(Lyft Photo)

If you forget to tip or rate your driver, don’t worry — Lyft says it has your back. Even if you didn’t actually forget.

Starting next month, Lyft announced that it will be adding new features with the aim of giving its drivers “more tips” and “greater rating protection.”

The first change is a default tipping percentage that users of the ride-hailing service can select if they don’t instead choose a specific tip amount after a ride. Riders will also be able to tip while a ride is underway, not just after it’s over.

The second change is one over which riders have no direct control — drivers will automatically get a five-star rating if a rider forgets to rate them. In addition, the company said, “To protect good drivers from one-off low ratings that can have an inflated impact on their overall average, we will be continuously removing each driver’s single lowest rating for every 100 rides they give.” Lyft also plans to require riders explain all ratings of four stars or less, and will remove ratings for factors outside of the driver’s control, like heavy traffic.

Lyft’s new default tipping feature. (Lyft Image)

Lyft explains the default five-star rating is something its Driver Advisory Council had recommended, and gives driver rating procedures parity with rider ratings, who get five-star ratings if the driver doesn’t rate them. “When a passenger doesn’t rate a trip, it’s usually because everything ran like clockwork, and they were satisfied with their service,” the company said.

Lyft says the new tipping options will appear for “select riders” in December, with broader rollout after the New Year. The company also says an earlier redesign of the app’s tipping screen led to a 20 percent increase in the amount drivers earned from tips since this past June.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.