Govt directs Uber, Ola and other cab aggregators to stop asking for pre-ride tips

Passengers can still tip drivers after rides, but apps cannot suggest paying extra could improve ride acceptance, confirmation speed or service quality before the ride is accepted by a driver.Centre bans pre-ride tip prompts on cab booking apps. Passengers booking cabs through Uber, Ola and other ride-hailing apps will no longer be asked to pay a tip before their journey begins.The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has directed motor vehicle aggregators to remove pre-ride tipping prompts from their apps with immediate effect, saying passengers cannot be encouraged to make an additional payment in the hope of getting a cab faster or improving their chances of getting a ride.The government action follows reports of ride-hailing platforms displaying messages such as “Advance Tip”, “Choose an Add-on” and “Improve your chances of quicker ride confirmation” during the booking process.The prompts had raised concerns because they could give passengers the impression that paying a tip might influence whether a driver accepts their booking or how quickly a ride is confirmed. NO ‘TIP TO GET YOUR CAB FASTER’The government has asked all motor vehicle aggregators to immediately review their mobile applications and digital platforms and remove features that do not comply with the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.Under the direction, an app cannot display a tip prompt, message, add-on or payment option before the completion of a ride if it suggests that paying extra could influence the availability or quality of the service. This includes whether a driver accepts the ride, how quickly the booking is confirmed, which driver is allocated or how long a passenger has to wait.In simple terms, passengers booking a cab should not be made to feel that paying an additional amount could improve their chances of getting a ride.The government has directed aggregators to make the necessary changes without delay and ensure their apps comply with the 2025 guidelines.CAN YOU STILL TIP YOUR DRIVER?Yes. The government has not banned tipping.Under Clause 14.15 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, passengers can voluntarily tip drivers, but the option can be offered only after the journey has been completed.The entire tip must also go to the driver. The aggregator cannot deduct any amount from it.The distinction is therefore straightforward: passengers can choose to reward a driver after a ride, but a tip cannot be presented before the ride as a way to improve the chances of getting a cab.WHY HAS THE GOVERNMENT ACTED NOW?The directive follows reports of ride-hailing platforms using pre-ride messages and tipping options during the booking process.The Central Consumer Protection Authority had earlier also directed ride-hailing platforms to stop the practice.The latest government direction reinforces the position that tipping must remain voluntary and cannot be linked, directly or indirectly, to the availability, acceptance or quality of a cab service.The government has also asked aggregators to ensure that their digital platforms comply with the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.For passengers, the change means one less decision to make while booking a cab: they can choose whether to tip a driver after the journey, but they should not be asked to pay extra upfront simply to improve their chances of getting a ride.- EndsPublished On: Aug 13, 2026 10:47 IST