Emma Watson, best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, has been banned from driving in the United Kingdom for six months following a speeding violation. This added to her already accumulating penalty points.
The 35-year-old actress and Oxford University student was caught driving 38 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone in Oxford on July 31, 2024. This infraction caused her to receive three additional points on her license, bringing her total number of points to 12 — having this many points on your license results in an automatic six-month driving ban under the UK's "totting-up" rules.
Emma did not attend the five-minute hearing she was required to attend, which was held at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Her lawyer confirmed she was aware of the outcome and would be able to pay the fines associated with her lack of presence in court. The court ordered Watson to pay a total of £1,044, which includes a £660 fine, £264 in court costs, and a £120 victim surcharge.
This is not Emma's first brush with traffic violations; the previous nine points on her license contributed to the severity of this penalty. The actress is currently pursuing her PhD after receiving her masters degree in creative writing at Oxford and has stepped away from acting to focus on her education.
Ironically, actress Zoë Wanamaker — who appeared in the Harry Potter films as Madam Hooch, the flying instructor and Quidditch referee at Hogwarts — received a similar six-month driving ban and fine on the same day in the same court, also for exceeding the speed limit with nine prior points on her license as well.
Neither Emma nor her publicity team has made a public statement regarding the ban. ~Erin Grace
38mph in a 30? No way a cop would arrest for that in the US. The fine is over the top. Poor Emma! Unfair.