Saudi women are in the driver's seat for the first time in their country and steering¹ their way through busy city streets just minutes after the world's last remaining ban on women driving was lifted on Sunday.

 

世界上最后一个国家的女性禁驾周天刚解除，沙特女性第一次在国内坐上驾驶位，在繁忙的城市街道上行驶。
 

 

It's a euphoric and historic² moment for women who have had to rely on their husbands, fathers, brothers and drivers to run basic errands³, get to work, visit friends or even drop kids off at school. The ban had relegated⁴ women to the backseat, restricting when and how they move around.

 

But after midnight Sunday, Saudi women finally joined women around the world in being able to get behind the wheel of a car and simply drive.

 

"I'm speechless. I'm so excited it's actually happening," said Hessah al-Ajaji, who drove her family's Lexus down the capital's busy Tahlia Street after midnight.

 

Al-Ajaji had a U.S. driver's license⁵ before obtaining a Saudi one and appeared comfortable at the wheel as she pulled up and parked. As for the male drivers on the road, "they were really supportive and cheering and smiling," she said.

 

In a few hours, she says she'll drive herself to work for the first time in Saudi Arabia.

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