Uber is, generally speaking, pretty simple. You get a quote for a ride, you pay it, and you get taken to your destination—right?
For as long as there have been rideshare apps, there have been issues and horror stories. While most Uber rides start and finish without issue, there’s always the chance that something goes awry—either leaving passengers stranded or making them wait for longer and pay more than they originally thought.
One internet user recently shared her own experience with Uber, and it has commenters asking: Do you need to pay the tolls on an Uber ride?
What Happened During This Woman’s Uber Ride?
In a video with over 176,000 views, TikTok user Taylor (@tayloramari_) shows herself in the back of an Uber. She is in the middle of a conversation with her Uber driver. It’s clear that there is a disagreement about payment.
“The Uber was eighty dollars. That’s how much I paid. Eighty. And I scheduled it ahead of time, so, I don’t know. I already paid $80,” she says.
“You have to give me something now for the tolls,” the driver responds. In the caption, Taylor says that she had called the Uber to the airport—a trip that involves tolls.
“You want me to pay out of my pocket?” she asks.
“Yeah, of course,” the driver responds.
In disbelief, Taylor announces that she’ll simply get out of the car and call another one. She further states that she’ll be reporting the driver, noting that she recorded the entire interaction.
“POV: you live in Jersey and got an Uber to LaGuardia airport on Christmas morning and the Uber driver asked you to pay him money out of your pocket because of the tolls,” she summarizes in the text overlaying the video.
Can Uber Drivers Ask You To Pay For Tolls Out-Of-Pocket?
It’s against Uber’s policies for drivers to ask passengers to reimburse them for tolls.
This makes sense, as the price of the toll is already factored into a passenger’s fare. As noted on the Uber website, “When your driver’s vehicle passes through a toll or an area with a surcharge, the toll amount is added to your fare.”
If a passenger is asked to pay for a toll in cash, Uber requests that the passenger get in contact with the company so that the issue can be resolved.
Some Uber drivers on Reddit have cited issues getting repaid for tolls from Uber. In response, Uber suggests reaching out to the company to rectify the issue. Regardless, it is not the passenger’s responsibility to directly pay the driver for the toll.
Should An Uber Driver Ever Ask You For Cash?
Passengers have cited all sorts of issues with Uber drivers. While many suspect that any case of an Uber driver asking for additional money is wrong, is it really true that you should never give your Uber driver cash?
If desired, you are allowed to tip your driver in cash. There are also cases where one can pay their entire fare in cash.
However, these options are based on customer choice, not on a request from the driver. If a driver asks you for cash, they are acting against Uber policies and can be reported to the company.
Commenters Are On Her Side
In the comments section, users supported the TikToker, with some offering theories about why the Uber driver was insistent on a cash payment.
“He doesn’t get reimbursed for the tolls back to NJ. Once the ride is done. I think that’s what he is asking for,” wrote a user. “I often uber from Jersey to NYC for work early in the morning (2-4am) and I always tip enough to cover the tolls back. (It’s a work account so not my money LOL). But the reason for this is because NJ drivers can’t pick up new rides in NYC unless they have a taxi license. So the gas and tolls going back to NJ where they can pick up another ride are fully on them. Not saying it’s right. It’s the risk they taking driving ride share in the tri state area. But it’s an explanation.”
“The tolls are included in the price. Report them,” stated another.
“He probably got like 20 or less for the trip,” shared a third. “I paid 80 to go home one time and they said all they got was $15 the problem is the app they choose to drive.”
BroBible reached out to Uber via email and Taylor via TikTok direct message and comment.