Okaz newspaper

I examined my driving license that was issued in May 1999 from Abu Dhabi and that was renewed in 2009. I realized it would expire in May 2019.

I remember the day I went to renew it at the Traffic Department in Abu Dhabi. My friend accompanied me, saying, “Hopefully, next time you’ll be renewing it in Saudi Arabia!”

My memories flashed back to the first time I drove and of my father giving me driving lessons. This time I’m not writing about women but about fathers who have daughters.

I will never forget my father who was supportive and patient in teaching me how to drive, sitting next to me while I followed his instructions. I always remember the first time I drove on my own after he felt confident that I could drive alone. He asked me to drive his new car because of its large size and durability in case I was involved in an accident!

He then told me to drive from Abu Dhabi to Al-Ain with him by my side. That lesson was about how to drive uphill and downhill as we reached a mountain. Despite my fear of heights, he reassured me saying: “A driver never fears.”

Some of our afternoon lessons were heading to Bani Yas to learn how to drive on longer roads.

I will never forget all the experiences my father offered me that allowed me to gain confidence in driving both small and large cars.

I remembered all these memories when I heard a woman talking about her experience of secretly learning how to drive due to her father’s refusal to let her get a driver’s license.

I would have advised that woman’s father by saying: “Don’t trust another person to teach your daughter how to drive. Instead, be the one to hand over the wheel to her. She will never forget it and will one day she will proudly tell her children of the time that her father taught her how to drive.”

Now in Saudi Arabia, there is a chance for all fathers and brothers to teach their daughters and sisters with love ... and for free!