Female drivers in Saudi Arabia

For decades, Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world where women were legally forbidden from driving. Many scholars argued the ban had no basis in Islam — even the wives of Prophet Muhammad rode camels and horses. Then, in September 2017, Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud signed a landmark decree lifting the ban on women driving cars. Three months later, the prohibition was also removed for motorcycles and trucks.

On Monday, June 4, 2018, the first Saudi women officially received their driver’s licenses, issued by the General Directorate of Road Traffic. This milestone came three weeks before the royal decree formally took effect. The traffic police shared a video of the ceremony: an officer welcomes the new driver, offers instructions, and presents the license — met with applause from those in attendance.

License ceremonies took place in several cities across the kingdom. Saudi authorities also allowed women holding valid licenses from countries recognized by Saudi Arabia to exchange them for Saudi licenses and begin driving immediately once the law came into force. Since June 24, 2018, any woman over the age of 18 has the legal right to drive in Saudi Arabia.

What Were Women’s Driving Rights Before the 2018 Reform?

Before the reform, driving by a woman in Saudi Arabia was severely punished. If a woman was caught driving in a public place, she could face arrest or a substantial fine. The driving ban became one of the most visible symbols of gender inequality in the ultra-conservative kingdom and damaged Saudi Arabia’s international reputation.

Saudi Arabia is a Muslim monarchy governed by Sharia law. Over the years, government officials cited numerous reasons to justify the ban on women driving, including:

• Claims that men and women could not have equal rights on the road
• Assertions that a driver’s license would cause family discord
• Pseudoscientific claims that driving could damage women’s ovaries and harm procreation

Lifting the ban was widely seen as an effort by the Saudi government to improve its global standing and strengthen diplomatic relations with Western nations.

Timeline: Women’s Fight for the Right to Drive in Saudi Arabia

Saudi women and human rights activists campaigned for decades to overturn the driving ban. Here are the key moments in that struggle:

• 1990s: Dozens of women drove cars along the main streets of Riyadh in a bold act of protest. Participants were detained by police and only released after their husbands and fathers promised the women would not drive again.
• June 2011: A renewed campaign saw law enforcement record more than 70 cases of women driving. Activist Shaima Jastaniah was sentenced to 10 lashes, though the verdict was later overturned.
• July 2013: Women planned a mass driving protest, but the Ministry of Internal Affairs warned women not to drive three days before the scheduled date. On the day of the planned action, reinforced roadblocks were set up across Riyadh.
• 2013–2017: Saudi women launched multiple social media campaigns demanding the right to drive. Despite there being no explicit law forbidding women from driving, only men were allowed to obtain a driver’s license. Women who drove illegally faced arrest and imprisonment.
• September 2017: King Salman signed the historic decree allowing women to drive, largely attributed to the influence of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, who has championed broad economic and social reforms across the kingdom.

How Has Women Driving Changed Daily Life in Saudi Arabia?

The lifting of the driving ban has brought significant practical benefits to Saudi women and the broader economy:

• Easier access to employment: Previously, many women relied on taxis or personal drivers to commute. The high cost of these services discouraged some women from working altogether.
• Greater personal independence: Women can now run errands, attend appointments, and travel freely without depending on a male relative or hired driver.
• Economic growth: More drivers on the road means increased fuel consumption and broader participation in the workforce.

In preparation for the June 24, 2018, effective date, a special government committee addressed key issues related to implementation. This included training police officers to interact appropriately with female drivers in compliance with Islamic norms, as well as deciding whether women would need permission from male guardians to obtain a license.

The royal decree stated: “To adopt the implementation of the traffic rules and its executive rules, including the issuance of driving licenses, both to men and women, and to form a high-level committee of ministers to examine the necessary measures to enforce the rules.”

How the World Reacted to Saudi Women Driving

Major automobile companies around the world celebrated the historic change and congratulated Saudi women:

• Ford posted a photo of a woman’s eyes in a rearview mirror with the caption “Welcome to the driver’s seat.”
• Jaguar shared a short video of a car key sliding toward a woman’s handbag, captioned “Roads are yours.”
• Volkswagen published an image of a woman’s hands on a dark background with the phrase “My turn.”
• Mini suggested that soon there would be dedicated women’s parking spots in Saudi Arabia.

The general public also responded with humor — social media filled with images of black-covered cars featuring eye slits, playfully referencing traditional Saudi attire.

Challenges and Setbacks After the Driving Ban Was Lifted

Not everyone welcomed the reform. Shortly after the decree was announced, a video circulated online showing a young man threatening to burn women who dared to drive. He was detained by police in the Eastern Province within days.

Tragically, there were also fatal incidents during the transition period. In October 2017, a woman in Jeddah was practicing driving under her husband’s supervision when she lost control of the vehicle, struck a concrete barrier, and died at the scene before an ambulance could arrive. Her husband survived and was hospitalized.

Earlier that same month, on October 2, 2017, a female driver collided with a truck. The driver was injured and hospitalized, but her thirteen-year-old passenger died as a result of the crash.

The Importance of a Valid Driver’s License for Women in Saudi Arabia

These incidents underscore the importance of proper driver training and licensing for all motorists. All drivers in Saudi Arabia — both men and women — are required to hold a valid driver’s license. For those who travel internationally, an international driving permit can be especially useful. It’s quite easy to issue such a driver’s license – you can do this right on our website.