Ride Share Etiquette: Commonly Asked Questions

Although ride share services (Uber/Lyft) are now commonplace, there are still many who have not yet used one. I recently covered some commonly asked questions about ride share etiquette on my Monday Manners segment on Good Day Austin, FOX7.

 

How Does Ride Share Work?

Companies like Uber and Lyft use apps to schedule a ride. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you enter your identification and payment information. Request a ride and then you are ready to roll.

Do I Need To Pay For the Water I Am Offered?

No. If your driver offers you a bottle of water, it is generally complimentary. Drivers often have water and wrapped candy in their car for your enjoyment. It’s also a way to establish a good impression and help boost their rating. If you don’t want to take a bottle of water, simply say “thank you” and decline.

Should I Give My Gate Code To The Driver Or Wait At The Front Gate?

Whether you decide to give your gate code to the ride share driver is up to you. Some people will meet the car at the front gate and others offer their code. If you choose to share your code, text it to your driver before arrival to prevent any delays.

How Can I Find My Driver In A Crowd?

Ride share companies provide detailed information about the vehicle and driver. It is vital to your safety to check any car you get into to make sure it matches the description provided by the app. The vehicles are marked with a company logo to identify the car. Lastly, walk a few blocks away from the crowd so your driver won’t get stuck in standstill traffic while searching for you.

Can I Ask The Driver To Change The Temperature, Adjust The Window Or Drive Slower?

Yes. It is appropriate to politely ask the driver to change the temperature or adjust the window levels. Speak up if your driver is driving recklessly and putting you in danger. If you find your driver is non-compliant, you may ask to cancel the ride. If it is a matter of temperature, respectfully explain that you have a tendency to get car sick, claustrophobic or are feeling ill. You should feel certain a driver does not want you to get sick in their car.

Should I Make Conversation With My Driver?

Every rider and driver have different personalities. You may find your ride share driver is talkative, or he/she may be quiet on the ride. Be respectful of their personality as they should be equally mindful of yours. If you have a chatty driver and you need to work, answer their question and then say, “Please excuse me. I’m going to spend this time catching up on some emails.” Be assertive, yet civil.

Can My Friends And I Split The Fare?

Absolutely. The app gives you an option to split the fare among riders in the vehicle, as long as they are on your contact list. Uber also has a carpool option that allows you to ride with another person headed in the same direction. This usually means there are more stops as the driver picks up or drops off a rider, but a carpool ride share is cheaper than going alone.

Is Tipping Mandatory

Tipping is not mandatory, however, it is highly encouraged  The app allows you to add gratuity, or you can offer cash as an alternative.

Beyond tipping, don’t forget to leave a positive rating if you were pleased with the service. A five-star comment creates future business and they rely heavily on your feedback.

If I Rate My Driver Poorly Will It Affect My Rating?

No. An honest, negative mention will not generally affect your customer rating. The purpose of having mutual ratings is to ensure the satisfaction of both the rider and the driver.

Now that you’re informed, its time to hit the road.

You may also like Travel Etiquette: 10 Must-Haves For Your Trip. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on HuffPost, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.