It’s the most wonderful time of the year—Uber’s annual rider ratings ranking has arrived. With Christmas just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to find out if your Uber etiquette will land you on Santa’s naughty or nice list this year.

Uber rider ratings have become a cultural phenomenon in recent years, showing up in conversations at parties, during office chit chat, and even in online dating profiles. So, in the spirit of Christmas—and with Aussies taking more Uber rides than ever during the silly season—we’re unwrapping the rankings to reveal which cities and states are sleighing their rider ratings this year. 

While we’re all for rocking around the Christmas tree, let’s not beat around the bush — Aussies have been very nice this year. The national average Australian rider rating for 2024 is 4.82/5 stars.

But, like the lights twinkling on a tree, not all states shine equally. Will Newcastle top Saint Nick’s list again? Have Melbourne and Perth behaved better this year? Find out if your state can expect a gift from Santa—and see which ones might just be getting a lump of coal.

Average Rider Rating in Metro Areas

  1. Newcastle – 4.89 – The nicest, once again! 
  2. Cairns – 4.88
  3. Wollongong – 4.87
  4. Gold Coast – 4.87 
  5. Sunshine Coast – 4.86
  6. Sydney – 4.84
  7. Darwin – 4.83
  8. Hobart – 4.83
  9. Geelong – 4.83 

————————-National Average: 4.82

  1. Adelaide – 4.82
  2. Launceston – 4.82
  3. Brisbane – 4.82
  4. Canberra – 4.81
  5. Melbourne – 4.80
  6. Perth – 4.79 – The naughtiest…again

Average Rider Rating per State

  1. NSW – 4.84 – Climbing from 2nd place in 2023
  2. NT – 4.83
  3. QLD – 4.83
  4. TAS – 4.83

————————-National Average: 4.82

  1. SA – 4.82
  2. ACT – 4.81
  3. VIC – 4.80
  4. WA – 4.79 – There’s always next year, WA

How to check your Uber Rider Rating (we heard Santa checks his twice)

  1. Make sure you’ve got the latest version of the Uber app
  2. Open the app and tap Account (bottom right)
  3. Your star rating is waiting for you in the top left corner

If you want to further unwrap your rider rating, head to our Privacy Centre where you can see how many times you’ve earned a perfect 5-star rating from drivers. Just follow these simple steps:

  • In the settings menu, tap Privacy and then Privacy Centre
  • In the Privacy Centre, on the “Would you like to see a summary of how you use Uber?” tile, click on “See summary”
  • Scroll down to Ratings and tap on “View my ratings” to see the breakdown 

How to take your rider rating from slack to sleigh

No one likes a Scrooge, especially Uber driver-partners who share their time and vehicles with riders. Whether it’s dashing home from your Christmas party or prancing to the shops to nab yet another candle for your mum, good passenger etiquette is always appreciated. We asked Uber driver partners to share their tips on how to be a good passenger this summer and work your way up the nice list. We believe in you, Perth.

  1. Tick Tock: No one likes waiting, especially not under the mistletoe. Be ready when your driver arrives, and make sure the pick-up location you entered is where you’ll be.
  2. Don’t be a Grinch: Whether you’re a chatty rider or a Silent Night type, a friendly “hello” goes a long way. Uber driver partners often mention how much they appreciate those small interactions that make their day brighter, particularly during the festive season.
  3. Keep the sleigh clean: No one appreciates cookie crumbs and milk cartons left in their vehicles. Make sure you take your rubbish and belongings with you to help keep the car clean for the next rider to enjoy, and try to refrain from eating and drinking en route.
  4. Tinsel touch: With all the excitement of arriving at your destination, it’s easy to forget that slamming a door can leave a frosty impression. Door slams are frequently cited as the reason for deducted stars.
  5. Ride merrily and respectfully: This holiday season, let’s spread some cheer! As outlined in our Community Guidelines, we want everyone to feel safe, respected, and happy on every ride. Treat your driver and their vehicle with the same kindness you’d want for yourself.

Respect is a two-way street, and Uber only works when it’s beneficial for both riders and driver partners. That’s why we encourage feedback from both sides, asking riders and drivers to rate their rides and help enhance the Uber experience for everyone. You can learn more about Uber’s two-way rating system here

If your personal rating isn’t quite jingling your bells, remember it’s based on your last 500 trips—so whether you’ve been naughty or nice, there’s always room for improvement, not just over the 12 days of Christmas, but 365 days a year.