NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Business

Tips and tricks to give you a five-star passenger Uber rating

NZ Herald
5 Sep, 2018 10:18 PM5 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Uber released a new set of community guidelines to offer insider tips and tricks in response to the most common complaints that lead to lower ratings and account deactivation. Photo / 123rf

Uber released a new set of community guidelines to offer insider tips and tricks in response to the most common complaints that lead to lower ratings and account deactivation. Photo / 123rf

Worried Uber's new rules could leave you banned from catching a late-night ride? Here are some tricks and tips to give you a five-star passenger rating.

Only 20 per cent of all riders are holding a coveted five-star rating, and with new guidelines expelling passengers who behave badly, many users are keen to join the select five-star club.

Uber has released its top tips and ways to avoid getting your account suspended.

1. Location

Time and time again passengers pin their pick-up point in the wrong spot.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Many passengers try and get picked up in bus zones or difficult areas that leave drivers frustrated as they try to locate you.

Take an extra moment to confirm an easy pick-up location. It also helps to use the in-app messaging tool to communicate specific details with the driver. This will go a long way to achieving a good rating.

2. Saying hello

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Sounds simple, right? But drivers are finding too many passengers fail to use their manners - like "please" or "thank you".

While some passengers may not want to engage in conversation, using basic manners will create a positive first impression and bump that rating up!

3. Don't be the annoying backseat driver

Everyone has that one friend who does this. "Turn here. You should have gone left. Follow this shortcut."

Discover more

Sustainable business & finance

Uber narrows its search for countries to host flying cars - but NZ's off the list

30 Aug 05:54 AM
Freight and logistics

Sex, vomit, guns: Uber tightens riding rules

04 Sep 10:01 PM

The Uber driver doesn't want to have to put up with your s**t. Drivers already have a set route on their screens.

Making last-minute alterations is insulting to the driver.

Don't tell the driver to run orange and red lights. Be polite, respectful and patient. Because maybe then you'll turn that two-star rating into a five.

4. Take your rubbish

If you're bringing rubbish into the car, do the right thing and dispose of it yourself.

If you're lucky, the driver may offer to do it for you. But don't be the one who leaves a mess in the driver's car. They're the ones who have to clean it up when they return home.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

5. Don't slam doors

Respect the driver's property. Saying thank you and goodbye before gently closing the door will leave a positive final impression.

Slamming the door shut while in a rush can show disrespect towards the driver.

Finish the drive off on the good foot and you'll see your Uber rating hit five!

Uber released a series of misdemeanors that impact both riders and drivers, and could result in either party having their account terminated. Photo / Getty
Uber released a series of misdemeanors that impact both riders and drivers, and could result in either party having their account terminated. Photo / Getty

Uber spells out rules on sex, vomiting and firearms

Uber is imposing new rules banning behaviour such as contact with someone in cars that breaches its "no sex rule".

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

New rules coming into force later this month state there must be no physical contact with the driver or fellow riders.

"As our community guidelines make clear, you shouldn't touch or flirt with other people in the car. As a reminder, Uber has a no sex rule. That's no sexual conduct with drivers or fellow riders, no matter what," the company says.

It said that nobody should hit or otherwise hurt a driver or fellow passengers.

Use of inappropriate and abusive language or gestures could also lead to a ban.

"For example, asking overly personal questions, using verbal threats, and making comments or gestures that are aggressive, sexual, discriminatory, or disrespectful."

The San Francisco-based company has been under scrutiny itself over allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination at its corporate office.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

In an email sent to New Zealand users today, the company also spells out other reasons why you could lose access to Uber as a rider.

This includes damaging drivers' or other passengers' property. This includes damaging the car, breaking or vandalising a phone, intentionally spilling food or drink, smoking, or vomiting due to excessive alcohol consumption.

Unwanted contact with the driver or fellow passenger after the trip is over could also get you kicked off the app.

This includes texting, calling, or visiting someone in person after a ride has been completed.

"Remember, in Australia and New Zealand you can call and text your driver directly from the Uber app without ever having to share your personal phone number. This means that your phone number stays anonymous and is never given to the driver."

Breaking the local law while using Uber is also a no-no.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

This includes bringing open containers of alcohol or drugs into the car, travelling in large groups that exceed the number of seat belts in the car; asking drivers to break local traffic laws such as speed limits, or using Uber to commit a crime, including drug and human trafficking or the sexual exploitation of children.

Uber prohibits riders and drivers from carrying firearms in a vehicle while using the app. Uber says that if is made aware of these kinds of problem behaviours, it will contact the rider to investigate them.

Depending on the nature of the concern, Uber could put a hold on the account during the investigation.

"If the issues raised are serious or a repeat offence, or you refuse to co-operate, you may lose access to Uber. Any behaviour involving violence, sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination, or illegal activity while using Uber can result in the immediate loss of access to your account."

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Business

Premium
Airlines

Pilot sacked over Covid-19 vaccine wins Employment Court case

08 Jul 07:09 AM
Premium
Manufacturing

On The Up: Freeze-dried food maker aims for major growth with Rebel Sport, Foodstuffs deals

08 Jul 07:00 AM
Premium
Shares

Market close: NZX not crying over spilt a2 Milk, gains 0.74%

08 Jul 05:51 AM

Audi offers a sporty spin on city driving with the A3 Sportback and S3 Sportback

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Business

Premium
Pilot sacked over Covid-19 vaccine wins Employment Court case

Pilot sacked over Covid-19 vaccine wins Employment Court case

08 Jul 07:09 AM

'Great' pilot was sacked despite doctor's vaccine advice, request for Novavax.

Premium
On The Up: Freeze-dried food maker aims for major growth with Rebel Sport, Foodstuffs deals

On The Up: Freeze-dried food maker aims for major growth with Rebel Sport, Foodstuffs deals

08 Jul 07:00 AM
Premium
Market close: NZX not crying over spilt a2 Milk, gains 0.74%

Market close: NZX not crying over spilt a2 Milk, gains 0.74%

08 Jul 05:51 AM
Reserve Bank of Australia surprises markets, holds cash rate at 3.85%

Reserve Bank of Australia surprises markets, holds cash rate at 3.85%

08 Jul 05:45 AM
Gold demand soars amid global turmoil
sponsored

Gold demand soars amid global turmoil

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP