Women will be able to drive in Saudi Arabia next June, according to a royal decree announced on state television on Tuesday, September 26.
BREAKING: Women CAN DRIVE in #Saudi Arabia Per Royal Decree https://t.co/T4uArxXeEZ
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) September 26, 2017
Saudi women have been restricted from driving under the kingdom’s laws based on its interpretation of Islam.
Saudi law currently forbids women from travel without a male relative as a “guardian.” It’s unclear whether the king’s decree will allow women to get a driver’s license without permission.
The gap between the announcement and the implementation will let the kingdom launch an infrastructure for women to learn how to drive or get drivers licenses. Police officers will also need to be trained on how to interact with women in this new capacity.