Saudi Arabia has issued the first driving licences to women, with the ban on female drivers to be lifted on 24 June.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Information, 10 licences have already been issued to women ahead of the removal of the ban. The 10 women traded in foreign driving licences for Saudi permits at departments of traffic across the kingdom, the ministry announced.

“Expectations are that next week an additional 2,000 women will join the ranks of licenced drivers in the kingdom,” the ministry revealed in the statement.

The lifting of the fan on female drivers is one of a number of social reforms being implemented by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Other reforms in recent months include the lifting of the ban on cinemas and allowing women to attend sporting events.