Emma Watson Banned From Driving for Six Months After Speeding Offenses

The acclaimed British actress Emma Watson, widely known for her role as the intelligent Hermione Granger in the "Harry Potter" film series, has found herself on the wrong side of the law, resulting in a six-month driving disqualification. The ruling, handed down by High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, stems from a series of accumulated speeding offenses, culminating in a recent incident where she was caught driving over the limit in Oxford. This temporary ban marks a rare public misstep for the 35-year-old star, who typically maintains a low profile and is celebrated for her advocacy work and academic pursuits.
The specific offense that triggered the ban occurred in July of last year (2024), when Watson was clocked driving her blue Audi at 38 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone on Banbury Road in Oxford. While this might seem like a minor infraction, the court heard that Watson already had nine penalty points on her license prior to this incident. Under UK law, accumulating 12 or more penalty points within a three-year period typically results in an automatic driving disqualification, usually for a period of six months. The addition of three points for this latest speeding offense pushed her total to the critical threshold of 12 points, thus triggering the automatic ban.
Watson, who is currently a student pursuing a master's degree in creative writing at the University of Oxford, did not attend the brief five-minute hearing. She had, however, previously pleaded guilty to the offense via mail. Her lawyer, Mark Haslam, represented her in court and informed the magistrates that while his client was a student, "she is in a position to pay the fine." The court subsequently ordered her to pay a total of £1,044, which includes the fine and associated court costs.
This isn't the first time Emma Watson has had a run-in with driving-related issues. Reports indicate that the July 2024 speeding incident was, in fact, her fourth driving offense in less than two years. Previous offenses that contributed to her penalty points include incidents in October 2023, November 2023, and January 2024. Furthermore, her blue Audi, the same vehicle involved in the recent speeding incident, reportedly had to be towed in February 2024 after it was illegally parked, blocking a driveway and trapping other vehicles for several hours while she was at a pub with her mother.
The news of Watson's driving ban has generated considerable public interest, given her global recognition and often-unblemished public image. While many find the accumulation of points surprising for someone who embodies Hermione Granger's meticulous nature, it serves as a reminder that even celebrities are subject to traffic laws and the penalties associated with breaking them. The incident has also sparked a curious coincidence: in a separate hearing at the very same High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on the same day, another "Harry Potter" star, Zoë Wanamaker, who played Madam Hooch in the first film, also received a six-month driving ban for a speeding offense. Wanamaker, 76, was caught driving 46 mph in a 40 mph zone on the M4 motorway in Berkshire in August of last year (2024) and also had nine penalty points on her license, leading to an identical ban and fine.
For Emma Watson, who has largely stepped back from major film roles in recent years to focus on her education and activism, this driving ban will undoubtedly present some practical inconveniences. Her current pursuit of a master's degree at Oxford University suggests a dedication to her academic endeavors, and the loss of her driving privileges may impact her daily routine. However, her legal representation assured the court of her financial capacity to handle the fine, and it is unlikely to significantly hinder her broader career or personal life in the long term.
As the six-month disqualification takes effect, Emma Watson will have to rely on alternative modes of transportation, a scenario that many in the public will find a touch ironic for an actress who once navigated magical carriages and flew on broomsticks in her most iconic role. Nevertheless, the incident serves as a public lesson that even the most celebrated figures are not immune to the consequences of accumulating points on their driving record, regardless of their star power.
Source@BBC