Uber Tipping — Do You Tip Uber Drivers?

Uber is a top competitor in the rideshare world and one of the most popular choices for new and experienced riders alike. While the company’s offerings are incredibly convenient, there’s one aspect of the rideshare service that’s still confusing passengers—tipping.

Do you tip Uber drivers? Should you? Well, the answer isn’t as straightforward as most riders imagine. Fortunately, you can skip the guesswork because this guide outlines every you need to know about Uber tipping.

What You Need to Know About the Uber Tipping Policy

Prior to 2017, there wasn’t a convenient way to tip drivers. In fact, the rideshare company seemed to have a fairly strong stance against tipping. This situation caused a lot of tension between drivers and the company as well as pressure from many local municipalities who demanded Uber add a tipping policy.

Historically, riders that wanted to reward exceptional drivers had to do so in cash. Since most individuals don’t use cash on a regular basis, it created a lot of frustration. Many drivers also felt uneasy about carrying cash for long periods while working.

Fortunately, Uber heard the concerns of riders and drivers alike and launched an in-app solution. Now, you can easily tip your Uber driver directly from the app. The Uber tipping policy prevents all cash transactions while ensuring passengers can still show their gratitude. Plus, all of the additional earnings go directly to the driver.

To Tip or Not to Tip — The Age-Old Rideshare Question

Even with the Uber tipping policy in place, the additional step is not a requirement. As a result, riders still face the age-old rideshare question: Do you tip Uber drivers? In short, yes.

When you visit a restaurant, you probably don’t think twice about leaving a tip – you just do it. The same sentiment should be applied to rideshare industry because drivers work as contractors. The operators not only miss out on a reliable salary, but they’re also financially responsible for all their operating expenses, like fuel and vehicle maintenance. The additional earnings they receive from tips helps cover these costs without dipping into their per-ride earnings.

With that said, not every occasion calls for a tip. Occasionally, you may experience subpar service on your trip. Do you tip Uber drivers when this situation occurs? Maybe. There are a variety of things to consider before making that decision. Here’s a closer look at how to determine if tipping is appropriate or not.

Do You Tip Uber Drivers?

Not all Uber trips are created equal, so it’s likely that you’ll end up dissatisfied with an on-the-road journey at some point. To decide if your driver deserves a tip in this situation, consider the circumstances. While operator rudeness will definitely eliminate your gratitude for the service, an unexpected traffic jam is out of your driver’s control.

Here are a few reasons to tip:

You arrived safely to your destination without any serious issues.
You received a display of excellent customer service.
Your driver treated you with kindness and respect.

Here are some examples of when it’s okay not to tip:

The driver was incredibly rude.
You felt unsafe during your journey.
The drive made inappropriate comments.

Unless your trip falls in the latter category, then your driver most likely deserves the extra nod of appreciation. Regardless of how much you decide to pay, the additional earnings remind the contractor that they’re valuable, which helps the industry maintain its best drivers. It also provides an incentive for the operator to go above and beyond for their customers, which, in turn, benefits you.

Do You Tip Uber Eats Drivers?

Rideshare isn’t the company’s only service with a tipping option—you can also select to give a tip in the Uber Eats app. Do you tip Uber Eats? If you haven’t in the past, you should consider it.

As with their rideshare counterparts, delivery drivers are providing a valuable service. Customers get to avoid going out, sitting in traffic, and battling the crowds at the restaurant. While your delivery driver handles those dreadful tasks, you get to relax in the comfort of your own home. When you look at it that way, Uber and Uber Eats drivers definitely deserve a bonus for their service.

How Much Should You Tip Uber Drivers?

Once you determine your trip experience calls for a tip, you’ll need to figure out the right amount. The two main factors to consider in this process are the total trip fare and the quality of the service you received. Typically, it’s standard to tip between 10 percent and 20 percent in service-related industries. Here’s an example with a $20 fare:

Acceptable Tip Amounts

Fair Service – 10 percent: 20 X .10 = $2
Good Service – 15 percent: 20 X .15 = $3
Great Service – 20 percent: 20 X .20 = $4
Amazing Service – 25 percent: 20 X .25 = $5

If you’re not sure which level your trip falls into, match the tip amount to the number of stars you chose for the rating. One star would equate with poor service, so no tip is needed. A five-star trip would match up with the “excellent” category, so 20 percent is appropriate.

While a couple extra dollars may not seem like much, it adds up quickly over the span of a driver’s shift. If the amount you calculated is close to one of the app’s suggested tips, you can simply tap the appropriate amount. However, the preset options are often on the lower end of the scale, so you may want to enter a custom total. Remember: You can always increase the tip amount to however much you want if the standard percentages don’t feel like enough.

How to Tip Uber Drivers

Uber made the in-app tipping process incredibly simple. Follow these steps:

1. Rate Your Driver

Once your ride is over, the Uber app will prompt you to rate your driver. Choose your rating to move onto the Uber tipping process.

2. Choose the Tip Amount

Next, you’ll choose the tip amount. The app offers three suggestions automatically so riders can click and go.

2a. You can also enter a custom amount at this step.

3. Process the Tip

Finally, review the selected tip amount and tap “Done.”

If you’re on a tight budget the day of your trip or you’re simply in a hurry, the Uber tipping policy allows riders to go back and add it later. Simply go choose the ride from your trip history and apply the correct amount. However, the cut off time is 7 days, so try to do it as soon as possible.

The same process applies for Uber Eats tipping. After you receive your order, you can rate your delivery experience and choose the tip amount. Just like regular Uber, Uber Eats only allows tips to be applied for seven days after your service.

Do You Tip Uber?

Uber’s tipping policy ensures riders have the chance to show their gratitude for excellent service. It also serves as an incentive for drivers to go the extra mile—no pun intended—and provide the highest quality of customers service. In the end, everyone wins.

If you haven’t tried Uber yet, be sure to save on your ride with our Uber promo code.