How Much to Tip an Uber Driver
Tipping drivers isn’t mandatory, but it can be a kind way to thank them for their service and help them earn a living.
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Updated · 2 min read
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Senior Editor & Content Strategist If you’ve ever taken an Uber, you’ve probably been asked to add a tip and rate your driver at the end of the trip. As it turns out, doing so isn't a completely customary act. Only a little over 1 in 4 (28.3%) of rideshare trips lead to a tip, according to a 2024 report on gig mobility from Gridwise Analytics.
Tipping can be tricky business, especially when it comes to rideshare services like Uber or Lyft because there isn’t a clear standard. Here is a guide to tipping Uber drivers that may help next time you take a ride.
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Do you have to tip an Uber driver?
Uber doesn’t make tipping mandatory, so there's no requirement that you tip your driver. However, just like other workers in the service industry, Uber drivers often rely on tips to supplement their pay.
Uber rolled out its in-app tipping feature in 2017 as an effort to improve drivers’ earnings. Tipping can be a way to support that mission if it’s something that aligns with your values.
Another reason you may choose to tip an Uber driver is if they give you a top-tier experience. An Uber survey from 2018 found some reasons that riders tip drivers include: having a clean car, sharing a good conversation, helping with luggage, making a phone charger available and playing good music. Those are still good reasons to add a little on top.
How much should you tip an Uber driver?
After completing a ride, Uber suggests tipping your driver and prompts you to give a preset dollar amount — such as $1 or $5 — or enter a custom amount. You can stick with one of these suggestions or give a more generous tip if you want. If you need a benchmark, consider calculating your tip based on the total ride cost.
In the service industry, restaurants may leave recommended percentages at the bottom of receipts. Some restaurants suggest tipping between 15% to 20% of the bill — a benchmark you could also apply to Uber rides. For instance, if you take a $35 ride, you may decide to tip $5.25, which is 15%.
In the event an Uber driver delivers poor service, you may choose to give a smaller tip or nothing at all, similar to at a restaurant or bar.
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See the full picture: savings, debt, investments and more. Smarter money moves start in our app. How much do Uber drivers make per hour?
Uber drivers may make between $15 and $25 per hour, according to SideHusl.com, which covers side hustle ideas and gig platforms. That said, Uber makes it clear that how much you can make depends on where you’re located, when you choose to drive and how much time you spend working. One of our writers tried driving for Uber and didn’t hit the $15-per-hour mark, nor did he do well with tips.
Most drivers aren’t taking home the average hourly rate because they incur so many expenses. For one, Uber charges a variable service fee for some trips. In addition, Uber drivers are independent contractors, which essentially means they’re self-employed and not covered by health insurance, retirement plans, employer matches and other benefits.
Drivers also have to pay for expenses like their car upkeep, self-employment taxes, and gas out-of-pocket. Even if a driver’s earnings are on the higher side, expenses can eat away at the take-home pay.
What happens if you don’t tip?
There is no consequence for not tipping, but doing so can be a kind gesture, especially for drivers who rely on it to make earnings more livable. While some argue that it’s an employer’s responsibility to pay service workers better wages, drivers offer a service that makes your life easier. For that reason, you may consider giving them a few extra bucks.
If you can’t afford to tip, consider using cash-back credit cards to pay for your rides and your tips so you get some dollars back.
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