Ola, Uber to allow women to choose female drivers: Gender choice option mandatory in app, new guidelines issued

Soon, you will have the option to choose a driver of the same gender when booking a ride through apps like Ola, Uber, and Rapido. You will also be able to tip the driver after the trip is completed. The entire tip amount will go to the driver.

These rules aim to enhance passenger safety, especially for women passengers who will have the option to choose a female driver. The government has amended the Motor Vehicle Aggregators Guidelines, 2025. States have been asked to implement them.

When will the same-gender driver rule be implemented?

The notification does not specify a clear ‘effective date’, so it is considered effective from the date of its issuance.

When the original Motor Vehicle Aggregators guidelines were issued in July 2025, states were given 3 months to adopt them.

Something similar might happen for the amendments, but no fixed timeline has been specified yet.

How will the new rule be implemented?

These guidelines are from the central government. State governments will incorporate these amendments into their licensing process.

Aggregators will have to update their apps, such as adding the feature to choose a driver of the same gender under Clause 15.6.

Companies will comply to maintain or renew their licenses. Failure to do so may result in license suspension or cancellation.

Practically, it may take some time for companies to make the necessary changes to their apps, but compliance is mandatory.