Iran formally permits women to obtain motorcycle licences

• Women in Iran can now officially obtain motorcycle licenses.
• The law previously did not explicitly ban women, but authorities refused licenses in practice.
• First Vice President Aref signed a resolution clarifying traffic regulations.

Women in Iran can now formally obtain motorcycle licenses, local media report, ending years of legal ambiguity surrounding two-wheeled vehicles.

The move follows the government’s violent crackdown on nationwide anti-regime protests last month.

Legal Gray Area Ends

Although Iranian law never explicitly banned women from riding motorcycles or scooters, authorities routinely refused to issue licenses. This legal gray area often left women vulnerable, with some held responsible for traffic accidents even when they were victims.

Government Resolution

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref signed a resolution clarifying the country’s traffic regulations. Approved by Iran’s cabinet in late January, the measure obliges traffic police to provide practical training for female applicants, organize exams under police supervision, and issue motorcycle licenses to women.

Implementation and Training

Zahra Behrouz Azar, Deputy for Women and Family Affairs at the Presidency, announced that the final steps for issuing licenses are underway and the program will be implemented soon.

Police will now hold formal training classes for women, with female instructors and officers participating in the process. The regulation also directs authorities to ensure the availability of safe, standard-compliant motorcycles and protective equipment for women riders.

Context: Protests and Social Restrictions

The announcement comes amid ongoing social and political tensions in Iran. Recent protests, initially sparked by economic grievances, escalated last month into nationwide anti-government demonstrations. Authorities report over 3,000 deaths during the unrest, though rights groups warn the actual toll may be significantly higher.

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iranian women have faced strict social restrictions, including dress codes that complicate motorcycle riding.

Despite these limitations, more women have increasingly taken to two-wheelers in recent years, a trend that accelerated after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini while in custody for allegedly violating dress regulations. Her death ignited widespread protests demanding greater freedoms for women.

Significance

The new licensing regulation provides women formal legal recognition and protection for riding motorcycles.

It also addresses practical challenges such as traffic congestion and air pollution, while marking a symbolic step toward greater autonomy and mobility for women in Iran.