Govt revises cab aggregator rules: In a major step to improve passenger safety, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has directed cab aggregators
to let passengers choose a driver of the same gender. This includes an option for female passengers to select a female driver when booking their ride. "The app shall include a feature to enable Clause 15.6, wherein a passenger may choose, where available, a driver of the same gender, including an option for female passengers to select a female driver for undertaking a journey," it said in the fresh amendments to the Motor Vehicles Aggregators Guidelines, 2025, issued on Thursday, December 25. Soon, you will have the option to choose a same-gender driver when booking a cab ride ride-hailing app such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido. These rules are aimed at improving passenger safety. Female passengers, in particular, will be able to choose a female driver. The government has amended the Motor Vehicle Aggregators Guidelines, 2025, and states have been asked to implement them. A ride-hailing industry executive noted that women currently account for less than 5% of drivers on aggregator platforms, calling the mandate that lets passengers choose a driver of the same gender “impractical,” says a report by Economic Times. The Motor Vehicle Aggregator Directions, 2025, include amendments to Sections 14 and 15, specifically adding Subsections 14.15 and 14.16 under Section 14, which deal with compliance related to websites, apps, and technology.
Voluntary tip for driver
Subsection 14.15 - Voluntary tip for driver says that the app may allow passengers to give a voluntary tip to the driver; however, this will be made available only after the completion of the trip, and not at the time of booking or before the trip starts.
The entire tip amount will be deposited into the driver by the aggregator without any deduction.
The app must not provide any tipping facility or mechanism that is misleading, manipulative, or otherwise violates the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, or the rules and regulations made under it.
Feature for same-gender driver selection
Under this section, the app shall include a feature to implement Section 15.6, allowing any passenger to select a driver of their own gender, where available. This includes an option for female passengers to choose female drivers.
Inclusion of Subsection 15.6 under Section 15 (Compliance to ensure passenger safety)
Passenger Choice of Same-Gender Driver
Passengers may select a driver of their own gender, where available. This includes the option for female passengers to choose female drivers through the feature specified under Section 14.16 above.
