A woman is going viral on TikTok after sharing what she described as an absurd request from her Uber driver moments after she got in the car. Lexie Pickering (@lexie_pickering) said she was traveling to Perth, Australia, when the driver tried to charge her an extra fee on top of the ride to turn on the air conditioning. “Just paid $50 for an Uber from the airport for the Uber driver to say ‘$5 for aircon.’ It is [95] degrees in Perth rn,” she wrote in the text overlay of her clip, adding. “He is suffering with me,” in her clip’s caption. Pickering later told viewers in the comments section that drivers aren’t allowed to tack on charges like that and said she ultimately received a refund. Still, the story quickly caught traction online, with viewers flooding the comments section to weigh in. As of this writing, the video has pulled in more than 1.2 million views. Can Uber Drivers Charge For A/C? No. Though there are reports of some Uber drivers being stingy about running their A/C during rides, air conditioning is considered a basic feature of the ride. It’s not treated as an add-on or premium service that drivers can toggle on for an extra fee. Uber’s vehicle standards require climate control to be functional, and riders booking standard services are paying for a car that’s safe and reasonably comfortable—which includes working A/C. As Pickering’s follow-up comment would suggest, drivers who charge extra for it are violating platform policy. Riders aren’t expected to negotiate or pay side fees once the trip has started. When a driver refuses to turn on the air or asks for more money, passengers can report the experience directly through the app. Complaints tied to ride conditions or driver conduct can trigger refunds, trip adjustments, or follow-up from Uber’s support team. Some riders also choose to cancel trips outright if the issue comes up before the ride begins. Stories like Pickering’s tend to go viral, in part, because they tap into a broader expectation about rideshare norms. Riders rightly assume core features like air conditioning come standard, especially during high-heat travel days. That said, if you hear stories—or experience firsthand—that an Uber driver is trying to charge extra for A/C, know that doing so is both unusual and unethical. Viewers Cannot Believe Driver’s Audacity Commenters who came across Pickering’s clip said they were just as gobsmacked as she was that a driver would try to charge extra for something riders assume comes standard. Several viewers argued the request crossed a line, while others urged her to escalate the issue directly with Uber or the driver. “0 stars,” one person quipped. Another flagged the legality of the situation. “It’s actually illegal for them to charge extra,” they pointed out. “No air, no tip, is how you respond,” a third viewer added. One commenter laid out a more detailed course of action. “I’d send a report straight to Uber saying I felt unsafe and for him to be investigated,” they suggested. “I’d then cancel the job while in the car and list that as a reason, forcing him to pull over, and Uber issuing a refund. Then I’d just book another.” Others chimed in with how they would’ve handled the moment themselves, either from experience or pure frustration. “I messaged Uber when someone tried to do this to me and showed them they weren’t allowed to do this,” one woman shared. “Get your ride comped and report them.” “I actually would have wound the windows down and then canceled the ride,” another wrote. “What the literal?” “Report them,” a third urged. One viewer took a more comedic approach. “Fart in the car,” they joked. “If he complains, tell him it’s $20 flatulence avoidance fee.” Motor1 has reached out to Pickering via a direct message on TikTok and to Uber through email. We will update this story if either party responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team