Laura The Founder of Blue Abaya Is The First Female European To Receive Her Driver’s License In Saudi
Laura Alho, the Finnish founder of Blue Abaya, a travel blog based in Riyadh is the first European in the Kingdom to receive her driver’s license.
The blogger took to social media to share her process of converting her international license to the Saudi one when employees at the General Directorate of Traffic in Riyadh mentioned the news.
It started with this post of the ‘June 24’ jacket to hype her up
Then she took the practical test
…taking the test is necessary for anyone with an international driver’s license.
And BOOM!
She and her friend both received their driver’s licenses.
Then she was told by the authorities that she was, indeed, the first European woman to receive her driver’s license
The blogger also took to Twitter to warn people not to believe those saying foreigners can’t attain the license
Got my Saudi driving license yesterday! Yay!
Don’t believe the people saying it’s not allowed for foreigners to drive here, it’s the same for women of all nationalities.
I’m working on a post to explain the… https://t.co/IfkyfnPKJ6
— Laura Alho (@blueabaya) June 7, 2018
Mabrook, Laura!
I’d like to express my thanks to Moroor traffic office in #Riyadh today for a job well done. The process of converting foreign license to #Saudi one and the driving test went smoothly-all very well organised. Everyone was friendly, supportive and smiling! #historyinthemaking #ksa
Laura Alho (via Twitter)
Ten women in the Kingdom have officially been granted driver’s licenses on Monday ahead of the lift of the ban. According to Arab News, the first batch of ten women were ones who had already obtained international licenses.
These women were just made to take a brief driving test and an eye exam prior to the issuance of the driver’s license at the General Directorate of Traffic in Riyadh.
Women will be able to drive from June 24
In just a few short weeks, any other woman who had registered for their driver’s licenses or would want to transfer their international ones- will be sorted. If you have an existing international driver’s license, you may submit them on this website.
Following submission, you will be assessed on your ability to drive via a practical test and BOOM, voila!
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