Now Reading: Centre tells ride-hailing apps to remove pre-ride tip prompts
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Centre tells ride-hailing apps to remove pre-ride tip prompts
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has directed all ride-hailing apps to remove tip-related prompts that appear before or during a trip. In a directive dated August 11, 2026, it cited…
The Story in Brief
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has directed all ride-hailing apps to remove tip-related prompts that appear before or during a trip. In a directive dated August 11, 2026, it cited Clause 14.15 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, which states that tipping must be voluntary and can only be offered after the journey ends. The entire tip amount must go to the driver without deduction by the aggregator. The ministry said prompts such as “Advance Tip” or “A driver may be more likely to accept this trip if you add a tip” create a misleading impression that extra payment improves service. The move follows an earlier direction from the Central Consumer Protection Authority against the practice.
The Indian Opinion
The move rightly targets apps that turned tipping into a hidden bidding system. But the real test is enforcement: will the ministry penalise companies that quietly keep the prompts? Drivers who rely on tips may feel the pinch, but the alternative, a pay-to-play system, is worse for everyone. Watch for the next compliance report from the consumer protection authority.
Sources (3): deccanherald.com, businesstoday.in, english.mathrubhumi.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
