Transport Ministry Orders Removal Of Pre-Trip Tip Prompts
ECONOMY & POLICY

Transport Ministry Orders Removal Of Pre-Trip Tip Prompts

The transport ministry has directed ride-hailing applications to remove tip-related prompts that appear before a trip begins, in a move to curb pre-trip solicitation. The instruction reiterates that Clause 14.15 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, permits aggregators to provide a feature on their application that allows passengers to give a voluntary tip to the driver. The ministry issued the direction in a notification reported by PTI on 12 August 2026.

The ministry said the prompts may create pressure on passengers and affect the voluntariness of tips, and it asked companies to remove any pre-ride solicitations from user interfaces. Companies were advised to ensure that any tipping mechanism remains optional and that passengers are not prompted to tip before a trip has been accepted or completed. The change aims to clarify that a voluntary tipping feature can exist without influencing passenger consent.

The clause cited allows aggregators to include a tipping option on the application, subject to its voluntary nature, and does not prescribe the placement or timing of such features beyond the ministry instruction. Aggregators and platform operators will need to review user journeys, remove any pre-trip prompts and update design elements to align with the guidelines. Compliance will be monitored by the relevant regulatory authorities as part of broader oversight of aggregator operations.

The notification referenced the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, and underscored the balance between supporting driver earnings and protecting consumer choice. Industry sources expect platforms to roll out interface changes in phases while liaising with drivers and user experience teams to implement the directive. The ministry indicated that preserving the voluntary character of tips is central to the regulatory approach.

The transport ministry has directed ride-hailing applications to remove tip-related prompts that appear before a trip begins, in a move to curb pre-trip solicitation. The instruction reiterates that Clause 14.15 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, permits aggregators to provide a feature on their application that allows passengers to give a voluntary tip to the driver. The ministry issued the direction in a notification reported by PTI on 12 August 2026. The ministry said the prompts may create pressure on passengers and affect the voluntariness of tips, and it asked companies to remove any pre-ride solicitations from user interfaces. Companies were advised to ensure that any tipping mechanism remains optional and that passengers are not prompted to tip before a trip has been accepted or completed. The change aims to clarify that a voluntary tipping feature can exist without influencing passenger consent. The clause cited allows aggregators to include a tipping option on the application, subject to its voluntary nature, and does not prescribe the placement or timing of such features beyond the ministry instruction. Aggregators and platform operators will need to review user journeys, remove any pre-trip prompts and update design elements to align with the guidelines. Compliance will be monitored by the relevant regulatory authorities as part of broader oversight of aggregator operations. The notification referenced the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, and underscored the balance between supporting driver earnings and protecting consumer choice. Industry sources expect platforms to roll out interface changes in phases while liaising with drivers and user experience teams to implement the directive. The ministry indicated that preserving the voluntary character of tips is central to the regulatory approach.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

GMDA to Spend Rs 86 mn on Green Belts Along Seven Gurugram Roads

The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) will spend Rs 86 mn to develop, upgrade and maintain green areas along seven key sector-dividing roads in the city after three tenders were floated, officials said. The project is intended to create landscaped stretches that can absorb additional rainwater runoff and reduce waterlogging during the monsoon. Contractors will be given six months to complete development work and 36 months of maintenance obligations. GMDA chief executive officer PC Meena stated that green areas will be established along sector-dividing roads in sectors 47/49, 4..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Modern College Inaugurates Phase Two Campus Road Supported By HiKOKI

Modern College in Kohima formally inaugurated Phase two of its campus road on 12 August 2026 in an event marked by senior officials of HiKOKI Power Tools India Pvt. Ltd. The programme began at 10:30 am with a prayer led by Pezangulie Keyho, pastor of Piphema A Baptist Church, followed by the unveiling of a road monolith and a sapling plantation drive. The ceremony brought together college administrators, company representatives and students to witness completion of the latest stretch of the thoroughfare. The HiKOKI delegation included Rajan Batra, director of sales, Harsha Kumar, assistant gen..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

158 Remote Villages in Andhra Pradesh to Get Roads

In a major push to take development to the doorstep of people in remote habitations, 158 villages and hamlets in Andhra Pradesh will receive road connectivity for the first time under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. The project carries an administrative sanction of Rs 4.22 billion (bn) and officials said it is expected to transform access to education, healthcare, markets and other essential services for thousands of residents. The scheme covers construction and bridging works across several districts. The plan provides for 146 roads covering 347 km and 19 bridges to be built, with execu..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement