Road Ministry Makes Female Driver Option Mandatory in Cab Bookings

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has updated the Motor Vehicles Aggregators Guidelines, 2025, introducing mandatory features on all cab aggregator apps to enhance passenger safety and driver welfare.  

Among the notable changes is the requirement for passengers, especially female travellers, to opt for drivers of the same gender while booking rides. 

Mandatory Gender-Based Driver Options for Passenger Safety 

Effective from December 24, 2025, cab aggregators are now directed to include a gender preference feature. According to Clause 15.6 of the updated guidelines, passengers must be given the option to select a driver of the same gender, where such availability exists.  

This move specifically aims to provide safer mobility options for female passengers by allowing them to choose female drivers during the ride booking process. 

All app-based ride service platforms such as Ola and Uber will need to modify their applications to integrate this feature. The amendment reflects growing emphasis on safety and inclusivity in urban transport frameworks. 

Voluntary Tipping System Introduced with Full Credit to Drivers 

In a parallel move to support driver welfare, the government has mandated a tipping system that becomes accessible only after the ride is completed.  

Passengers will now have the option to voluntarily tip their drivers at the end of their journey, ensuring that the whole tip amount goes directly to the driver without any deductions by the aggregator. 

To ensure fair practices, the new rules state that the tipping mechanism must not be accessible at the time of ride booking, before the trip begins, or during the journey. Moreover, the tipping process must comply with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and avoid being misleading or manipulative in nature. 

Read More: Uber, Ola Join Forces with Bengaluru Police to Enhance Commuter Safety! 

Additional Licensing and Fare Guidelines 

The Motor Vehicles Aggregators Guidelines, 2025, also outline pricing rules, allowing dynamic pricing by cab aggregator companies. They can now offer fares up to 50% below the base fare at off-peak hours, while surge pricing has been capped at 200% of the base fare during high demand periods.  

The revised norms also ensure passengers are not charged for dead mileage beyond 3 kilometres and specify transparent fare calculations from origin to destination. 

Conclusion 

The updated guidelines by the Road Ministry aim to enhance passenger safety and support drivers with clearer operational policies. The mandatory option for female drivers and transparent tipping measures mark key adjustments in the transportation ecosystem. 

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