview, January 2023
• Renee Evans, Uber driver in Minnesota; email interview, Aug. 13, 2024
• Jacqueline Whitmore, founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach and author of Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work; email interview, Oct. 21, 2024
• Uber: “How are prices determined?”

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