Govt bars pre-booking tips on cab apps, allows women to choose female drivers

The Central government has amended the Motor Vehicles Aggregators Guidelines, 2025, introducing new rules that restrict tipping practices on ride-hailing platforms and enable passengers to choose drivers of the same gender, including an option for women passengers to select female drivers.

In a notification dated December 15, 2025, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways informed all State governments and Union Territories that new sub-clauses have been added to Clauses 14 and 15 of the guidelines to strengthen consumer protection and passenger safety.

Under the newly inserted Clause 14.15, aggregators such as cab and ride-hailing apps may offer a voluntary tipping feature, but only after the journey is completed. The guidelines clearly prohibit tipping options from being shown at the time of booking, before the trip begins, or during the ride.

The notification further states that the entire tip amount must be credited to the driver without any deduction by the platform. It also bars any tipping feature that is misleading, manipulative, or in violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and related rules.

"This is aimed at preventing psychological pressure on passengers and ensuring tipping remains genuinely voluntary," the ministry said, referring to concerns raised by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).

A second major change is the addition of Clause 14.16 and Clause 15.6, which mandate that aggregator apps must provide a feature allowing passengers, where available, to choose a driver of the same gender. This includes a specific option for female passengers to select female drivers for their journeys.

The move follows representations from the Ministry of Women and Child Development and consumer protection authorities, who flagged the need to improve safety mechanisms for women using ride-hailing services.

The ministry has asked States and Union Territories to take necessary steps to ensure that all licensed aggregators implement the amended provisions. The notification has been issued with the approval of the competent authority and is applicable nationwide.

The updated rules are expected to impact major ride-hailing platforms such as Ola, Uber and other aggregators operating across India, requiring them to modify their app interfaces and backend systems to comply with the new norms. 

(With inputs from IANS)