Ridesharing is available in numerous countries worldwide. According to market research company eMarketer, in 2016 nearly 27 million U.S. adults used a rideshare service. In Austin, Texas although we don’t have Lyft or Uber, or we make use of Fare, Fasten, Get Me, InstaRyde, RideAustin, Wingz, and Z-Trip.

While being a rideshare passenger seems simple enough, many passengers overlook basic manners. Consider these 10 rideshare passenger modern manners tips:

  1. Be Timely: Order your ride when you’re 100% ready to go. The driver may be around the corner, so don’t make them or other passengers wait.  
  2. Crowded Pick-up Point: After ordering your vehicle, if your location is crowded, text the driver a distinctive description to assist w/ identification.  
  3. Driver Contact: Avoid calling or texting a driver unless absolutely necessary. Not only is using a handheld device while driving prohibited in many cities and localities; it’s dangerous.
  4. Driver Confirmation: Confirm the driver’s name, face, vehicle and license number before entering the vehicle with the rideshare app.  
  5. Open Your Own Car Door: Depending on the city, traffic patterns, and local ordinances, some drivers may open the car door for you. However, in certain locales this is prohibited. Please don’t act like you are entitled to this service.
  6. Entering & Seating: In the U.S., enter on the curb side, away from traffic. Sit in the back seat, on the passenger side, diagonal to the driver to answer driver questions.
  7. Speak-Up: Share your thoughts politely if the driver is using a non-preferred route, driving too fast, etc. If they don’t listen, provide specific feedback.
  8. No Mess: No feet on the seat, eating, drinking alcohol or any beverage, smoking e-cigarettes, barfing, changing diapers or messy behavior. Take your trash with you.
  9. Feedback: Be honest when rating your driver. Understand that a rating of anything less than 5 stars may jeopardize the driver.
  10. Tipping: Tipping for great service is the U.S. American way! If you’ve ever been a server, then you appreciate rewarding good service.

Sharon Schweitzer, J.D., is a cross-cultural trainer, an international protocol expert and the founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management with the HOFSTEDE center, she serves as a Chinese Ceremonial and Banquet Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People and NTD Television Canada. She is the resident etiquette expert for popular morning lifestyle shows: ABC Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend and CBS Austin’s We Are Austin. She is regularly quoted by BBC Capital, Investor’s Business Daily, Fortune, National Business Journal, Reader’s Digest and Stylecaster. Her international award-winning, best-selling book Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, now in its second printing, was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2015. Sharon is the winner of the British Airways International Trade, Investment & Expansion Award at the 2016 Greater Austin Business Awards.