SHOULD YOU TIP A TOW TRUCK DRIVER?

Here in the US, it is standard practice to tip people who provide you a service, such as your waiters at restaurants. Unlike in other countries, if you do not tip you are seen as rude and unappreciative.

This is because your servers are often relying on tips to make up most of their income, or else they will struggle to afford basic necessities. 

However, while everyone knows it’s important to tip their servers at restaurants, etc, nobody quite knows the rules of tipping anywhere else in the US.

There are many other services that help us out in our day-to-day lives that could potentially necessitate or facilitate tipping, tow truck drivers being one of them. 

But are you supposed to tip a tow truck driver for getting you out of a tight spot, like you tip a waiter at a restaurant?

This article will help you find out! Here we will discuss everything you need to know about tipping tow truck drivers, so you know exactly what to do if you are ever stuck on the road. 

What Is A Tow Truck Driver?

A tow truck driver is someone who helps people get back on the road after an accident has occurred. They may be called upon to assist with any type of vehicle damage, whether it be small or large.

The job can be very stressful, especially when there is a lot of traffic involved. It can also be dangerous, since accidents happen all the time, and sometimes these accidents involve heavy machinery. 

What Does The Role Of A Truck Driver Entail?

To help you out on the road, a truck driver will do the following: 

• Works alongside the road at any hour of the day 
• Crawl under cars to fix issues in any weather – rain, mud, etc. 
• Inquires at auto part stores to find the necessary parts for your vehicle 
• Saves you extra towing costs by checking under the hood of your vehicle 
• Sometimes, they give you a ride home, making any necessary stops on the way
• And of course, tows your vehicle off the road

Do You Need To Tip Tow Truck Drivers?

No, you do not need to tip your tow truck driver. Unlike other services, it is not expected to tip your tow truck driver.

However, many people still do! Studies found that around 50% of people will tip their tow truck driver!

How Much Do People Tip Tow Truck Drivers?

People will tip tow truck drivers at anything between $5 to $20. Generally, tipping anywhere between $5-10 is considered amongst tow truck drivers to be a kind gesture, while $20 is perceived as a great tip! 

If you want to know how much to tip your tow truck driver, then people will generally state that $5-10 is for a great job, and tipping $20 can be reserved for any extra time or effort taken on behalf of the tow truck driver. 

Why Tip Tow Truck Drivers If It Is Not Necessary?

Many people choose to tip their tow truck driver because they provide excellent care and consideration to help people out of dangerous situations.

They do important work for society, as they help to fix vehicles and help people get back on the roads so they can travel with ease for work, etc. 

Additionally, tow truck work is skilled labor. Tow truck drivers are often in dangerous and difficult situations, so many people consider it a nice gesture to show appreciation for the work that they do. 

Of course, you do not need to tip your tow driver, and if you are not in a great income situation then you should not feel bad about not tipping.

Tow truck drivers do not depend on or expect tips, but they are grateful for them! 

When To Tip A Tow Truck Driver

Here are some tow truck service scenarios where you may want to consider tipping your tow truck driver: 

• If they help you out during bad weather conditions 
• They called to update you if they were running late 
• They take your safety into consideration 
• You require a ride home 
• They appear on site very quickly 
• They look under the hood of your vehicle 
• They take extra care when handling your vehicle 
• They are polite and give you regular updates on your car 
• If you are stuck in traffic, and the tow takes longer than usual 

When Not To Tip A Tow Truck Driver

Sometimes, there are situations where you definitely should not give a tow truck service person a tip. Here are some examples! 

• If your tow truck driver is rude 
• If your tow truck driver is unprofessional in any way
• If your tow truck driver damages your car 
• If your tow truck driver overcharges you for their services 

What To Do Instead Of Tipping

If you cannot tip your tow truck driver, then do not despair! There are other things you can do to show your appreciation. 

In general, (and you should try to do this anyway) you should give clear directions as to where you are and describe your vehicle well.

To go the extra mile, you can leave an excellent review online, promote their services on social media or share their business cards, and even give some coupons for a free meal or drink. 

How Much Does A Tow Truck Driver Make?

The national average hourly wage for a tow truck driver is $13.34 an hour, and most tow truck drivers can make anything between $10-19 an hour. Sometimes, depending on the tow truck company, tow truck drivers will receive a 30-35% commission. 

Final Thoughts

Breakdowns and other road issues are an inevitable part of driving. Luckily, the towing industry is excellent, and there are many towing services that are quick to help out and get you and your vehicle to safety. 

It is not necessary to tip tow truck drivers like it is necessary to tip in other services.

However, you may want to consider tipping if your tow truck driver provides you with quick service, any extra road services, showed exceptional skill, or was generally helpful and made sure you got to safety. 

However, do not feel bad if you cannot tip! There are many other things you can do to show appreciation to your tow truck driver.

We hope this article helped you to understand whether or not you should tip tow truck drivers.