Some women uncomfortable being alone in car with male instructor after dark
While men are required to pass a night driving test before obtaining a driving license in Dubai, women are exempt from this rule.
Earlier this year, the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) implemented a new driving exam curriculum.
"The night driving test is meant to test the ability of new drivers to drive in the dark, which is different from driving during the day," explains Ahmad Hashim Behroozian, CEO of the RTA Licensing Agency, which is responsible for the unified tests of Dubai's driving schools.
"However, the implementation has led to some problems, and right now we are looking at ways to solve these problems," Ahmad explains.
"For some women, driving a car after daylight hours in the presence of a male instructor is problematic," Ahmad explains.
"Therefore, we have decided that only male driving students need to pass this test.
"For female students, we are looking at other options. But at the time being, females are exempt from this test."
Drivers generally experience driving during evening hours as a different experience, which needs additional knowledge.
"The first time I drove during the evening I did not know which lights to use.
"I did not know whether to use the high beam lights or the low beam lights. I had to figure this out myself," says S. Kumar.
"We do not want driving students to experience new situations for the first time without the presence of a driving instructor," explains Ahmad.
It is an essential part of the curriculum.
But, understanding goes out to the particular needs of the students.
"Especially women from this region are not comfortable with the idea, and we respect these feelings," says Ahmad.
Fatima H., a Syrian woman living in Dubai is happy with the understanding of RTA.
"My husband would not feel comfortable with me sitting in a car with an unrelated man during driving classes, neither do I.
"It is not that I am scared, but it is something that I am not used to, so it makes me uncomfortable."
Other women indicated that it would not be a problem for them.
"I would not mind these classes, and I think it would be beneficial.
"After I obtained my license, I did feel a little anxious driving in the evening. But, I felt the same anxiety when I first drove a car during the day without an instructor. These are things you get used to very easily," says Susheeta Kameer.
© Emirates 24|7 2012
