Cab passengers will no longer be encouraged to pay extra money to improve their chances of getting a ride. The Centre has directed ride-hailing companies to remove pre-ride tipping options and similar
prompts from their apps with immediate effect.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has taken the step after instances emerged of platforms displaying options such as ‘Advance Tip’ and other add-ons during the booking process. In some cases, passengers were given the impression that paying more could help them get a cab confirmed sooner.
The government has now made it clear that such practices are not permitted under the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.
No More Tips Before Your Cab Is Confirmed
The key change is that a passenger should not have to consider a tip while booking a cab. Ride-hailing apps cannot present an additional payment as something that could improve the possibility of a driver accepting the booking or make the ride confirmation faster. Similar prompts cannot be used to suggest that passengers may receive a better service, shorter waiting time or preferential driver allocation by paying extra.
This effectively separates the cab fare from any voluntary reward a passenger may want to give the driver.
Tipping Drivers Is Still Allowed
The Centre has not stopped passengers from tipping cab drivers. Under Clause 14.15 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, passengers can choose to tip a driver after the trip. The important condition is that the option must be made available only once the journey has been completed.
The tip also has to reach the driver in full. The aggregator is not allowed to retain or deduct a portion of the amount. For passengers, the distinction is straightforward: a tip can be a reward for a completed ride, but it cannot become a tool for securing a ride.
What Kind of Prompts Are Being Removed?
The ministry’s directive covers more than simply removing a button labelled ‘Tip’. Any message, add-on or payment feature that gives passengers the impression that an extra payment could influence the booking can fall foul of the guidelines.
This includes suggestions that a payment could improve the likelihood of driver acceptance, speed up confirmation, reduce waiting, influence which driver is assigned or result in better service.
The concern is therefore not the existence of tipping itself, but the way it is presented to passengers before a ride takes place.
Why Did Govt Step In?
The action follows complaints and reports about pre-ride tipping practices on ride-hailing platforms. The Central Consumer Protection Authority had also earlier directed cab aggregators to stop such practices.
The latest communication from the road transport ministry reinforces the government’s position that consumers should not be nudged into making an additional payment in order to access a basic service.
The ministry has asked aggregators to review their apps and digital platforms and make immediate changes wherever they are not aligned with the 2025 guidelines.
What Cab Users Should Know
Passengers can continue to tip drivers if they are satisfied with the service. However, they should not be expected or encouraged to pay a tip before the ride has been completed.
In effect, the government wants tipping to remain a voluntary post-ride payment, rather than an additional amount that passengers feel they need to pay to improve their chances of getting a cab.
