Industry Odisha Bureau, Aug 13: Passengers using cab-booking apps such as Uber and Ola for rides will no longer be prompted to pay a tip before their ride is accepted or completed. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has directed motor vehicle aggregators to remove such tipping prompts from their apps with immediate effect.
The directive follows reports of the ride-heiling platforms displaying messages such as “Advance Tip” and “Choose an Add-on.” This suggests that paying extra could improve the chances of getting a ride or having it confirmed faster.
What has the Centre told cab apps?
The Ministry has asked aggregators to review their apps and remove any feature that suggests an additional payment could influence whether a driver accepts a ride, how quickly it is confirmed, driver allocation, waiting time or service quality.
In simple terms, passengers cannot be encouraged to pay extra to get a cab faster.
Can passengers still tip drivers?
Yes. The government has not banned tipping.
Notably, under clause 14.15 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, passengers can voluntarily tip drivers. However, the option for the same can only appear after the ride is completed. The entire tip must also go to the driver, with aggregators prohibited from deducting any amount.
The ministry has also said that tipping must remain completely voluntary and apps cannot use misleading or manipulative mechanisms to encourage it.
Why has the Centre acted?
The directive follows complaints and reports about pre-ride tipping prompts on cab booking platforms. It also reinforces an earlier direction from the Central Consumer Protection Authority asking ride-hailing companies to stop the practice.
