Official government website of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
Qassim University President: Saudi women's role is important in the Kingdom's renaissance, and the decision for women to drive is an addition to their rights.
His Excellency Professor Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of Qassim University, valued the decision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz – may God protect him – yesterday, Tuesday, to implement the provisions of the traffic law and its executive regulations, including issuing driving licenses to males and females alike, while observing the Sharia controls stipulated by our true Islamic religion. The decree set several conditions that must be met to allow women in the Kingdom to drive cars. .
Al-Dawood emphasized that the decision was made to remove many obstacles that women faced, and their suffering in securing appropriate transportation, especially in light of the expansion of employing women in many government and private jobs.
His Excellency clarified that the role of Saudi women is increasing day by day in participating in the Kingdom's renaissance and development in all social, economic, and scientific fields, as the number of girls enrolled in various universities has increased significantly in the past few years, and they have competed with men in several scientific and practical fields, and even surpassed them, which confirms the necessity of providing them with full opportunities for further participation in building the future of our dear homeland.
He explained that the decision to grant women the right to drive will have a positive economic and social impact on society, and that the supreme decision and the expected positive outcomes from allowing them to do so are in accordance with the application and adherence to the necessary Sharia controls. It is not hidden from anyone the observed negatives in the abundance of private drivers in the Kingdom, and the suffering of women in their commutes between home and work and their access to hospitals and universities.
He added that the current social culture and the level of awareness and understanding of women's rights among its members, thanks to the rising level of education and openness to other Islamic societies, have granted this decision social acceptance, ensuring, with God's success, that there will be no problems in its implementation. This is especially true with the directive of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz – may God protect him – to form a supreme committee from the Ministries of Interior, Finance, and Labor and Social Development to study and put in place the necessary arrangements for the implementation of the decision in accordance with approved Sharia and regulatory controls.
Dr. Al Dowed concluded his statement by asking God for success and guidance for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, in a manner that achieves the best interests of the country and society, in accordance with the approach of this blessed state based on the rulings of the benevolent Islamic Sharia.
