Behrouz-Azar: The Government Is Following Up on Issuing Motorcycle Licenses for Women

According to Khabaronline, an Iranian news agency, Speaking to reporters on Wednesday on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting, Behrouz-Azar explained that the issue is being followed up in coordination with Iran’s traffic police in order to make its implementation possible in practice. “At present, there is no legal ban on issuing motorcycle licenses for women, and the required legal inquiries have already been conducted,” she said.

According to the vice president, women’s use of motorcycles in recent years has expanded due to practical considerations such as faster mobility on short routes, lower costs compared to cars, and greater environmental efficiency. She described the trend as a “natural and social phenomenon” shaped by the realities of urban traffic in Iran.

Behrouz-Azar noted that in previous decades there was little to no demand from women to ride motorcycles, but the situation has changed. Today, she said, women’s motorcycling has become a public and social demand, with some women already riding motorcycles despite the absence of a formal licensing framework. The government, she added, is seeking to move the issue out of this informal space by establishing specialized training courses, preparing driving schools, and training relevant officers.

For years, women’s motorcycle riding in Iran has existed in a legal gray zone—neither explicitly banned nor formally regulated. This gap has created a growing disconnect between the law and social reality. At the political level, some lawmakers and law enforcement officials have previously indicated that there is no clear religious objection, emphasizing that any final decision should come through transparent legislation and executive regulations.

Observers say Behrouz-Azar’s remarks reflect a broader effort by the government to align public policy with ongoing social change. For many women, riding a motorcycle is not a symbolic demand, but a practical solution for daily commuting, employment, and navigating life in Iran’s congested cities.