Former ‘Harry Potter‘ actress Emma Watson has received a six-month driving ban following a speeding incident in Oxford, England. The 35-year-old actress was caught driving at 38 mph in a 30 mph zone on July, 2024.
The incident was recorded by a speed camera, and Watson, who did not attend the hearing at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court, was ordered to pay a fine of $1,396. The court hearing lasted only five minutes, according to People.
Watson already had nine points on her driver’s license before this incident, which led to the driving ban. Her representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment about the situation.
Watson steppd back from acting to focus on education and business ventures
In recent years, the actress has moved away from the spotlight and has been pursuing other interests. Watson has been open about feeling ‘caged’ by her acting career and needing time to regain autonomy. She enrolled in a master’s program in creative writing at Oxford University in September 2024, adding to her previous education at Brown University, where she earned an English Literature degree in 2014.
Emma Watson has been banned from driving for 6 months due to speeding.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 16, 2025
The actress already had nine points on her license before the speeding incident, according to BBC. pic.twitter.com/mTrFqTfOYu
Speaking to British Vogue in December 2023, Watson expressed satisfaction with her decision to take a break from acting. This comes after previous retirement rumors that her representatives had to deny amid fan concerns about her future in Hollywood. She mentioned feeling more autonomous and having her own creative space, which she didn’t have before.
The actress has made only rare public appearances lately, including attending the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in Oakland, California, in February, and the Cannes Film Festival in May. Sources described her as being “very low-key” and “excited to be there” during the basketball game.
Watson, who gained worldwide fame for her role as Hermione Granger in the ‘Harry Potter’ film series from 2001 to 2011, has also ventured into other projects. She made her directorial debut with the Prada Paradoxe campaign in 2022 and launched a gin brand with her brother Alex in May 2023, showing her interests extend beyond the entertainment industry.
