Women in Iran can now officially apply for and obtain motorcycle licences, following a government decision that brings clarity to years of legal uncertainty surrounding female riders, local media reported on Wednesday.
Although Iranian law had never expressly banned women from riding motorcycles or scooters, authorities previously declined to issue licences to them in practice. As a result of this legal grey area, women involved in road accidents were often held legally liable, even when they were victims.
According to the Ilna news agency, Iran’s First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, signed a resolution on Tuesday to clarify provisions of the traffic code. The measure had earlier been approved by the Iranian cabinet in late January.
Under the new directive, traffic police are required to “provide practical training to female applicants, organise an exam under the direct supervision of the police, and issue motorcycle driver’s licences to women”, Ilna reported.
The development comes in the wake of widespread protests across Iran, which initially erupted over economic concerns but later escalated into nationwide anti-government demonstrations.
Authorities have acknowledged that more than 3,000 people lost their lives during the unrest, maintaining that the majority of those killed were security personnel and bystanders.
Since the 1979 Islamic revolution, women in Iran have been subject to various social restrictions, including strict dress codes that have posed challenges for female motorcycle riders.
Women are required to cover their hair with headscarves in public and wear modest, loose clothing, though growing numbers have increasingly defied these regulations. In recent months, the number of women riding motorcycles has risen significantly.
This trend gained momentum following the 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating the country’s dress code. Her death triggered widespread protests led by women calling for expanded freedoms across Iran.
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