Centre Directs Ride-Hailing Apps to Stop Pre-Ride Tipping Prompts

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has directed motor vehicle aggregators to stop displaying tipping prompts to passengers before or during a journey. In a communication addressed to ride-hailing platforms, the Ministry emphasised that tipping is strictly voluntary and should not be solicited in advance.

The directive targets practices where apps display prompts that could be construed as advance tips, incentives for quicker ride confirmation, or paid add-ons prior to the start of a trip. The Ministry stated that it had taken note of user interface elements on certain aggregator platforms suggesting that adding an upfront tip could increase the likelihood of a driver accepting a booking or reduce waiting times.

Citing Clause 14.15 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, the Ministry instructed platforms that passengers must only be given the option to tip drivers after a journey has concluded. Under the same clause, aggregators are prohibited from displaying any feature, prompt, or digital interface element before the completion of a ride that directly or indirectly suggests paying extra could enhance service quality, improve confirmation rates, or lower wait times.

The guidelines also mandate that when a passenger does choose to tip after the ride is completed, the aggregator must credit the full tip amount to the driver without making any deductions.

All motor vehicle aggregators have been advised by the Ministry to immediately review their mobile applications and digital platforms to ensure complete compliance with the rules.

Following the development, drivers' unions stated that tips cannot serve as a substitute for fair wages for gig and platform workers. The unions urged the Telangana government to notify minimum fares for the sector and demanded that these fare structures be established in a transparent manner.