Your Uber rating is a number between 1.0 and 5.0 that reflects how drivers and passengers rate each other after trips
Uber calculates your rating as an average of all the ratings you've received. If you've taken 100 trips and received ratings totaling 485 points, your rating is 4.85. The system shows you a number rounded to two decimal places, though Uber's internal calculations may be more precise. Your rating is visible to drivers before they accept your request, and drivers can see it every time you book.
The rating matters because drivers can refuse rides from passengers with low ratings. If your rating drops below a certain threshold — typically around 4.6, though this varies by city — some drivers will decline your requests. In extreme cases, Uber may deactivate your account if your rating falls too low, usually below 4.2.
Key Takeaways
- Your Uber rating is an average of all ratings you've received from drivers, displayed as a number between 1.0 and 5.0.
- Drivers see your rating before accepting your request and can refuse rides from passengers with low ratings.
- A rating below 4.6 may result in longer wait times or more declined requests, depending on driver availability in your area.
- Ratings below 4.2 can lead to account deactivation, though Uber typically sends warnings before taking this step.
- You can improve a low rating by being respectful, following driver instructions, and maintaining the vehicle in the condition you found it.
What ratings drivers give and why
Drivers rate passengers on a five-star scale after each trip. A five-star rating means the driver had no issues. A four-star rating usually indicates minor problems — the passenger was slightly late to the pickup, or the destination was unclear. Three stars or lower suggests real problems: the passenger was rude, damaged the car, ate food without permission, or made the driver feel unsafe.
Drivers also have the option to report specific issues through Uber's app, such as "passenger was not ready," "passenger was rude," or "passenger damaged vehicle." These reports don't automatically lower your rating, but they create a record. If you accumulate multiple reports for the same behavior, Uber may investigate or deactivate your account even if your numerical rating is still acceptable.
How a low rating affects your experience
Once your rating drops below 4.6, you'll notice changes. Drivers in your area will see your rating and may skip your requests in favor of passengers with higher ratings. This means longer wait times, especially during slow periods when drivers have choices. In busy times, you may still get rides because drivers need the volume, but you won't get priority.
Below 4.2, the problem becomes severe. Uber may send you a message saying your rating is too low and warning that your account could be deactivated. You typically have a window to improve — usually a few weeks — before Uber makes a final decision. The exact threshold varies by city and can change based on local driver supply.
Reasons your rating might be low
The most common reasons for low ratings are being late to pickup, being rude or argumentative with the driver, eating or drinking in the car without permission, slamming doors, or leaving trash behind. Drivers also rate down for safety concerns — if you seem intoxicated, aggressive, or if you ask the driver to break traffic laws.
Sometimes your rating drops because of circumstances beyond your control. If you request a ride and then cancel after the driver has already started driving toward you, the driver may rate you down even though you didn't do anything wrong during the trip itself. If a driver has a bad day, they might rate passengers lower than they otherwise would. One or two low ratings won't tank your overall score if you have many trips, but a pattern of low ratings will.
How to improve a low rating
Be ready when the driver arrives. Stand outside or near the pickup location so the driver doesn't have to search for you or wait. Confirm the destination is correct before getting in. Be polite and respectful — greet the driver, don't make demands, and follow their instructions about where to sit or how to handle luggage.
Keep the car clean. Don't eat, drink, or smoke unless the driver says it's okay. Don't slam doors or throw things around. If you have luggage, pack it carefully so nothing spills or damages the interior. If something goes wrong during the trip — you need to change the destination, you're running late, the route is wrong — communicate calmly and clearly.
After the trip, rate the driver honestly. Drivers are more likely to rate passengers five stars if they received five stars themselves. This isn't may provide, but it helps. If you had a genuinely good experience, a five-star rating from you may encourage the driver to give you five stars in return.
What happens if your account gets deactivated
If Uber deactivates your account due to a low rating, you lose access to the platform. You can request to reactivate your account by contacting Uber support through the app or website. Uber will review your request and may ask you to explain what happened or what you've done to improve. Reactivation is not may provide, especially if you have multiple reports of serious behavior like violence, theft, or sexual harassment.
In some cases, Uber may offer a path to reactivation — for example, completing a safety course or waiting a certain period before reapplying. The exact process depends on why your account was deactivated and your history with the platform.
The difference between your rating and driver reports
Your numerical rating and driver reports are separate systems. Your rating is purely numerical — an average of star ratings. Driver reports are specific complaints about behavior. You could have a 4.8 rating but still get deactivated if you have multiple reports of serious misconduct, because Uber weighs safety concerns more heavily than the raw number.
Conversely, you could have a 4.5 rating from many trips with minor issues and still keep your account active, because the rating alone doesn't trigger deactivation — it just makes it harder to get rides. The combination of a low rating and serious reports is what typically leads to account removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see which drivers rated me low?
No. Uber doesn't tell you which specific drivers gave you low ratings or what they said. You only see your overall rating number. If you want to know what went wrong, you can contact Uber support and ask if there are patterns in the feedback, but they won't identify individual drivers.
Does one bad rating ruin my overall score?
One bad rating has a small effect if you have many trips. If you've taken 200 trips and get one one-star rating, your overall rating drops by less than 0.01 points. But if you've only taken 10 trips, one one-star rating drops your average significantly. New passengers are more vulnerable to rating damage because the average is calculated from fewer data points.
What's considered a "good" Uber rating?
4.8 and above is excellent. 4.6 to 4.79 is good but may start affecting driver acceptance in slower markets. Below 4.6, you'll notice longer waits and more declined requests. Below 4.2 puts you at risk of deactivation.
Can I dispute a rating I think was unfair?
Uber doesn't remove individual ratings, but you can contact support to report a driver if you believe the rating was given in bad faith or if something went wrong during the trip. Uber reviews these reports, but they rarely overturn ratings. Your best option is to focus on improving your future ratings through better behavior.
Does my rating reset if I don't use Uber for a while?
No. Your rating stays with your account indefinitely. If you take a break from Uber and come back months later, your old rating is still there. However, new ratings will gradually shift your average if you take more trips. If you had a 4.5 rating and take 50 new trips with five-star ratings, your overall rating will improve.