Rows of newly imported vehicles wrapped in protective covers are lined up at a storage lot awaiting distribution.
Adapted cars
Nearly 67,000 people with disabilities in Iraq benefit from tax-exempt vehicle imports
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced that 66,786 people with disabilities and special needs have benefited from a legal provision allowing them to import modified, tax-exempt vehicles.
Ministry spokesperson Hassan Khuwam told the state-run Al-Sabah newspaper that the exemptions are granted under Law No. 38 of 2013, which outlines the rights of people with disabilities. The law permits eligible individuals to import one modified, tax- and customs-free vehicle every five years, provided that medical committees certify their condition.
Khuwam said beneficiaries must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid driver’s license, and have a certified disability rating of no less than 50 percent. “The total number of beneficiaries who have imported vehicles under this framework has reached 66,786,” he said.
Eligibility is determined through disability assessments conducted by specialized medical committees, which evaluate the extent to which an individual’s impairment affects daily activities and mobility.
Vehicle imports must be completed through one of two state-owned companies — the General Company for Automotive and Machinery Trading or the State Company for Automotive Industry — and purchase must take place within one year of receiving medical approval. Otherwise, a new authorization must be issued.
Khuwam also said the ministry is coordinating with the General Directorate of Traffic to issue driver’s licenses to individuals who are deaf, supporting their right to mobility and independence.
Modified vehicles for people with disabilities typically include adaptations such as hand controls for braking and acceleration, wheelchair ramps or lifts, swivel seats, lowered floors, and steering aids.
