Saudi Royal Order allows women to drive

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has issued a royal order to grant driving licences to men and women alike under the provisions of the Traffic Law and its Executive Regulations.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, SPA, King Salman instructed the Minister of Interior to "adopt the application of the provisions of the Traffic Law and its Executive Regulations - including the issuance of driving licenses - to both males and females."

The King referred to the "negative consequences of not allowing women to drive vehicles and the positive aspects of allowing it, taking into consideration the application of the necessary legal controls and adherence to them."

He also pointed to the "view of the majority of the members of senior scholars" on women's driving, who see no impediment to allowing it, providing the necessary "guarantees of legitimacy and order" are in place.

A high-level ministerial committee will be formed to study the necessary arrangements for enforcing the order, which is to be implemented as of June, 2018.