Maharashtra Govt Moves to Regulate Ola, Uber, Rapido with Draft Rules

As per the news reports, Maharashtra has released the draft Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules, 2025, for app-based taxi and e-rickshaw services, including Ola, Uber, and Rapido. Public feedback is open until October 17, 2025, after which the rules will be implemented. The rules aim to regulate fares, driver working hours, and passenger safety.

Licensing and Fees

Companies must obtain licences from the State Transport Authority (STA) or the Regional Transport Authority (RTA). Licence fees are ₹10 lakh for STA and ₹2 lakh for RTA, with renewal fees of ₹25,000 and ₹5,000 respectively. 

Security deposits depend on fleet size: ₹10 lakh for up to 1,000 vehicles, ₹25 lakh for 1,001-10,000, and ₹50 lakh for larger fleets. Licences will be valid for 5 years.

Driver Regulations

Drivers can work a maximum of 12 hours per day with 10 hours of rest before returning. All drivers must complete a 30-hour training on road safety, service standards, and digital skills. Drivers with ratings below two stars will be suspended until retraining.

Vehicle and Passenger Rules

Vehicles older than 9 years for cabs and autos, and 8 years for buses, cannot operate on aggregator platforms. Each ride must include optional ₹5 lakh passenger insurance. Apps must be available in Marathi, Hindi, and English, offer real-time location tracking, and include accessibility features for people with disabilities.

Surge pricing is capped at 1.5 times the base fare, while convenience fees cannot exceed 5% per ride. Total deductions, including platform commissions, cannot exceed 10%. Drivers will not see passenger destinations before accepting trips to reduce refusals.

Coverage and Scope

The rules apply to all passenger vehicles, including cabs, e-rickshaws, and buses. Bike-taxi services will follow the separate Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025. The draft is issued under Sections 73, 74, and 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

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Conclusion

The draft sets uniform standards for licensing, fares, vehicle age, driver welfare, and passenger safety. Once finalised, it will regulate app-based transport services across Maharashtra in a structured framework.

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