RIYADH -- Saudi Arabia on Monday granted a woman driving license after decades of driving ban, Al Arabiya local news reported.
The country announced last week its readiness to allow women to drive vehicles, starting from June 24, after Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered in September 2017 to allow women to drive cars after decades of restricting driving only to male citizens and residents.
Assistant Minister of Interior for Operation Affairs, General Saeed Al-Qahtani, has confirmed that all women who are capable of driving cars can do so.
He also warned the new female drivers that they would be on par with male drivers facing penalties and fines in case of traffic violations.
The minister highlighted that security checkpoints would be set up to deal with expected changes in traffic after the ban is lifted.
Driving schools for women have been set up across five cities in the kingdom. Women with foreign driving licenses will be able to apply for local ones through a separate process, which will also assess their driving skills. (Xinhua)
