As an independent rideshare driver, having an excellent Uber rating is essential to getting more business and having riders trust you.
Even if you think you’re doing everything right, these tips will help you increase your Uber rating and make more money.
Why Are Uber Driver Ratings Important?
There are many reasons Uber driver ratings are important, but most importantly, they can help you make more money. With good ratings, you have a chance of earning higher fares, getting more rides, and earning more tips.
Riders frequently view driver ratings and choose according to who has the best rating. You can also climb up Uber’s tiers, making more money the higher you go.
How to Check Your Ratings
Keeping a high rating is essential to your earnings and retaining your status as an Uber driver, so it’s important to know how to check your ratings and to do it often. Uber ratings frequently change since they are an average of your last 500 ratings.
To check your Uber ratings, open the app and click the menu icon. It’s located in the upper left corner. Next, click on your profile photo. Under your photo, you’ll see your average rating. Click on that number to see more details.
How Do Uber Driver Ratings Work?
Uber encourages riders to leave ratings immediately following their ride. Riders can rate drivers on a scale of one to five stars, with five being the best.
If a rider rates a driver with anything lower than five stars, Uber will ask for an explanation. This doesn’t mean you’ll be penalized immediately.
In fact, Uber doesn’t require drivers to have a 5-star rating. Instead, they use the feedback as constructive criticism to help drivers improve their service, receive future 5-star ratings, and earn more money.
Consequences of Poor Ratings
Poor ratings don’t automatically mean you cannot drive for Uber, especially if it’s an isolated incident.
However, there will be consequences if you have too many poor ratings. Uber doesn’t provide warnings or remove privileges until your average rating is lower than the city’s average where you drive. So what happens if you get to that threshold?
- First, it’s a warning. Uber will let you know your rating fell and share feedback so you know what you should change to increase your overall rating.
- Uber may also suggest you take one of their third-party Quality Improvement courses to improve your ratings.
- If you don’t improve your services or take care of past riders’ complaints, you risk losing your Uber driver privileges.
Uber tries to provide advance notice if you’re at risk of losing your account, and in the case of low ratings, that’s usually possible. However, they state that in extreme circumstances, when there are legal or safety concerns, they may revoke your driving rights without warning.
Benefits of Good Ratings
Receiving good ratings has its benefits beyond maintaining your privilege to drive for Uber. Other benefits include:
- Drive for higher tiers – Uber has several tiers you can qualify for with higher star ratings, such as Uber Black, if you drive a luxury vehicle and have an average star rating of 4.85 stars.
- Earn more rewards on Uber Pro – The more you drive and the better ratings you get, the higher your Uber Pro status will be. Uber Pros in the platinum and diamond tiers earn the highest rewards, like cashback on gas, car maintenance savings, and discounted health insurance plans.
- Higher earnings – When you reach higher tiers, you earn more money from Uber’s fees, and higher-tier riders often tip more.
Knowing how to improve your Uber star rating is important. Your bank account will thank you, as Uber drivers with higher ratings usually make the most money.
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How to Improve Your Uber Driving Ratings
Improving your Uber driver rating is possible and is easier than you may think. Here are eight simple steps to raise your Uber star rating.
1. Keep Your Vehicle Clean
Think of the first impression you give your riders when you arrive. If your car’s exterior is dirty, they’ll automatically wonder what the inside looks like. Consider regular car washes and window cleanings, even if it has to be done a few times a week.
To go the extra mile, you could wax your car or detail the tires to make it look extra sharp when you arrive.
Cleaning the inside of your vehicle is just as important. Again, think of first impressions, and don’t forget the small details!
- Vacuum daily – At the end of each day, or between rides, use a handheld vacuum and clean up the interior, including any crumbs or debris left by other passengers.
- Dust the dash – Keep the dashboard dust free by keeping a dust cloth in your glove box. A quick wipe-down with a cloth or a disposable dusting wipe can make a world of difference.
- Clean the windows and mirrors – Make sure your windows and mirrors are free of fingerprints and marks.
