Iran formally allows women to ride motorcycles

AFP | Tehran

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Women in Iran can now formally obtain a licence to ride a motorcycle, local media reported Wednesday, ending years of legal ambiguity surrounding twowheelers.

Previously, the law did not explicitly prohibit women from riding motorbikes and scooters, but in practice authorities refused to issue licences.

Due to the grey area, women have been held legally responsible for accidents even when victims.

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref signed a resolution on Tuesday aimed at clarifying the traffic code, which was approved by Iran’s cabinet in late January, the country’s Ilna news agency reported.

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 said.

For Saina, a 33-year-old advertising agency employee who has been commuting to work by scooter for six months, the change to the traffic laws comes “too late” because “women have been riding motorcycles for months already”.

“I don’t think this is the main problem in our society,” she told AFP, referring to the recent protests and Iran’s economic challenges.