The etiquette of chauffeured black-car service is mostly common sense, but a few specifics catch first-time clients off-guard — particularly around tipping when gratuity is already built into the rate, what actually fits in the trunk of a sedan, and how child seats and pets work. Here is the practical guide we wish more clients had before their first ride.
Tipping conventions
The headline: most chauffeured car services in the New York metro area, including ours, build a chauffeur gratuity of 20-22% into the quoted rate. This is not a service charge or a fuel surcharge — it is a gratuity that goes to the chauffeur. Always check the line item on your quote or receipt to confirm.
When gratuity is included
If gratuity is included in your rate, no additional tip is expected. An additional cash tip of 5-10% is appreciated on long trips, on trips with extra luggage handling, or when the chauffeur went out of their way — held a car at a curb past the wait window, helped with a stroller, made a stop you did not plan for. It is not required.
When gratuity is not included
If you book a service that quotes a base fare without gratuity, 18-20% is standard. Round up to a clean number rather than calculating to the dollar. For an hourly booking with no included gratuity, tip on the total including any wait time.
Cash or card
Both work. Cash is appreciated because it lands with the chauffeur immediately. Cards added to the receipt are passed through within the standard payroll cycle. Tip on the receipt rather than handing the chauffeur a card directly.
Luggage: what actually fits
The single most common day-of issue we see is a group that booked a sedan and shows up with luggage for a 10-day trip. Here are the honest numbers.
Sedan
A standard executive sedan — Cadillac XTS, Lincoln Continental, Mercedes E-class, or similar — comfortably fits three passengers with carry-on bags or two passengers with two large checked bags each. The trunk is the constraint, not the cabin. If you have four passengers and any checked luggage, you need an SUV.
SUV
A Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, or Suburban fits 5-6 passengers with checked luggage for everyone. With the third row folded down, the cargo space takes 6-8 large checked bags. With the third row up, the cargo space takes 3-4 large checked bags or a stack of carry-ons.
Sprinter
A Mercedes Sprinter executive van fits 10-14 passengers with luggage stowed in the rear compartment. For a group that has a mix of checked and carry-on luggage, the sprinter is the only vehicle that handles it cleanly without splitting into two cars.
When in doubt, sizing up costs less than splitting
The price difference between a sedan and an SUV is usually less than the price of running two sedans. If you are close to the line on luggage or passenger count, book the bigger vehicle. It also makes for a more comfortable ride.
Child seats
Child seats are available on request in New York and Connecticut. State law requires child seats for children under 8 (NY) or under 8 and below 4 feet 9 inches (CT), regardless of whether the vehicle is a personal car, a taxi, or a chauffeured car service. Some local rules carve out exceptions for taxis and rideshare, but chauffeured black-car service is generally treated like a personal vehicle, and we follow the stricter standard.
What to request
Tell us at booking: the child’s age, weight, and height. We will provide the right seat — infant carrier, convertible, booster — at no additional charge on most reservations. For multiple children, request the seats together so we can configure the vehicle before pickup. SUVs handle multiple seats more easily than sedans.
What to bring yourself
If you have a specific seat your child is used to, you are welcome to bring it. We will install it correctly or watch you install it if you prefer. The chauffeur will not refuse to drive without a seat in place for a child who legally requires one.
Pets
Pets are welcome in our vehicles with advance notice. Pet-friendly rides are a separate request at booking — not all chauffeurs and not all vehicles in the fleet are configured for pets at all times, and giving us notice means we send a vehicle with the right interior treatment and we let the chauffeur know in advance.
How to request
At booking, tell us the type of pet, the size, whether they will be in a carrier, and whether they have any specific needs — anxiety, motion sickness, age. For dogs in carriers under 20 pounds, any vehicle works. For larger dogs or dogs out of carriers, we send an SUV with a rear-cargo setup and protective covers. Cats are easiest in a carrier in the rear seat.
Service animals
Service animals are accommodated without additional charge and without restriction under federal law. You do not need to disclose the disability or provide documentation, but it helps the chauffeur to know in advance that a service animal will be on the trip.
Other small things
Water and snacks
Bottled water is in every vehicle. Mints are usually in the center console. Eating a full meal in the car is fine but we ask that you let us know if you plan to so we can stage napkins and a trash bag. Strong-smelling food — fast food, anything with garlic or curry — is best avoided out of consideration for the next passenger.
Phone calls and Wi-Fi
Take calls freely. Wi-Fi is available on request in most vehicles and is standard on sprinters. If you are on a confidential call, just say so and the chauffeur will not engage in conversation.
Wait windows
Flat-rate transfers include a 15-minute wait window from the quoted pickup time. Airport arrivals include 30-60 minutes from landing. Beyond that, wait time bills at a per-15-minute or hourly rate. Tell us in advance if you expect to be late and we will usually hold without charge for legitimate reasons.
Book your ride
Westchester Limousine handles airport transfers, weddings, corporate trips, and hourly bookings across Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, and Fairfield County. Tell us about your trip — passenger count, luggage, child seats, pets — and we will send the right vehicle with the right setup. Call 914-222-1919 or book online.