The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has barred ride-hailing platforms from showing tipping prompts before or during a ride, allowing tips only after the journey is completed
Aggregators like Uber, Rapido will need to change their app interfaces and cannot suggest that tipping could improve driver acceptance, ride confirmation or waiting time
MoRTH also said 100% of the tip must go to the driver, with aggregators not allowed to deduct any amount
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has directed ride-hailing aggregators such as Uber, Rapido, Ola, among others, to remove tipping prompts shown before or during a ride. The ministry cited the fact that prompting these sort of additional charges violates the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.
In a directive dated August 11, the ministry flagged prompts such as “Advance Tip”, “Choose an Add-on” and “Improve your chances of quicker ride confirmation”. It also objected to messages suggesting that tipping could increase the chances of a driver accepting a ride.
Under Clause 14.15 of the guidelines, passengers can tip drivers only after completing a ride. Aggregators cannot offer a tipping option during booking, before the ride starts or while the ride is in progress.
If the passenger opts to tip the driver, the complete beneficiary of it should be the driver and aggregators shouldn’t be allowed to charge any commissions from the amount. Besides, tipping options must not be misleading or manipulative and must comply with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
“All Motor Vehicle Aggregators are advised to immediately review their mobile applications and digital platforms and ensure strict compliance with Clause 14.15 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. Any interface or functionality inconsistent with the above provisions should be suitably modified without delay,” the MoRTH said.
Aggregators have also been told not to use any prompt or payment option before the end of a ride that suggests tipping could improve ride confirmation, driver acceptance, allocation, waiting time or service quality.
The development comes shortly after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) sought a report from the Delhi government over allegations that app-based cab and auto aggregators are charging fares higher than those prescribed by the city’s transport department.
The NHRC took up the matter following a complaint alleging that app-based cab and auto services were charging commuters more than the fares notified by the authorities.
For many of the ride-hailing platforms, advanced tipping
What Do The Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025 Say?
The Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, issued on July 1, 2025, set rules for ride-hailing platforms covering licensing, drivers, vehicles, safety, fares, EVs and penalties. Here are some of the more salient features:
Source: Inc42 - Startups
