![Traffic on King Fahd Road in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as seen on February 10, 2008 [Ammar Shaker / Public Domain]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/1280px-KING_FAHD_ROAD_FEB1-e1525517858721.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Saudi Arabia announced on Friday that it will allow women to drive taxis, following the royal decree issued last year granting permission for women to have driving licences from June this year, Anadolu reported on Friday.
According to official media reports, the Director of the Saudi Traffic Department, Mohammed Al-Bassami, confirmed that all of the requirements needed for women to drive cars have been completed. He noted that the necessary operating licences for five driving schools for women have been issued and they are to open centres in six cities, including Riyadh. More applications are pending, he added.
The Saudi official pointed out that driving lessons for women have already started, and that a number of women are being trained to work in the Traffic Department, both in administrative posts and on the road.
In conclusion, Al-Bassami explained that women who hold foreign driving licences will be able to exchange them for Saudi licences.