Passengers Can Now Choose Female Drivers for Cabs
The safety of women traveling alone in cabs has long been a major concern. Addressing this issue, the central government has taken a significant and reassuring step. App-based cab services such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido have been directed to offer female passengers the option to select a female driver at the time of booking. The government believes that this initiative will ensure a safer and more dependable travel experience for women.
According to the directive issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, female passengers will only have this option if female drivers are available in the relevant area. This means the service will be entirely dependent on availability, but wherever possible, women will be given the freedom to choose their preferred driver. This is considered a major safety measure, especially for women traveling alone late at night.
The central government has also instructed all states to implement these new rules for app-based cab services. However, no clear deadline has been set for the implementation of these rules. Earlier, in July 2025, the government had issued basic guidelines for motor vehicle aggregators, giving states three months to implement them. This new provision related to women’s safety is considered a significant extension in the same direction.
Driver Tipping Rules Changed: Along with female passengers, the government has also changed the rules related to drivers. Now, passengers will be able to tip the driver voluntarily after the cab ride is completed. This means tipping will be entirely optional and will not be linked to the booking or the trip in any way. The option to tip will only appear in the app after the trip is finished.
