Secrets rideshare drivers want you to know -

Ridesharing has revolutionized commutes, and it’s likely that you and most people you know have been a passenger in these modern taxis. Whether it’s Uber, Lyft, Bolt, or any other service that brings a car to wherever you are, this new culture has given rise to a new etiquette, of which not many passengers are well-informed.

Click through to learn, based on information gathered by Scribol, some of the most surprising pet peeves, tips, and secrets from rideshare drivers themselves.

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Drivers crave better small talk -

If you’ve asked your driver how long they’ve been doing this job, if they like it, if they work another job, or something similar, you’re usually not the first person to ask them that day. Imagine if you had to engage in small talk your entire work day!

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They never purposely guide you into traffic -

Unlike traditional taxis, whose meter ticks upward while you wait in traffic, rideshares usually make less than US$0.10 per minute in congestion, so they would never purposely guide you into traffic.

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Stop sharing spoilers -

Perhaps you're getting a ride back from the cinema and you and your friend want to talk about the twist ending. Wait until you're out of the car! Drivers are humans who want to enjoy their movies and TV shows, too.

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Your post-ride rating matters more than you think -

After you’ve completed a ride, you can rate your driver. Of course you should indicate when a ride was bad, but one driver revealed that ratings less than five stars are taken very seriously, and drivers can be deactivated if they fall below 4.5.

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It's not actually courteous to sit in the front seat -

This varies with drivers and countries, but most drivers prefer that if you're riding alone, you sit in the back, or at least ask first.

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Sometimes a driver's playlist is catered for you -

One driver admitted that they created several playlists according to different age ranges and genres, and would switch between them depending on the passenger. They're customizing your experience—all for the five stars!

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You can't just exit the vehicle when you like -

Many drivers' pet peeve is when people get out of the car if they're stuck in traffic or close enough to walk, especially when there are other cars around. Let them pull over into the safest and nearest place.

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Drivers usually don't want to make extra stops -

While some have admitted to accepting tips for stopping at an ATM or for going to a drive-through for some food, most drivers don't like to make multiple stops.

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Tipping in cash goes a long way -

It's not company policy, but some drivers admitted that getting a cash tip will grant the passenger a perfect rating every time.

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Tip if you're carpooling -

Drivers typically get paid for the distance they travel and not for additional passengers they pick up, so a tip goes a long way after you take the cheaper option of carpooling.

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Try not to order a ride for someone else -

If the ride is ordered by a woman and a man is flagging down the car, for example, it can be confusing for the driver, and they also have no passenger data on this person, so they tend not to like it.

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Rideshares are not ambulances -

In some countries, calling an ambulance can be quite expensive, so some people call a rideshare instead. Drivers hate this, and they won't let in anyone who is passed out or bleeding anyway.

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You can't bring a young child without a car seat -

One driver said of his experience rejecting a passenger who had a small child with them: "I'm not going to jail, nor am I going to be in one of those statistics, all for five bucks."

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Some drivers secretly like when you cancel -

Canceling a ride often incurs a fee, but while you might worry that you're annoying a driver en route to you, they still get a large percentage of that fee, all without having to actually drive you.

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Follow the pickup rules at airports -

Many airports now have a designated area for rideshare services, which are usually a bit further from the regular terminal pickup. Don't try to get curbside service! Your driver doesn't like waiting for you to figure out where you need to be.

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They want to be memorable -

Getting a ride in a car with a disco ball and party lights is all for that five-star rating. Many ride ratings are forgotten on party nights, so drivers make their cars more memorable with decorations.

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No lidless cups for the sake of your driver's sanity -

Most drivers don't mind if you bring a drink in the car, and many have complimentary water bottles, but you should certainly not bring open containers.

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There are gossip boards about passengers -

Picking up strangers is bound to be eventful, so some rideshare drivers have online groups where they vent about riders and experiences, sharing advice and dishing gossip.

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You don't need to give them directions -

Ridesharing apps offer a GPS route, and oftentimes drivers will also use an app for detecting the route with the least traffic. Some drivers have confessed that they hate being directed by customers.

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Don't leave anything behind—or expect to get it back -

Always check the seat as you leave the car, since drivers tend not to return forgotten items. It's not that they're thieves, but rather that they're working, and in the past they've likely not received a tip for the extra work and lost time.

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Drivers don't want to hear your conversations or videos -

Proper phone etiquette rules apply as if you were on public transit: keep a moderate volume on the phone, and use a headset when watching videos.

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Try not to slam the door -

Whether your driver warns you or not, you should be gentle when closing the car door. It's a common pet peeve for many drivers.

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Drivers don't want to give you the aux cord -

Some drivers will offer you a cord to play your music in the car, but if they don't, you probably shouldn't ask.

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Drivers get a small fraction of the ride's price -

Many people don't tip because they think the cost of the journey goes into the driver's pocket, but that's far from the truth. The price quote you receive before you book your ride is reportedly around 60% more than what drivers are typically paid.

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Your driver is likely new -

Uber and Lyft have a high turnover rate, as employees tend to quit after a half-year or less. As the popularity of these apps increases, it means there are always a lot of new drivers on the road.

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Order another car if there are more people than seat belts -

Your driver has to follow the rules of the road, and they hate when you insist you can all fit.

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Double-check your address -

Rideshare drivers hate when they take you to the place you ordered, but it wasn't the place you wanted. Skip the misdirected anger, and double-check to make sure the address you put in is correct the first time.

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Vomit means profit for drivers -

Of course, the experience of someone throwing up in your backseat is horrendous, but rideshare apps charge a pretty penny for vomiting in the car.

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With the right strategy, drivers can make a lot -

One driver explained on his website, The Rideshare Guy, that he had worked for Uber and Lyft and raked in US$100,000 per year for his first three behind the wheel, working 50 hours a week and taking six weeks of vacation a year.

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Rideshares are not school buses -

Rideshare policies typically require that riders are at least 18, or otherwise accompanied by an adult. Still, people continue to request cars for their kids, trying to place them in the car without accompaniment.

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Try not to make your driver wait -

Order the car when you're ready, because you don't know how soon it will arrive, and drivers make next to nothing for waiting.

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Drivers don't like being your grocery store shuttle -

If you're making your driver wait as you load the bags, replace the cart, unload the bags, etc., it's a lot of time for which they're being paid a paltry amount. If you must, try and tip your driver for their patience.

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Pay attention to the companies -

Beyond checking which company offers cheaper rides, consider their ethics. For example, some donate free rides for cancer patients, and others match passenger tips with donations to charities. You can do more with your money by choosing rideshare companies with the same values as you.

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The surges you hate are the best times for drivers -

For some apps, when cars are in demand, the regular cost of a journey rises by a percentage. This is great news for drivers, as they make more money in less time. Consequently, some rideshare staff only drive during surges.

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Download multiple rideshare apps -

Oftentimes if there's a surge on one app, there's a cheaper ride on another. Many drivers also work for various rideshare companies so that they have more customers.

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Google Maps can reveal the best deal -

Google Maps takes various forms of transportation into consideration, including rideshare apps. Put your destination into the app, then compare prices to get you to point B for less.

See also: Are electric scooters a menace or marvel?

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