No tip before trip: Centre bars pre-ride tipping, allows gender-based driver choice on cab apps
New Delhi:
Passengers using app-based taxi services will no longer be prompted to tip drivers before or during a ride, with the Union government amending the Motor Vehicles Aggregators Guidelines, 2025 to ensure that tipping remains strictly voluntary and visible only after a journey is completed.
In a communication issued on December 15, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways informed states and Union Territories that it has amended Clauses 14 and 15 of the guidelines following concerns raised by the Central Consumer Protection Authority and the Ministry of Women and Child Development regarding fare transparency and passenger safety, particularly for women.
Under the newly inserted Clause 14.15, cab aggregators may offer a tipping option to passengers, but the feature must appear only after the trip has ended. Tipping cannot be shown at the time of booking, before the journey begins, or during the ride. The amendment also mandates that the full tip amount be credited to the driver, with no deductions by the platform.
The guidelines further bar aggregators from using any tipping mechanism that is misleading, manipulative or in violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, effectively curbing practices that nudge or pressure users into paying tips.
In another significant change aimed at improving passenger safety, especially for women, the government has introduced Clause 14.16 and Clause 15.6, requiring cab apps to enable a gender-based driver selection feature where feasible. This allows passengers to choose a driver of the same gender, including an option for female passengers to opt for women drivers.
The ministry has asked all states and Union Territories to ensure effective implementation of these amendments by licensed and operating aggregators under their jurisdiction. The order has been issued with the approval of the competent authority and will be uploaded on the ministry’s website along with the existing guidelines.
The amendments are expected to bring greater clarity to fare practices while strengthening safety and choice for passengers using ride-hailing platforms across the country.