Emma Watson, the beloved actress famed for her role as the studious Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” franchise, has found herself in a real-life bind far removed from the magic of Hogwarts. The 35-year-old star has been banned from driving for six months after accumulating too many penalty points on her license, culminating in a speeding offense caught by a camera last year.
The verdict was handed down at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, where Watson was also ordered to pay a fine of £1,044 (approximately $1,396 USD). The actress was not present at the short, five-minute hearing, with her legal representative confirming to the court that she “fully understands her position and will accept her punishment.”
The incident that sealed her fate occurred on July 31, 2024, when Watson was caught driving her Audi S3 at 38 mph in a 30 mph zone on Banbury Road in Oxford. While a single speeding ticket might typically result in a fine and a few points, court records revealed that Watson already had nine points on her license from three previous offences occurring between October 2023 and January 2024. The latest infraction added three more points, bringing her total to 12 – the threshold for an automatic driving disqualification under UK law.
For fans, the news presents a stark contrast to her on-screen persona as the rule-abiding, diligent Hermione. However, it’s a common reality for many drivers in the UK, where accumulating 12 points within a three-year period triggers a driving ban.
Watson, who has largely stepped back from acting in recent years to pursue a Master’s degree in creative writing at the University of Oxford, has maintained a relatively low public profile. Her last major film role was in 2019’s “Little Women.”
The driving ban comes after another minor incident in February 2024, when her Audi S3 was reportedly towed in Stratford-upon-Avon for being illegally parked and blocking a driveway. Watson humorously referenced the event on social media at the time, joking about still searching for parking.
In a curious twist of fate, it was also revealed that another “Harry Potter” alumna, Zoe Wanamaker, who played Madame Hooch in the first film, received an identical six-month driving ban on the very same day at the same court for a separate speeding offense.
For the next half-year, Emma Watson will likely rely on alternative transportation as she navigates her life and studies in Oxford. The incident serves as a public reminder that even global celebrities are not exempt from traffic laws, proving that sometimes, even magic can’t get you out of a speeding ticket.