A full-size SUV at night · Photo: OWS Photography · CC BY 4.0
Riding with a Chauffeur: Etiquette, Timing and Tipping
What to expect from a professional chauffeur, what to tell them, how waiting time works and how much to tip a limo or car service driver.
3 min read
In the United States, a tip of 15 to 20 percent of the base fare is the usual gratuity for a limousine or car service driver, more for exceptional help. Before you tip, check whether a gratuity is already included in your quote or invoice, so you don't pay it twice. Beyond the tip, riding with a chauffeur is simple: be ready at the pickup time, tell us about any change through dispatch, and let your driver know what would make the ride better.
Here is what to expect, and how to get the most from the ride.
What a professional chauffeur does
A chauffeur's job goes beyond driving from A to B. On a typical ride, your chauffeur:
- Arrives before the pickup time, with the route and the traffic already checked.
- Handles your luggage, in and out of the car.
- Knows the details of your booking: flight number, stops, the name of the person being picked up.
- Drives smoothly and safely, at the pace the road and the weather allow.
- Keeps the car ready: clean, at a comfortable temperature, with reading lights for the back seat.
- Stays discreet. You can make calls, work or rest without being interrupted.
Our chauffeurs are briefed on every detail of your ride, and dispatch stays in contact with them throughout the trip.
How to make the ride go smoothly
Be ready at the pickup time
Your chauffeur plans the trip backward from your flight, your meeting or your event. Being at the door a few minutes early, with your bags packed, keeps that plan on schedule. If you will be late, call dispatch so the timing can be adjusted.
Give exact addresses
For apartment buildings, hotels, offices and hospitals, include the building, the entrance and anything a driver needs to find you. "Main entrance on the harbor side" saves five minutes of phone calls.
Make changes through dispatch
If your plans change, call our office at (617) 372-5729 (Nour), which answers 24 hours a day. Dispatch updates the booking and passes it on to your chauffeur, so the change is recorded and nothing gets lost between phones.
Mention anything special
Car seats, ski bags, a wheelchair that folds, a pet carrier, a passenger who needs help getting in: tell us when you book, and we will plan the right vehicle.
Buckle up and ask before eating
Wear your seat belt, front or back. If you want to bring food or drinks into the car, ask first.
Waiting time: how it usually works
Most car services include a short grace period at pickup, after which waiting time is charged. Airport pickups are often handled differently, because flights land late through no fault of yours. Policies vary by company, so ask how waiting time works when you book.
If you know you will need the driver to wait at several stops, book by the hour instead. The waiting is part of the plan.
How much to tip a limo or car service driver
| Situation | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Standard ride, good service | 15 to 20% of the base fare |
| Lots of luggage or extra help | 20% or more |
| Long day of hourly service | 15 to 20% of the total |
| Gratuity already included in the bill | Nothing extra required, unless the service was exceptional |
A few practical points:
- Check first. Many companies add a gratuity to the bill automatically. Look at your confirmation or invoice, or ask when you book.
- Base fare means the ride itself, not tolls, airport fees or taxes.
- Cash is always welcome at the end of the ride. If you would rather add the tip to your payment, ask the office when you book.
- For groups, one person can tip for the whole party at the end of the ride.
Etiquette for special occasions
- Weddings: give the chauffeur the timeline and a point person's phone number. The gratuity is often settled by the couple or a parent at the end of the day.
- Prom: parents agree on the itinerary in advance; students follow the rules of the car. See our prom safety checklist.
- Business: book guests in their own name, and let the chauffeur know if the passenger needs to work quietly on the way.
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude not to tip a chauffeur?
If a gratuity is already included in your bill, no further tip is expected. If it isn't, a tip is customary in the US for good service.
Should I tip on an airport transfer?
Yes, the same 15 to 20 percent applies, and a little more if your chauffeur handled heavy luggage or waited through a long delay.
Can I request the same chauffeur again?
Tell us when you book. We will do our best to send the same chauffeur when they are available on your date.
