Saudi women allowed to drive for first time in history

Women in Saudi Arabia were legally allowed to drive for the first time in the history of one of the most conservative countries on Sunday.

The driving ban on women was lifted on Sunday after decades of allowing only male citizens and residents to drive.

In the early hours, women have been driving on the road, while the Saudi traffic police handed out roses to them, according to Al Arabiya news.

On June 4, Saudi Arabia issued the first driving license to women, as Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud officially announced in September 2017 to allow women to drive.

Assistant Interior Minister for Operations Saeed Al-Qahtani has confirmed that security checkpoints would be set up to deal with expected changes in traffic after lifting the ban.

Driving schools for women have been set up in five cities in the kingdom. Teachers include Saudi women who obtained their licenses abroad. Women with foreign driving licenses will be able to apply for a local one through a separate process.