Uber driver outlines three passenger habits that earn a one-star rating

Levi Spires, an Uber driver based in Syracuse, New York, has driven over 16,000 trips and now shares the three behaviors that guarantee him a one-star rating. First, he penalizes riders who make him wait without explanation, noting that Uber only pays for the first two minutes of idle time and then a modest per-minute rate, which cuts into his earnings. Second, he assigns low scores to passengers whose strong odors—particularly from marijuana or pets—remain in his Tesla, even though Uber’s policy does not allow cleaning fees for smells alone.

Third, he expects a simple hello; those who board while on calls and act as if he were a robot also receive the lowest rating. Spires filters out passengers with ratings below 4.9, and studies from the Netherlands and Cornell University show that driver acceptance can be influenced by rider ratings and waiting periods. He adds that courteous interactions, even brief ones, improve tips and his overall enjoyment of the job.