Iranian women ride motorcycles following approval of licences by the government.
Women in Iran can now legally obtain motorcycle riding licences, ending years of uncertainty over their right to ride two-wheelers.
Local media reported on Wednesday that Iran’s First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, has approved a resolution clarifying the country’s traffic laws. The decision was endorsed by the cabinet in late January.
Previously, Iranian law did not clearly ban women from riding motorcycles. However, traffic authorities routinely refused to issue licences. As a result, women involved in accidents were often held legally responsible, even when they were victims.
Under the new resolution, traffic police are required to train female applicants, conduct official riding tests, and issue motorcycle licences to qualified women.
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The move follows months of nationwide protests, which began over economic hardship and later expanded into wider anti-government demonstrations.
Women’s rights have been tightly restricted since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Strict dress codes and social rules have discouraged female motorcycle use, though the number of women riders has increased in recent years.
This trend grew stronger after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, which sparked widespread protests demanding greater freedom for women.
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