- Remove stains – If a passenger stains your seat or carpeting, use car upholstery or carpet cleaner to remove it immediately.
Keep in mind when using anything scented in your car that some passengers might be sensitive. Try not to use anything too strong; instead, stick with fragrance-free products to keep your car clean.
2. Be Safety-Minded
Make your passengers feel as safe as possible. When they enter your car, greet them and then tell them the route the Uber app tells you to take. This way, they know where you’re going should the route differ from the one they had in mind.
Also, mind your driving. Don’t exceed the speed limit, brake hard, or take sharp turns. Drive as if you had your grandma or a baby in the car and wanted to be as careful as possible.
Also, mind your temper while driving passengers, no matter how crazy other drivers may make you. Keep comments to yourself, and always ask your passengers if they’d prefer if you wore a mask, as some people are still high-risk and feel more comfortable with mask-wearing.
3. Be on Time
Uber riders expect timeliness. The app tells them how long they can expect before you arrive. Of course, you don’t have to match the arrival time to the second, as many factors can play a role, such as traffic, a stalled car, or delays from your current riders.
Despite all the obstacles, most Uber riders rate timeliness as their most important factor. If you’ll be late, message (not while driving) the rider through the app to inform them of the delay. Just showing up late with no explanation could lead to a bad review.
4. Be Respectful
Each Uber rider has different likes/dislikes and needs. When they enter your vehicle, be courteous. Say ‘Hello, how are you,’ and then let them lead the conversation.
Some riders want to talk, and others prefer a quiet ride. You can ask gently or read their body language to decide how to proceed.
Also, if you’re experiencing traffic delays or other issues, be upfront with the rider and let them weigh in on the decision regarding how to proceed.
5. Provide Protection from the Rain
No one likes getting soaked going from their destination to the car. Keep a couple of small umbrellas in your car and when you arrive at your rider’s pick-up location, get out and give them the umbrella.
6. Provide Luxuries
Go the extra mile and provide your riders with as many luxuries as possible. Don’t worry; they don’t have to be high-cost.
Simple things like a mini-bottle of water, an available phone charger (Android and Apple), tissues, and hand sanitizer go a long way. You never know the type of day your rider has had or the mood they are in, and these little luxuries can put a smile on their face and motivate them to give you a better review.
7. Provide Choices
When your riders first enter the car, be prepared to ask them questions about their preferences after you greet them.
Consider asking if they want the radio on or off, and if they want it on, what type of music they’d prefer. You can also determine if they want to make small talk and whether you should wear a mask or no mask.
It’s in all how you ask them about their preferences. Give them options, and follow their lead. You can almost tell when a person gets in the car what type of day they are having and what they might prefer.
8. Help With Luggage
If your rider has luggage, consider getting out of your car and helping them put it in the trunk. This simple gesture can go a long way when trying to get good reviews.
How to Dispute Driver Ratings
Typically, you’re not supposed to dispute driver ratings. Uber makes the rating system anonymous so everyone, including drivers, can feel comfortable leaving an honest review.
However, if you feel you were rated unfairly due to circumstances outside your control, you can contact Uber support through your app. Tell them the circumstances of the ride, including the date, time, and conditions, to prove that the issue was outside your control.
Overall, Uber is good about eliminating ratings due to factors outside of your control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Average Uber Driver Rating?
Regional averages vary, but Uber expects your ratings to be within the 4.7 to 4.8-star range. Most drivers don’t have a perfect rating because no one can please everyone! But if you have at least a 4.7, you should be in good standing and have access to many rides.
What Time Period Does Your Driver Rating Represent?
Your Uber rating is from the last 500 ratings received or up to 500 if you have fewer drives.
Can You See Individual Ratings and Who They’re From?
Uber keeps all reviews anonymous. They feel this allows drivers and riders to be honest about their experience and for Uber to provide the best possible service.
Do Canceled Rides Affect a Driver’s Rating?
No, riders that cancel their trip cannot rate you, so they don’t affect your overall star rating.
