Ride-hailing apps asked to stop asking for tips before ride

Ride-hailing apps may soon have to stop prompting passengers to add tips while booking a ride, with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways directing aggregators not to display tipping prompts before or during a journey.

In a communication to motor vehicle aggregators, the Ministry emphasised that tipping is voluntary. It discouraged prompts that could be construed as advance tips, incentives for quicker ride confirmation or add-ons before a journey begins.

Referring to Clause 14.15 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, the Ministry said passengers may tip drivers only after completing their journey. The guidelines also require aggregators to credit the entire tip amount to the driver without making any deductions.

The Ministry said it had taken note of prompts displayed by certain aggregators suggesting that adding a tip could improve the chances of quicker ride confirmation or make a driver more likely to accept a trip. It said, in line with Clause 14.15, that no feature, prompt or user interface element should be displayed before completion of a ride if it directly or indirectly creates the impression that paying extra could improve ride confirmation, waiting time or service quality.

The Ministry has advised all motor vehicle aggregators to immediately review their mobile apps and digital platforms and ensure compliance.

Reacting to the development, drivers’ union said tips could not replace fair wages for gig and platform workers. They demanded that the Telangana government notify minimum fares which, they stated, should be arrived at in a transparent manner.