Iranian women can now officially ride motorcycles and obtain driver’s licences, ending years of legal uncertainty over two-wheel vehicle use.
The move was confirmed after First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref signed a new traffic regulation on Tuesday, 4 February 2026, following cabinet approval in late January.
Previously, no law explicitly banned women from riding motorcycles, but authorities routinely refused to issue licences. This legal gap often left women liable in accidents even when they were not at fault.
Under the new rules, traffic police must provide practical training, conduct supervised driving exams, and issue licences to women who meet the requirements, the Iranian Labour News Agency (Ilna) reported.
Maryam Talaie, who led Iran’s first official women’s motorcycle training near Tehran in 2018, described the change as “an important step for women’s mobility and safety on our roads.”
The announcement comes as Iran prepares for diplomatic talks with the United States in Oman on Friday, 7 February 2026, mediated by Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt. The discussions aim to address limits on nuclear enrichment, ballistic missile capabilities, and regional influence.
Tensions remain high after the Iranian government’s crackdown on recent protests. The talks are seen as a potential pathway to easing US sanctions that have heavily affected Iran’s economy.
