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

Cabs in queue at the Secunderabad Railway Station. | Photo Credit: File Photo 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