Short answer: Tipping a tow truck driver in the US is optional. When people do, $5 to $20 is usual, depending on how difficult the job was. With no cash on you, the options are: ask the driver, ask them to add it to the card charge, check the roadside app, or leave a named review.
How much to tip a tow truck driver
| Situation | Usual tip |
|---|---|
| Jump start, tyre change or lockout | $5 to $10 |
| Standard tow | $10 to $20 |
| Winch-out, late night or severe weather | $20 or more |
These are customary amounts in the United States, in US dollars. They are a guide, not a rule: tip more for exceptional service.
Do you have to tip a tow truck driver?
No. It is a thank-you for a hard job done well. If the tow is covered by a roadside membership or your insurer, the driver is paid a flat rate per call and tips are welcome but not assumed.
Can you tip a tow truck driver by card?
Usually not. With roadside assistance no payment changes hands at all, and when you pay the tow company by card the driver's reader may have no tip option.
4 ways to tip a tow truck driver without cash
- Ask the driver. "Can I tip you by phone?" Many owner-operators have a payment handle or a QR code in the cab.
- Ask them to add it to the card charge. This works when the driver is also the owner.
- Check the roadside app. Some assistance apps now offer a tip step after the call is closed.
- Leave a named review. Tow companies win contracts on ratings, and drivers are often paid bonuses on them.
What a tip QR code does
If a tow truck driver shows you a QR code, point your phone camera at it. A payment page opens in your browser, you choose an amount, and you pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card. You do not install anything or create an account, and it works with cards from other countries.
If you cannot tip on the day
Nothing is owed. Take the truck number and call the company to commend the driver by name.
Outside the United States
Outside North America tow drivers are not normally tipped.
Do you work as a tow truck driver?
You meet people on the worst hour of their week, at the roadside, often at night, and they have no cash. When they want to thank you, you have had no simple way to say yes.
See how tow truck drivers take card tips with a QR code: where to put it, what to write on the sign and how to mention it.
Common questions
How much should I tip a tow truck driver?
Tipping a tow truck driver in the US is optional. When people do, $5 to $20 is usual, depending on how difficult the job was.
Do I have to tip a tow truck driver?
No. It is a thank-you for a hard job done well. If the tow is covered by a roadside membership or your insurer, the driver is paid a flat rate per call and tips are welcome but not assumed.
Can I tip a tow truck driver with a card or Apple Pay?
Usually not. With roadside assistance no payment changes hands at all, and when you pay the tow company by card the driver's reader may have no tip option.
What if I have no cash to tip a tow truck driver?
Nothing is owed. Take the truck number and call the company to commend the driver by name.