How to Tip a Cab Driver
Whatever "tip" stands for (to insure promptness, or to improve politeness), a cab driver's standard gratuity expectation is 15 percent of the fare.
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Things You'll Need
- Money Belts
- Wallets
- Portable Calculators
- Cellular Phone Services
- Cellular Phones
Instructions
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Discuss fares when you get into the cab, especially if you're in a new city, or if you're unfamiliar with the distance to a new or far-off destination.
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Have enough cash in your pocket to tip at least 10 percent over the fare.
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Go beyond standard expectations if your driver performs an extra duty such as acting as a tour guide or providing beyond-the-call-of-duty baggage handling - or if the cabbie gets you there lickety-split on a heavy traffic day.
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Remember that tipping is not mandatory, but drivers rely on tips for the majority of their salary.
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Give the tip with the fare.
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Inform the driver to "keep the change." Or wait if you're expecting money back, and then tip from your change.
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Tips & Warnings
Have small bills. It's easier to tip and pay your fare that way.
If you set up a monthly cab account, you can ask for the same driver to be at your office at the same time. And you might want to consider tipping this dependable driver generously.
Don't always expect drivers to know or use shortcuts or the best traffic routes. You can advise them to avoid racking up fares in traffic jams.
Sometimes trips to the airport have flat fees. Check with your driver.
Unregulated or "gypsy" cabs are usually illegal, and their fares may or may not be competitive, so be warned.
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Comments
View all 21 Comments-
Anna G. Appel
Jan 13, 2011
There are places where waitresses and or waiters actually make at least minimum wage or more. Bur most waitresses I know also make a ton of cash from tips. So I don't think it is necessary to tip more than 5% of anything. Even with a very expensive bill I never tip over 15 dollars. -
seannn
Jun 01, 2010
This mentality that you HAVE to tip people is absurd. You picked your line of work (as a waiter or cab driver or anything else) knowing what the base pay would be (terrible). Tips are just a hidden expense (or tax) that establishments have smartly passed on to customers. Personally I tip about 90% of the time, but I never feel like I am obligated to or that it is my job to supplement someones salary (when they picked their profession).
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pentamiento
Feb 22, 2010
For the latter two sheltered individuals, actually it depends which country you're in. In the U.S., it is standard to tip cab drivers, bellhops, waiters and waitresses, unless the service is poor. If you knew the economics for the working person in question, you would probably empathize. And it really is CRITICAL to tip if you are taking a short trip or ordering a minimal item. Otherwise, all the other normal and decent customers have to make up for your taking so much time, for next to nothing. And, no, often the tightwads in this situation are not paying much, compared to countries in which the service is "included", especially when it comes to taxi service.
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Floridacyclist
Oct 08, 2008
If you only have enough money for your fare but you think the driver provided a good service, simply apologize and explain that you wish you could tip him but cannot afford to at that time. Cabbies are human (I know, I drove a cab all through college and have recently gone back to it while I finish my emergency management degree) and a little thanks and appreciation goes a long way even if it doesn't help pay the bills or put gas in the cab, which at current prices is my single biggest expense. If the service was truly excellent, ask for their card and call them when you need a ride..and tip well when you can afford it. Assuming that you're not in such a big city that personal service is next to impossible, the average cabbie knows a good customer when they see one and will treat you like gold.
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pleasetip
Jul 01, 2008
Lots of service positions (cab drivers, restaurant waiters, valet drivers, etc) receive very little from their employer for their work. The way the system is set up, tips are required for these service men/women to receive any take-home pay. As a waitress, my weekly paycheck from my restaurant would usually be only a few dollars and occasionally only change ($2.13 an hour with subtracted taxes). I relied on tips for my salary. A tip should always be given (except for extreme circumstances of maltreatment) and the variance should be in how much. 15% for average service, 20% or more for good or great service.
