A breath of fresh air on two wheels: Why Iran’s new law letting women ride motorcycles matters

Iranian women allowed to obtain motorcycle licences after decades of legal limbo

Women in Iran can now officially obtain licences to ride motorcycles, local media reported on February 4, bringing an end to years of legal ambiguity surrounding the use of two-wheelers by women.

While Iranian law had never explicitly banned women from riding motorcycles or scooters, authorities routinely refused to issue licences. As a result, women riders were left without legal protection, often being held responsible in road accidents even when they were victims.

What has changed

Iran’s First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref signed a resolution on February 3 clarifying the traffic code, following approval by the cabinet in late January, according to the Ilna news agency.

The resolution obliges traffic police 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 move formally removes administrative barriers that had prevented women from obtaining licences, insurance coverage and legal safeguards.

Why the change matters

Due to the earlier legal grey area, women riding without licences were unable to access insurance and, in the event of accidents, could be held liable for full blood money even when not at fault.

Despite the lack of formal permission, women riding scooters and motorcycles had become increasingly common in Iranian cities, using two-wheelers to commute to school, work and social spaces. Iranian women have also participated in international motorcycle competitions since 2016.

Protests and political backdrop

The resolution follows a wave of protests across Iran that were initially triggered by economic grievances but later expanded into nationwide anti-government demonstrations. Tehran has acknowledged that more than 3,000 deaths occurred during the unrest, insisting most were security personnel and bystanders.

Women’s mobility and public presence became a central theme of the protests, particularly after the 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was detained for allegedly violating Iran’s dress code. Her death sparked widespread demonstrations demanding greater personal freedoms for women.

Social and religious resistance

Since Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution, women have faced multiple social restrictions, including strict dress codes that pose challenges for motorcycle riders. Women are required to cover their hair with a headscarf and wear loose-fitting clothing in public.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously ruled that women cycling “in public view of men is haram because it attracts attention”. Several clerics have argued that riding motorcycles makes it difficult to observe hijab rules and exposes body movement.

Despite this, defiance of dress regulations has grown in recent years, with the number of women riding motorcycles increasing sharply.

Mixed reactions on the ground

Some women have welcomed the legal clarity but say the change comes late. Saina, a 33-year-old advertising agency employee, told AFP that the move was “too late” because “women have been riding motorcycles for months already”.

She added that the new rule was “not the main problem in our society”.

A long process

Iran’s first serious attempt to address the issue began last year. In August 2025, Presidential Council Advisor Kazim Dilhosh announced that a bill proposing amendments to Article 20 of the Traffic Violations Law had been submitted to parliament to resolve the matter.

With the new resolution now in force, women riders are expected to gain legal recognition, training and licensing for the first time, a symbolic shift in a country where women’s access to public space remains tightly regulated.