In its newly released Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2025, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced a rule prohibiting ride‑hailing platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido from onboarding vehicles that are more than eight years old. This move aims to improve passenger safety and raise service quality across India’s aggregator sector business-standard
📋 What the Guideline Says
- Aggregators cannot register vehicles older than eight years from their initial registration date.
- Other new rules include surge pricing of up to 2× the base fare, a minimum fare floor of 50% during off-peak hours, mandatory driver insurance, and the introduction of grievance officers and licensing
✅ Why It Matters
- Enhanced safety: Newer vehicles are typically more reliable and adhere to emissions and safety standards.
- Elevated service experience: An eight-year cap ensures cleaner, more comfortable rides for customers across aggregated platforms.
- Operational impact: Aggregators must phase out older vehicles, prompting a shift toward newer fleets, possibly including electric or hybrid options.
📅 Timeline & Compliance
- The central government has urged state governments to adopt these guidelines within three months.
- Once implemented, aggregators will be legally barred from registering older vehicles, affecting drivers with aging cars.
✅ Final Takeaway
The Govt set 8-year limit for Ola, Uber, Rapido marks a significant shift toward passenger safety and cleaner, higher-quality ride services. As the new rules roll out, both riders and drivers may see immediate changes—in improved ride conditions and fleet compositions.
