Treat people as you would like to be treated yourself. It’s a universal truth – and something that’s important here at Uber. That’s because whether you’re a passenger trying to get from A to B—or a driver-partner wanting to earn money—we want everyone to enjoy the ride.

That’s why we’re updating our Community Guidelines. They explain the kind of behaviour expected from both riders and driver-partners when using Uber and for the first time in Australia and New Zealand they will be updated to include specific requirements around rider star ratings — similar to star rating requirements for driver-partners.

The new updates will take effect on September 19 and will see riders who fall below a minimum average rating lose access to the Uber app, after several notifications have been provided. This is a vital step in maintaining an enjoyable experience for both riders and driver-partners on the app, and fostering an environment of mutual respect.

This is important because when driver-partners use Uber they do more than simply drive: they’re sharing their own car, their space, their time and a slice of who they are with passengers.

We all know of driver-partners who go above and beyond to create a five-star experience for their riders: from helping an elderly person get into and out of the car, to offering water for the trip or making sure that riders get home safely while listening to some fun tunes after a night out.

What does it take to be a five star rider? Driver partners share their top tips

We’re proud that Uber brings people together who come from very different backgrounds: whether it’s tourists; students sharing a trip on UberPool; or people driving to earn extra money.

Everyone can enjoy a five-star ride when people respect each other’s differences and treat their travelling companions the way they’d like to be treated themselves.