In a recent move, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has instructed ride-hailing services to remove any prompts or options related to tipping that may appear before a ride is completed. The ministry believes that such features could improperly sway passengers, leading them to think that offering extra money might enhance their service.
The ministry emphasized that tipping should be completely voluntary, coming only after the journey has ended. They referenced specific guidelines from the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2025, clarifying that tipping options should not be accessible during the booking process or while a ride is in progress.
This directive follows concerns raised about certain prompts from ride-hailing companies, such as “Advance Tip” or suggestions that tipping could speed up ride confirmations or driver acceptance.
Moreover, the ministry stated that no user interface—be it prompts, messages, or options—should encourage riders to pay extra amounts that could affect their ride’s confirmation, waiting time, or overall quality of service.
Importantly, all tips provided must go entirely to the driver without any deductions. The ministry also banned any tipping methods that might be seen as misleading or violating consumer protection laws.
Finally, the ministry urged all ride-hailing platforms to review their apps and digital services promptly, ensuring they align with these new guidelines.
