Iran has formally authorised women to obtain motorcycle licences, a move that ends decades of ambiguity and informal bans that kept most women off two-wheelers despite the absence of an explicit legal prohibition.

Local media report that a new government resolution has ordered traffic police to provide full training and testing for female applicants and to issue them motorcycle licences on the same basis as men. The measure, signed by First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref after cabinet approval, effectively dismantles an unwritten policy under which women were routinely turned away from licensing centres.

For years, the law did not clearly forbid women from riding motorcycles, yet in practice authorities refused to process their applications. This legal limbo had serious consequences. In traffic accidents, women riders or passengers could be held responsible even when they were victims, because they were deemed to be operating or using a vehicle without a recognised licence.

The new resolution instructs 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,” according to Iranian labour news agency Ilna. Rights advocates say this language closes a loophole that allowed officials to block women from the road while claiming there was no formal ban.

The policy shift comes against the backdrop of years of unrest and demands for broader social freedoms. Economic grievances initially fuelled protests that later evolved into nationwide demonstrations challenging political and religious authorities. Women have been at the forefront of these movements, using public space and personal mobility as tools of resistance.

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, women in Iran have faced strict dress codes and behavioural rules in public. Mandatory headscarves and loose clothing have posed practical challenges for those who wanted to ride motorcycles, yet many women have increasingly defied both social norms and official pressure.

The trend accelerated after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, detained by morality police for allegedly violating hijab rules. Her case ignited widespread protests led by women demanding autonomy over their bodies and daily lives. In that context, the right to legally ride a motorcycle has become more than a matter of transport; it is seen by many as a symbolic step toward reclaiming public space and personal agency.