The streets of Kabul, one of the world’s fastest growing cities, are increasingly blocked by cars and buses.
There are few road signs and many potholes and only about a quarter of Afghanistan’s useable roadway is paved.
Still, Afghans are flocking to the city’s driving schools to get their licence.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
At a driving school on a busy street of Kabul, the walls are covered with photos of traffic signs and engine parts as the instructor teaches his students the basics of car mechanics.
In the city’s private driving schools, students pay a $60 fee for a 45-day course, which includes oral and practical driving tests at the country’s Traffic Department.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
Some female students, including 21-year-old Kanaz pictured above during a driving lesson, complain of unwanted gazes and physical harassment on the cramped, crowded minibuses that are often the only method of urban public transport.
Of the seven female drivers at the training course, two said that while they would get their driving licenses, they never planned to drive because they believe the mainly conservative society was not yet ready to accept female drivers.
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. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
A speedometer is seen at a driving school in Kabul.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
An instructor (right) teaches women during a technical class.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
Tahmina talks to her instructor during a practical lesson.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
A student hold a book of road signs.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
A women attends a class.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
An instructor explains traffic signs.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
Afghan men attends a class at a driving school.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
An instructor (left) teaches a man how to drive.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
A teacher explains a car’s mechanics.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
A trainee looks at a speedometer.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
An instructor teaches a man how to drive.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
A school boy waits before crossing a street.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
A red traffic light counts down.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
Tahmina drives during a practical lesson.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
People travel in an overcrowded van.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
A traffic policeman directs vehicles on a busy road.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
An Afghan man takes an eye test before receiving a driving license at the traffic police department.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
Men attend a lesson before receiving a driving license at a traffic police department in Kabul.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
Afghan men wait as an official holds their test papers.
. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
A chart of student who completed their driving lessons is seen on a wall at a driving school.