Iran officially allows women to ride motorcycles and scooters
Iran has formally authorized women to obtain motorcycle and scooter licenses, ending years of legal ambiguity regarding female riders. While traffic laws did not explicitly forbid women from riding, authorities previously refused to issue them permits. As a result, women motorcyclists—growing in numbers—were held legally responsible in accidents even if they were not at fault.
The measure follows a resolution signed Tuesday by First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, approved by the Cabinet in late January. Under the new rules, the traffic police must provide practical training for female candidates, conduct supervised exams, and issue motorcycle licenses to women, according to the Iranian news agency Ilna.
Historically, the 1979 Islamic Revolution restricted women’s access to many activities, including riding motorcycles, and societal norms discouraged such practices. Strict dress codes, including the hijab and modest clothing, also posed challenges for female riders.
In recent years, women in Iran have increasingly challenged these restrictions, a trend that intensified following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 while in custody for allegedly violating dress codes. Her death sparked nationwide protests demanding greater freedoms for women.
The new licensing policy represents a significant step toward gender equality in mobility and provides women with safer, legal access to two-wheel transportation.
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