How to keep your Uber passenger score near a perfect 5

IS your Uber passenger rating lower than you think it should be? Here are Melbourne drivers’ dos and don’ts while you’re in their cars, plus tips on how you can improve your score.

GET your feet off the dash and don’t vomit. They seem like pretty simple requests for an Uber driver to ask of a passenger. Turns out they’re not.

Even if you’ve only used Uber once you have a passenger star rating.

After every trip customers are rated by their Uber drivers, similarly to how you rate a driver after you’ve arrived at your destination.

From vomiting to spitting, the Herald Sun has heard a number of tales about passengers who got a little too comfortable when jumping in the back of an Uber.

Uber driver Melanie Evans McInroy with her car. Picture: Nicole Garmston

One driver, Michael, said he was once forced to carry a drunken girl up to her front door after she passed out on his back seat.

But it doesn’t end there, two friends who drank a little more than they could handle had the sudden urge to be sick while on a trip.

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“I picked up two really drunk girls from The Emerson and took them to St. Hotel,” he said.

“We stopped on Commercial Rd and Punt Rd and one opened the door and threw up, then we got to Barkly St and the other opened her door and did the same thing.

“The worst age group is 18 to 22 year olds, they’re generally the drunks that throw up.”

Michael said the Melbourne Cup Carnival was his favourite time of the year, while university O week was the worst.

Mutual respect between the rider and driver was the key to making every Uber journey enjoyable. Picture: Marc McCormack

Another driver, who only wanted to be known as Sam, said his pet peeve was passengers who dropped their pick-up pin in an unrealistic place.

“The biggest sting is when people order an Uber and stand right on the corner of Finders and Spencer St at peak hour,” he said.

“How do you expect me to be able to pick you up?”

Sam recommended all drivers avoid Chapel St nightclubs like the plague in the early hours of the morning.

He said picking people up from the MCG after an AFL game was also a nightmare as Punt Rd is closed and people get impatient.

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Drivers said back seat-breakups and confessions of infidelity were common.

The Herald Sun read through a number of Melbourne Uber driver forums and uncovered a number of interesting stories, including one of a man sneaking a friend into the boot and another of a woman forcing her driver to stop in the middle of the freeway so she could urinate.

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However, it’s not a laughing matter, if your score dips too low you may find it hard to catch a ride — Sam saying he would not pick up a passenger with a star rating lower than four.

Uber also pointed out they have banned riders from using the app in Melbourne for breaching the app’s community guidelines.

Uber Victoria State Manager, Lucas Groeneveld, said mutual respect between the rider and driver was the key to making every journey enjoyable for everyone in the car.

“Melbourne drivers tell us they enjoy the social aspect of driving and above all else just want riders to be respectful of their car, personal space, safety on the road and time,” he said.

To find out your Uber rating open the app and click the three horizontal bars in the top left corner.

All passengers have a rating out of five. Picture: AP Photo

If your rating is disappointing, fear not, we’ve spoken to Uber and their drivers and asked them for some hot tips on how to improve your rating:

Pin it to win it

Take a few seconds to make sure your pin is dropped in the right place.

Consider busy streets, illegal parking and other places that may make pick-ups challenging.

Please don’t pile in

Most Uber cars can only fit four riders.

If you have too many people request another car so everyone can ride safely.

Time is money

Be ready to hop into your Uber when it arrives.

Make sure you’re in the right car

Confirm your first name with your driver and ask them to do the same before you hop in.

The make, model, colour and license plate of your ride will appear in the app.

Laureon Kumar with her Uber car. Picture: John Gass

Be courteous and use your manners

It’s not hard to say please and thank you.

Treat your driver as you would like to be treated and be sure to treat your driver’s car with care.

Don’t smoke, drink or eat on the trip.

Keep the noise at a reasonable level

While most drivers will happily play your choice of music, be mindful of their eardrums.

No one likes someone who smells

Deodorant. Deodorant. Deodorant.

Remember they don’t know what you look like

You have their car details and a photo, they don’t have yours.

Saying you’re wearing a suit outside Flemington is not helpful.

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