Riyadh: As reported by Saudi TV channel Al Ekhbariya more than 190 women drove from both sides of the King Fahad Causeway, the 25-kilometre terrestrial link between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on the first day of the ban-lift on women driving in the Saudi kingdom.
This is the first time in the 32-year history of the causeway that women have driven across it. The historic day was celebrated with great fanfare by Saudi and Bahraini women. They expressed solidarity with each other.
Major General Mansour Al Turki, official spokesman of the Ministry of Interior and Major General Mohammed Al Bassami, Director General of the Ministry’s General Directorate of Traffic revealed that more than 120,000 women have applied to obtain a driving license in Saudi Arabia. Women with no experience are required to undergo at least 30 hours of practical training at a driving school.
In September 2017, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz took the decision in line with the Vision 2030 blueprint for the future that women would be allowed to drive starting June 24, 2018. The decision was spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.