[imagesource: Future via Getty Images]

Uber drivers live in fear of the dreaded one-star rating.

Passengers, on the other hand, or riders as Uber likes to call them, can be booted from using the service if they develop a “significantly below average rating”.

The company hasn’t laid out what exactly constitutes a rating “significantly below average” but my guess is there’s a great deal more leeway than there is for drivers.

Yesterday, Uber pulled back the curtain on passenger ratings for the first time:

Have you ever wondered how you got your Uber rating? How many of your drivers gave you five stars or even one star? Now, we’re making it easier than ever to see exactly how your rating is calculated, and for the first time, we’re showing you the good (and the bad) ratings you received.

Starting today, all Uber users can access a breakdown of their average rating in the Uber app’s new Privacy Center. You’ll see how many drivers gave you a stellar 5-star rating, how many handed out the dreaded single star, and everything in between.

Here’s how you find the info:

• Open Uber and tap your profile image in the top right corner and select Settings.
• In the Settings menu, tap Privacy and then Privacy Centre
• In the Privacy Centre, swipe to the right and click on the “would you like to see a summary of how you use Uber” tile
• Scroll down to the “browse your data” section and tap on “View my ratings” to see the breakdown

I have just done so and am somewhat proud to report that my five-star ratings far outrank my one-star ratings.

Apologies to those poor drivers who saw me at my worst.

You should have reached this screen:

Image: Uber

That’s not my ratings breakdown, by the way.

If you find yourself scoring rather poorly on average (you can see your average rating by clicking on your profile image in the top right of the app and then looking under your name in the top left), Uber has some tips for you:

1. Pack it in, pack it out: Drivers shouldn’t have to clean up after you. Always make sure to take your trash and any other belongings with you. Don’t leave a mess behind.
2. Buckle Up: Studies show that unbuckled passengers in the back seat can put the driver at greater risk of injury in a crash. So always remember to buckle up for your and the driver’s safety.
3. Be ready: Remember that drivers’ time is valuable and they shouldn’t have to wait for you. A smooth pickup is better for everyone so be ready to go when the driver arrives.
4. Treat everyone and everything with respect: As outlined in our Community Guidelines, we want riders and drivers to feel safe, respectful, and positive. Always treat your driver and their vehicle as you would want to be treated.
5. Don’t slam the door! It is easy to accidentally slam a door if you aren’t thinking about it, and drivers have consistently cited door slams as a reason why they deduct stars.

Door slamming is a big no-no.

It’s tough to get it right sometimes, especially when the wind is howling in Cape Town, but such is life.

Just in case you’re stumped for ideas as to who should get the next round of shots, lowest passenger rating buys.

Karma.

[source:uber]