All I did was ask for rights. I didn't attack anyone. I didn't harass anyone. I didn't oppose the system or the country or the authority. All I said is, 'Why can't I drive?'

She drove with two women passengers in Ar Rass and was detained by traffic police in the presence of the CPVPV. Associated Press said that Saudi authorities "cracked down harder than usual on al-Sharif after seeing her case become a rallying call for youths anxious for change" in the context of the Arab Spring. Al-Ajlan stated that the journalists should "put the question" to members of the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Sharif was detained and released on 21 May and rearrested the following day. On 30 May al-Sharif was released on bail on the conditions of returning for questioning if requested not driving and not talking to the media. The video was posted on YouTube and Facebook.