Saudi Arabia allows women to drive taxis

Saudi Arabia allows women to drive taxis

RIYADH - Saudi Arabia has allowed women to take up the job of taxi drivers, in an effort to become economically independent.

This comes less than four years after the government lifted the ban on female drivers in September 2017. The Saudi General Directorate of Traffic said in a statement that women could apply for a "normal taxi license" at any 18 driving school, adding that the license fee was SR200 ($ 53), Arab News quoted the department as saying.

This move was highly commended by the women of the state. Artist Latifah Al-Shalhoub told the book that he supports the development.

“As a woman, I have always had a problem with this topic. I have never felt comfortable riding alone in a taxi with a male driver. At least with Uber and Careem you get information about the driver before you enter, ”he said.

“Most of the taxi drivers in the world are men, but you see women drivers in other countries. It is definitely easier to ride with a female driver than with a male driver. ”