No sex please, we're Uber: Five things that will get you banned from taxi service

For many, Uber is a knight in shining black bodywork when stuck in a spot of transportation bother, which is why being banned from the taxi-hailing service could be a disaster. Luckily, Uber has given users a brand new set of guidelines that outline what you shouldn't get up to inside its taxis.

Uber's updated set of rules is a collection of common sense dos and don'ts such as not making a mess in the cars or assaulting the drivers. However, there are a few oddities in there including asking users to not slam car doors, but one thing Uber is keen to stress is that it has a strict 'no sex rule'.

Sure to raise a few eyebrows, Uber recommends that users "don't comment on someone's appearance or ask whether they are single" they should also not "touch or flirt with other people in the car".

The nixing on flirting may sound a tad severe but it's not talking about passengers and their other halves as such (although any naughty business is considered ban-worthy). With the taxi company introducing its ride-sharing carpool service where strangers can split cab rides its aim is to stamp out any uncomfortable journeys where fellow passengers get a bit over-friendly.

It also is a strong line on the problems of reported sexual assault claims that have plagued the service. Uber drivers have reportedly been named in 32 cases of sexual abuse or rape of female passengers in the past 12 months in London, police records have shown.

This rule also applies when the trip is over as it states users should not have any "unwanted contact with the driver or fellow passenger after the trip is over" as in most countries users can call and text drivers directly from the app.

Uber also frowns upon more serious offences such as abusive language, bringing drugs in the cars, or "using Uber to commit a crime, including drug and human trafficking or the sexual exploitation of children."

Users in breach of its rules will have their accounts temporarily suspended and reviewed and if deemed serious or repeatedly offend they will have access to the app terminated. Any "behaviour involving violence, sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination, or illegal activity while using Uber can result in the immediate loss of your account," it says.

Here is the full five ways your Uber account could be cancelled:

And, finally, in case you were thinking about taking your gun with you on a trip, Uber doesn't like that either. It operates a firearms ban that prohibits riders and drivers from carrying them while using the service. Violation of this is an instant ban.