Iran Officially Ends Motorcycle Ban for Women: Licenses Now Available Nationwide

 Local media, including the ILNA news agency, reported that First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref signed the resolution on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, implementing a cabinet-approved measure from late January. The directive mandates that Iran's traffic police provide training, conduct supervised exams, and issue licenses to female applicants who pass.

For years, Iran's traffic laws—specifically Article 20 of the Law on Driving Offenses—referred exclusively to "men" when detailing motorcycle licensing, creating a de facto prohibition. This prevented women from securing insurance, facing fines for unlicensed riding, and accessing legal protections on the road. While women could own motorcycles and ride as passengers, independent operation remained restricted, often justified by conservative interpretations of modesty and hijab requirements.

The change follows growing public defiance, with videos and reports in 2025 showing increasing numbers of women riding scooters and motorcycles in cities like Tehran, sometimes framing it as an act of everyday resistance. Officials had previously described the restriction as a "legal gap" rather than an outright ban, with some noting that safety helmets could address religious dress concerns.

The reform is viewed as part of incremental shifts in Iran's social landscape, particularly after widespread protests in recent years demanding greater freedoms for women. However, it remains a targeted measure focused on mobility rather than a broader overhaul of gender policies.

Implementation details, including training programs (potentially involving female instructors where possible), are now being rolled out by the Law Enforcement Command. Women interested in applying can reportedly begin the process through local traffic authorities.

This announcement has drawn international attention as a rare domestic concession amid ongoing geopolitical pressures and internal debates over women's rights. Further monitoring will reveal how widely the new licenses are issued and whether cultural barriers persist in practice.