Uber riders have the option of tipping drivers before and after a trip. Even a couple hours after a ride is complete, you can modify your tip amount.
But, can Uber drivers see tips? Or do they just see the lump sum at the end of the day?
Can Uber Drivers See Your Tip?
How an Uber driver views and interprets the details of your rating and tip seems to vary from driver to driver. In general the privacy of the rider is protected. However, all Uber drivers are notified when they receive a tip, so by matching the details of the trip with the tip given, a driver can usually match the rider to the tip.
This article takes a look at how tipping and rating works for Uber riders and drivers: how it’s done, when to do it, and the courtesy and fairness factors involved.
How Do Uber Drivers See My Tip?
All Uber riders have the option to tip directly from the app after each trip or delivery. As soon as a ride is completed, the rider’s name and street number is deleted so the driver can no longer see these details.
Your tip, if you give one, will show against a particular trip, but not against a particular individual. Busy Uber drivers, who are completing multiple trips per night, say they rarely go through through their app data and identify ‘who tipped what’.
Drivers will receive a notification each time they receive a tip, even when that tip is given retroactively. All tip information is included on the trip details screen, which is accessed through the Uber Driver app.
Can Uber Drivers Rate You Based On Tip?
Since tipping was introduced through the app, drivers aren’t aware whether you tipped until they’ve rated you. A driver can contact Uber later on, however, and change a passenger’s rating, an option that concerns many Uber riders.
Uber drivers see your tip only after you have tipped them, and after they’ve left you a rating – which they are prompted to give immediately. Delays for tip notifications are common, which means drivers are rarely issued timely and clear alerts for whatever the rider is doing.
Uber state that the ratings system is designed to support both riders and drivers and to help ensure ride quality for everyone on the Uber platform. If a driver wants to change a rating they gave a customer, they must do it through alerting the Uber website and allowing Uber to update the rating for them.
Read: Why Doesn’t Uber Have A Phone Number?
How Much Should I Tip An Uber Driver?
Tipping is not mandatory, but it is greatly appreciated by drivers. If you decide to tip, and you’d like to follow a common protocol, the recommended amount is 10-20% of the fare.
International etiquette consultants recommend a sliding scale based on the quality of your ride. This could be 10% tip for an average ride, up to 20% for a good ride, and 15% to 20% for an exceptional ride.
It’s important to know that ride-sharing companies like Uber take a percentage of the driver’s income, which be as high as 42%. Hence, the driver is left with very little after a long day’s work.
As well as paying for fuel, drivers must also pay for repairs, maintenance, cleaning, insurance, registration, and they do not get paid for the initial distance they travel to come and pick you up at your location.
Via the app, you can choose from pre-set tip amounts, or you can select to tip a custom amount, and the driver will receive the entire tip.
Read: Does Uber Take Cash App?
Do Uber Drivers Get 100% Of Their Tips?
Uber do not apply service fees to the tips received by Uber drivers. However, it has not always been possible to tip Uber drivers via the app – Australia, for example, only introduced Uber driver tipping in 2019.
Now all Uber drivers are notified in via Uber Driver app and by email and can opt to accept tips from riders. To do this, drivers need to update or download the latest version of the Uber Driver app and tap Accept Tips.
Tips are neither expected nor required, and they are not included in the fair – but they are appreciated.
How Do You Tip An Uber Driver For A Past Trip?
At the end of your trip, you’ll be prompted to rate your driver. Once you provide a rating, you’ll be given the option to add a tip. You can also provide a tip to drivers after a ride has been completed provided you do this within 30 days of the ride.
To tip a driver from your trip history, follow the details included on your emailed trip receipt or scroll through the Uber Help: Rider section.
You can also rate or tip a driver during a trip:
1. Open the Uber app.
2. Tap the white screen to expand the trip details.
3. Tap “Rate or tip” next to “How’s your ride going?”
4. Select the number of stars you want to rate the driver.
5. If you selected 5 stars, you’ll be prompted to tip the driver. If you selected less than 5 stars, you’ll see the option to add a tip.
6. Tap “Save.”
Read: Can Uber Drivers Carry Guns?
Can I Change My Uber Driver Rating Later?
Riders can also change ratings they give to drivers. You can update any rating via the emailed receipt sent to you after your trip.
Open the email and select Rate or Tip. You’ll be redirected to your account on uber.com where you can update the rating you gave the driver. You won’t be able to do this if your trip was cancelled.
Uber tries not to match riders and drivers who have issued each other with low ratings. If you live in an area where the availability of Uber drivers is low, this can affect your ability to access the service.
To resend the receipt email:
- Open your app menu and select “Your Trips”
- Select the trip then tap “Receipt”
- Scroll down and tap “Resend email”
Summary
It’s tricky to know when and how much to tip your Uber driver, especially when you’re a new user of the system, you’re on a budget, or you just aren’t sure if tips are allowed at all.
Well, Uber driver tips are not mandatory, but they are allowed.
Regular riders set themselves a reasonable budget protocol and follow it with an emphasis on showing both appreciation and fairness to their driver.