How to improve your Uber rating

So, you want to be a 5-star rider and improve your Uber rating? First things first: check your rating. Open the app, click the menu icon at the top left corner, and your rating will show up under your name.

Did you just wince? You don’t understand how you could possibly be anything below a 4.9? Don’t fear! We asked drivers what makes a 5-star rider, and they gave us a few tips that will help you get that rating up. Remember, your rating is based off of your last 500 trips, so even if you start upping your Uber etiquette right away, it will take some time for the number to change.  

Above all, this is the feedback we hear that drivers want from their riders. A simple “Hello, how’s your day going?” goes a long way in what drivers think of you. Additionally, how you word something can make all the difference. Which sounds more like a 5-star rider: “Where’s the aux cord?” or “Would you mind if I used the aux cord?”?

Don’t request a ride before you’re ready to leave—for real. Every minute your driver spends waiting for you is a moment they’re not on another trip earning money. If you’re going with a group, make sure everyone is out of the bathroom and ready before requesting.

In high school, you may have been able to fit 7 people in a Camry, but a) you shouldn’t have, and b) you shouldn’t ask your Uber driver to do so. If you need a ride for more than 4 people (including yourself), request an uberXL or UberSUV. Additionally, wear your seatbelt. Drivers do their best to get you safely to your destination, and you should do your part to help them.

This goes for both your language and your personal space. Cursing can make some drivers uncomfortable (which will make them rate you lower!), and it goes without saying that leaving your trash in the car and putting your feet on the dashboard or seats is just not cool.

Teenagers who are mad at their parents slam doors, not 5-star riders.

Show your driver that you appreciate them getting you home safely—especially if they went the extra mile to help you or give great service—by giving them a tip and leaving a custom compliment.

A few things to keep in mind—unless you have only 3 trips in your back pocket, your rating won’t change overnight; it takes effort to be a 5-star rider, and who you ride with impacts your score as well.