Saudi grants driving licenses to women

Saudi Arabia has issued its first driver’s licenses to 10 women as the kingdom prepares to lift the world’s only ban on women driving in three weeks. The Saudi General Traffic Directorate began to issue domestic driving licences to women who have international ones.

Though the Kingdom has started to grant licenses to women, a number of women who’d campaigned for the right to drive are under arrest and facing charges related to their activism.

The 10 women who were issued licenses already held driving licenses from other countries, including US, UK, Lebanon and Canada. They took a brief driving test and eye exam before being issued the licenses at the General Department of Traffic in Riyadh.

Other women across the country have been preparing for the right to drive on June 24 by taking driving courses on female-only college campuses. Some are even training to become drivers for ride hailing companies like Uber.

To boost the economy and ease international criticism, Saudi Arabia’s 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been promoting changes, like the decision to allow women to drive. The prince has also attempted to appeal to young Saudis by opening the country to more entertainment, allowing music concerts and bringing the first commercial movie theater to Saudi Arabia this year.