Mumbai: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has directed all app-based ride aggregators to remove tipping prompts before or during rides, saying such prompts could improperly influence passengers’ decisions and create an impression that paying extra could improve service.
“Most aggregator companies introduced in-app tipping (before or during rides) in 2020, and gradually made it more upfront. By 2024, in-app tipping prompts began appearing routinely while booking rides, with aggregator firms claiming it encouraged faster matching and boosted driver earnings, particularly during peak hours,” an RTO official told HT on condition of anonymity.
Referring to Clause 14.15 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, the directive said, “Under the guidelines, passengers can be given the option to voluntarily tip drivers, but the option must be made available only after the ride has been completed.
Additionally, the entire amount paid by passengers as additional tip must go to the driver, the directive said. “Aggregators cannot deduct any service fee or other amount from the tip,” an RTO official noted.
