Emma Watson Banned from Driving After Multiple Speeding Offences
Toha Tech
4 min read
Emma Watson Banned from Driving After Multiple Speeding Offences
Hollywood Star Emma Watson Receives Driving Ban After Accumulating 12 Penalty Points
Emma Watson, best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, has been disqualified from driving for six months after repeatedly breaking traffic laws. The 35-year-old actress was caught driving at 38mph in a 30mph zone, marking her fourth speeding offence in just under two years.
High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court ruled that Watson’s latest offence added three more points to her driving licence, bringing the total to 12, meeting the UK’s automatic disqualification threshold. This triggered a mandatory six-month driving ban.
Speeding Violation in Oxford While Pursuing a Doctorate
The incident occurred in Oxford, where Watson is currently studying for a doctorate at Oxford University. She was driving her £30,000 Audi S3 when she was clocked speeding on a restricted road. The speeding incident was recorded by a traffic enforcement camera and came after earlier violations in October and November 2023, as well as January 2024. As a result, Watson was fined a total of £1,044, which included:
- £660 fine for her guilty plea
- £264 victim surcharge
- £120 in court costs
All fines must be paid within 28 days.
Previous Driving Trouble: Car Towed for Illegal Parking
Earlier this year, Watson found herself in further motoring trouble. In February 2024, her Audi was towed after she parked it illegally outside the Rose and Crown pub in Stratford-upon-Avon. The vehicle blocked access to a car park, trapping another motorist’s car for over three hours.
Despite returning to the scene during the towing process, she was unable to prevent it and was fined £192 for the offence.
Zoë Wanamaker Also Handed Six-Month Driving Ban
Emma Watson wasn’t the only Harry Potter star to face consequences in court that day. Zoë Wanamaker, known for her role as Madam Hooch, was likewise issued a driving ban during the same court hearing. The 76-year-old actress was caught doing 46mph in a 40mph zone on the M4 near her home in Wiltshire.
Wanamaker already had nine points on her license from prior incidents on June 26, 2023, December 11, 2023, and July 1, 2024. The most recent offence brought her total to 12, resulting in an automatic six-month driving ban. Like Watson, she received a fine of £1,044, reduced due to her early guilty plea.
Judge Applies Equal Sentencing for Both Offenders
District Judge Arvind Sharma presided over both cases and issued the same penalties. Each actress received:
- Three additional penalty points
- A Band A fine of £660
- A £264 victim surcharge
- £120 in court costs
All payments must be made in full within 28 days.
Wanamaker’s legal representative, Duncan Jones, confirmed she would not seek leniency and accepted the court’s decision without contest.
Emma Watson’s New Chapter: Academia Over Acting
In recent years, Emma Watson has shifted her focus from the film industry to academic and personal pursuits. After a successful acting career that includes roles in Beauty and the Beast and Little Women, she is now completing a PhD at Oxford University.
Outside her academic responsibilities, she is involved in the university’s rowing community, serving as the coxswain for the New College women’s third team. She is also romantically linked to fellow Oxford student Kieran Brown, who recently earned his doctorate.
An Advocate for Human Rights and Social Equality
Watson continues to attract public attention through her commitment to activism and social advocacy. She’s known for championing gender equality, sustainability, and LGBTQ+ rights. Her vocal support for transgender individuals sparked attention when she posted:
“Trans individuals have the right to be recognized as they identify and should be able to live authentically without facing constant doubt or denial of their identity.”
This was seen by many as a direct response to controversial comments by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, and it solidified Watson’s reputation as a progressive voice in the entertainment and academic worlds.
Celebrity Accountability: A Lesson in Responsibility
Watson’s repeated traffic offences and resulting driving ban serve as a reminder that fame does not exempt individuals from the law. The same rules apply to everyone, whether an ordinary citizen or a world-renowned actress. Her case, along with Wanamaker’s, illustrates the consequences of repeated violations and the importance of road safety for all.
With the public looking up to high-profile figures, these incidents underscore the responsibility celebrities have in setting a positive example. Repeated offences, especially involving road safety, can tarnish reputations and raise questions about personal accountability.
Legal Consequences for All, Fame or Not
Both Emma Watson and Zoë Wanamaker now face six-month driving bans and financial penalties for their traffic violations. While their careers have made them household names, the courtroom treated them as any other citizen, reinforcing the idea that legal standards are universal.
Watson’s future may be more focused on academic achievements and activism than red carpets, but her driving ban places her personal choices under public scrutiny. These cases highlight that no one—regardless of fame—is above the law, and that individual responsibility matters as much behind the wheel as it does in the spotlight.
About the Author
