We recommend tipping a limo driver 15–20% of the fare, unless the quote already includes a gratuity.
Do you tip a limo driver?
Yes, unless the quote already includes a gratuity for the driver.
Is the limo gratuity already included?
Read the contract or the quote first. If a line is already named gratuity or tip, do not add another 15–20% until you know that line is not the driver's tip. Ask the company whether that line goes to the driver. If it does, you have already tipped. If they say the line is not a tip, add 15–20% of the chauffeur fare as the tip.
The fare is the chauffeur charge for the hours or the trip you booked. Leave out tolls you can see as separate lines, and leave out a tax line. An hourly booking and an event booking use this same percentage. There is not a second rate.
Total fare before tip
Base tip percentage before adjustments
Quick presets
Tip Amount
$4.50
Total
$29.50
Effective tip
18%
The calculator starts at 18%, which is inside 15–20%. Leave Luggage on None and Traffic Conditions on Normal, because the other settings change the rate. Some luggage multiplies the tip by 1.05, heavy luggage by 1.15, light traffic by 0.95, and heavy traffic by 1.10. Enter the chauffeur fare. These rows are examples of the recommendation. They are not a limo company's rates.
| Example fare | Tip at 15% | Tip at 18% | Tip at 20% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $75 | $11.25 | $13.50 | $15.00 |
| $150 | $22.50 | $27.00 | $30.00 |
| $300 | $45.00 | $54.00 | $60.00 |
| $500 | $75.00 | $90.00 | $100.00 |
A $150 fare at 18% is a $27 tip.
A wedding ride uses this same 15–20%. The rest of the wedding vendors are on how much to tip wedding vendors. A for-hire ride in New York City is on Tipping Uber, Lyft and Car Service Drivers in NYC. App rides that are not a booked limousine are on How much to tip an Uber driver.
Cash or on the bill
Hand the driver cash at the end of the job, or add the tip if the company gives you a tip line that is actually empty. One tip. If you split a limo, split this tip the same way you split the fare. Five people and a $30 tip, which is 20% of a $150 fare, is $6 each. Work that out before the car arrives so the driver gets one amount.
When to use 15% or 20%
Use 20% when the driver loads bags, handles more than one pickup, or waits because your plans changed. Use 15% when the trip matched the booking and nothing extra was asked. Skip an extra tip if a gratuity line already covers 15–20% and the company confirmed it is the tip. Skip the tip entirely if the driver is rude or ignores a stop that was on the booking.
More tipping guides are on the travel hub.