We recommend tipping an Uber, Lyft, black car, or car service driver in New York City 15–20% of the fare you were charged.
Do you tip Uber and Lyft drivers in NYC?
Yes. We recommend a tip for an Uber, Lyft, black car, or car service driver in New York City.
How much to tip a for-hire ride in NYC
This page is a prearranged for-hire ride in New York City. That is Uber, Lyft, a black car, a car service, a limousine, or an airport shuttle you booked ahead. A yellow cab is a different ride. For the meter, use how much to tip a taxi in NYC.
NYC311 describes a car service, also called a for-hire vehicle, as prearranged transportation. These vehicles cannot accept a street hail. The types include black cars, app services such as Lyft and Uber, limousines, and livery. The Taxi and Limousine Commission regulates them. The Commission does not set car-service prices. (NYC311: Car Services, checked October 24, 2026)
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%, 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 fare you were charged. These rows are examples of that recommendation. They are not a company rate card.
| Example fare | Tip at 15% | Tip at 18% | Tip at 20% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $28 | $4.20 | $5.04 | $5.60 |
| $46 | $6.90 | $8.28 | $9.20 |
| $75 | $11.25 | $13.50 | $15.00 |
A $46 fare at 18% is an $8.28 tip.
Uber, Lyft, and a called car
The Taxi and Limousine Commission requires a for-hire base to let a passenger tip with the same payment method used for the fare. The base must pay the driver the entire amount designated as a tip or gratuity. (NYC TLC: For-hire vehicle tipping rule, §59B-23(h), checked October 24, 2026)
That rule is about how the tip is paid. It does not set a percentage. Our recommendation stays 15–20% of the fare you were charged.
Lyft's own in-app steps, including the 30-day window, are on How Much to Tip a Lyft Driver. Cross-platform norms are on How much to tip an Uber driver.
Limo and airport shuttle
A limousine in New York City uses this same 15–20%, unless the quote already includes a gratuity. Read the contract first. The check is on How Much to Tip a Limo Driver.
An airport shuttle you booked as a for-hire ride uses 15–20% of the fare you were charged.
Valet and a parking garage
A valet and a parking-garage attendant are not this tip. Use the valet parking tip calculator.
When to use 15% or 20%
Use 20% when the driver loads bags or makes a stop you asked for. Use 15% for a direct ride. NYC311 says a car-service passenger has the right not to tip for poor service. (NYC311: Car Services, checked October 24, 2026)
More tipping guides are on the travel hub.