SRINAGAR: The Iranian government has approved a resolution to issue motorcycle licences to women, formally allowing them to ride two-wheelers, local media reported.
The decision has now entered the implementation phase, though the exact date for issuing the licences has not yet been announced.
Previously, the law did not explicitly prohibit women from driving motorcycles and scooters, but authorities had refused to issue licences in practice, leaving women legally liable for accidents even when they were victims.
Iran’s First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, signed a resolution yesterday to clarify the traffic code. The cabinet had approved the measure in late January. The resolution directs traffic police to provide practical training, supervise examinations, and issue motorcycle licences to women.
The change follows months of nationwide protests, initially sparked by economic grievances, which evolved into anti-government demonstrations. Tehran has reported more than 3,000 deaths during the unrest, mostly security personnel and bystanders, though rights groups suggest the toll may be much higher.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iranian women have faced social restrictions, including dress codes, which have posed challenges for riding motorcycles. Many women have increasingly defied these rules, a trend that accelerated after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested over alleged dress code violations, sparking widespread protests demanding greater freedoms.
