Emma Watson Banned From Driving After Speeding Incident Oxford

Emma Watson, the cherished actress who captivated audiences as Hermione Granger, has found herself in a real-life situation straight out of a movie—a six-month driving ban following a speeding incident in Oxford.

Now a PhD student, she was caught driving 38 mph in a 30 mph zone, which puts a spotlight on her already troubled driving history. And get this: her Harry Potter co-star, Zoë Wanamaker, faced the same penalty shortly after in the same courtroom.

Emma Watson’s Speeding Incident and Legal Consequences

Last July, Watson was caught on radar driving her blue Audi S3 at 38 mph in a 30 mph zone near Oxford University, where she’s currently studying creative writing. This offense raised her penalty points to 12, automatically triggering a six-month driving ban under UK law. She was fined £1,044 (around $1,400) but missed the court hearing, with her lawyer stating,

“She is in a position to pay the fine.”

This isn’t her first brush with the law—Watson had already racked up nine points from three previous offenses between 2023 and early 2024, which included getting her car towed for illegal parking. The court’s decision underscores the UK’s tough stance on repeat offenders, even for stars.

The Curious Case of Zoë Wanamaker’s Parallel Penalty

In a turn of events that would fit right into a Harry Potter subplot, Watson’s former co-star Zoë Wanamaker—who took on the role of Madam Hooch—received the same penalty just moments later in the same courtroom. Wanamaker, 76, was caught driving 46 mph in a 40 mph zone in Berkshire last August 29. Like Watson, she already had nine points on her license before this incident and was fined £1,044. Her lawyer, Duncan Jones, commented,

“She’s not seeking any special treatment.”

The coinciding rulings led to some lighthearted reactions online, with fans humorously suggesting the Harry Potter cast might want to switch to broomsticks instead of cars.

Watson’s Life Beyond the Wheel

Since her last film appearance in Little Women (2019), Watson has been focusing on her studies and activism. She’s diving into a PhD program at Oxford, joined the university’s rowing team as a coxswain, and even started a sustainable gin brand. In a 2023 interview with British Vogue, she shared her thoughts on taking a break from acting:

“I’m so glad I allowed things to be messy for a minute… the understanding I’ve gained, I wouldn’t trade for anything.”