Iraq grants 90-day grace period to register motorcycles under new national rules

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s General Traffic Directorate announced Sunday a 90-day grace period for motorcycle owners to register their vehicles before enforcement actions begin, part of efforts to improve road safety nationwide.

The directive, issued under Statement No. 3 of 2025, temporarily suspends the impoundment of motorcycles until the grace period ends. During that time, owners must meet specific traffic requirements.

“Motorcycles will not be impounded until the expiration of the 90-day period granted for official registration,” the directorate said. “Owners are required to obtain a driving license, follow the Traffic Law and applicable regulations, obey traffic lights, avoid driving against traffic flow or on the left side of the road, carry no more than one passenger, and wear a helmet.”

The update follows Statement No. 1 of 2025, issued March 3, which introduced broad rules regulating motorcycle use. That order required all motorcycles with engines 25cc or larger to be registered, limited operation to designated routes, and banned riding between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless exempted.

In Baghdad, stricter rules apply. Only motorcycles with engines 40cc and above are permitted in parts of the city, and movement is restricted to areas east of the Tigris River up to Al-Qanat Street. Highway access is banned, and delivery motorcycles must be licensed, color-coded by district, and are not allowed to cross between Baghdad’s east and west sides.

The new directive reiterates that motorcycles under 125cc are prohibited from highways and that unregistered bikes may not operate after sunset. Violators will face penalties under Iraq’s Traffic Law No. 8 of 2019.

“The violator will be punished according to the legal provisions established for each offense,” the directorate said.

On March 25, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Interior Ministry also warned of increasing traffic violations involving motorcycles, particularly unregistered bikes used for deliveries. Authorities said such vehicles may be seized if riders fail to comply with traffic laws.