Following last year’s landmark decision to lift the ban on women motorists in Saudi Arabia, as well as resulting amendments being made to traffic laws and related bylaws, the Kingdom continues to prepare the way for female drivers in the new year.
As part of the preparations, Riyadh-based Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) is calling for applications for women driving instructors. The world’s largest female-only university is inviting women across the Kingdom, both Saudi nationals and legal foreigners, to apply.
Speaking to Arab News, Amani Al-Hammad, the general supervisor for media management at the PNU, explained that registrations are now being accepted through the university’s website. Interested applicants should have a valid driver’s license, certified trainer’s permit, a copy of their national ID or valid residency card, a copy of a recent medical examination, their CV, proof of educational qualifications, and a second language certificate. Candidates must then pass an interview before being eligible for the position.
The university has established a driving academy on its campus to provide theoretical education and practical training. Last year, following the decision to rescind the driving ban on women motorists, PNU and King Abdul Aziz University were among the first institutions to announce plans to establish women's driving schools.
In addition to these schools, Saudi Arabia is working on setting up car maintenance training programs for women. According to Saudi Gazette, special centers will open to offer trained female staff to assist the Kingdom’s new women drivers.
Investment in these centers from both the private and public sectors is expected in the coming months, and will go towards “organizing courses in cooperation with global technical institutes to train women in car repair and maintenance, identifying a vehicle's main parts, identifying road and signal systems, and emergency maintenance.”
