TIP TOP: Should drivers know about tip potential before accepting jobs?
- Perry Richardson
- Sep 29
- 2 min read
The role of tips in taxi and private hire work has always been secondary to the fare, yet the subject could become more important with the growth of app-based bookings.
Most booking apps now allow customers to pre-set a tip when arranging a journey. At present this information is not normally shared with the driver before they accept a job card. The question is whether showing tip details upfront could improve job acceptance rates, reduce cancellations and give passengers more certainty when booking.
If a driver could see that a tip had already been added, they may be more inclined to accept the journey quickly. This could create a sense of priority for passengers who regularly pre-define themselves as tippers. It could also cut down on wasted time for both drivers and riders where jobs are cancelled after long waits.
An alternative approach might avoid showing the actual tip figure. Instead, apps could indicate the likelihood of a tip being left based on a passenger’s past behaviour. For example, a percentage rating showing how often the customer has tipped in previous trips. This may prevent drivers from favouring only high-value tips, while still recognising tipping patterns.
Drivers are bound by regulations that prevent them from charging above the meter fare. However, tips remain permitted and form part of a driver’s overall earnings. As operating costs rise and competition between platforms grows, tipping transparency may become another way for apps to attract drivers and reassure passengers.
Whether regulators or platforms choose to test the idea is another matter. While it could strengthen reliability for passengers, it also risks creating a two-tier system where non-tippers find it harder to get a car during busy periods. That is a balance the industry would need to consider carefully.
