Regulations ready for women to take the wheel, says Saudi traffic chief

Regulations are ready for women to take the wheel in Saudi Arabia when the decades-long driving ban is lifted on June 24, the General Department of Traffic said in a statement on Tuesday.

Laws governing training and issuing of license are in place, and 21 sites for exchanging foreign licenses are ready to open, Major General Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Bassami, Director at Department of Traffic, said in the statement.

Five driving schools for women have been opened – one each in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah and Tabuk – and more will be launched soon, he said.

Major General Al Bassami said the move also opens new business opportunities as women will be able to work as taxi drivers and in the related traffic security facilities and activities.

All laws and regulations governing the roads and driving will be applied equally to male and female drivers, he added.