diff --git a/docs/content/drive.md b/docs/content/drive.md
index 1a5028ce3..da82123c2 100644
--- a/docs/content/drive.md
+++ b/docs/content/drive.md
@@ -169,9 +169,10 @@ was
 
 ### Deleting files ###
 
-By default rclone will delete files permanently when requested.  If
-sending them to the trash is required instead then use the
-`--drive-use-trash` flag.
+By default rclone will send all files to the trash when deleting
+files.  If deleting them permanently is required then use the
+`--drive-use-trash=false` flag, or set the equivalent environment
+variable.
 
 ### Emptying trash ###
 
@@ -271,8 +272,9 @@ File size cutoff for switching to chunked upload.  Default is 8 MB.
 
 #### --drive-use-trash ####
 
-Send files to the trash instead of deleting permanently. Defaults to
-off, namely deleting files permanently.
+Controls whether files are sent to the trash or deleted
+permanently. Defaults to true, namely sending files to the trash.  Use
+`--drive-use-trash=false` to delete files permanently instead.
 
 ### Limitations ###
 
diff --git a/drive/drive.go b/drive/drive.go
index 04ded87f3..812067bd0 100644
--- a/drive/drive.go
+++ b/drive/drive.go
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ const (
 var (
 	// Flags
 	driveAuthOwnerOnly = fs.BoolP("drive-auth-owner-only", "", false, "Only consider files owned by the authenticated user.")
-	driveUseTrash      = fs.BoolP("drive-use-trash", "", false, "Send files to the trash instead of deleting permanently.")
+	driveUseTrash      = fs.BoolP("drive-use-trash", "", true, "Send files to the trash instead of deleting permanently.")
 	driveSkipGdocs     = fs.BoolP("drive-skip-gdocs", "", false, "Skip google documents in all listings.")
 	driveSharedWithMe  = fs.BoolP("drive-shared-with-me", "", false, "Only show files that are shared with me")
 	driveTrashedOnly   = fs.BoolP("drive-trashed-only", "", false, "Only show files that are in the trash")