Emma Watson Banned from Driving After Speeding in Oxford

Looks like Emma Watson is trading her wand for a bus pass. The Harry Potter star has been slapped with a six-month driving ban after being caught doing 38mph in a 30mph zone in Oxford.

According to High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court, the incident occurred on July 31, 2023, while Watson was behind the wheel of her blue Audi. The twist? She already had nine points on her license, making this her fourth offense. That’s enough for an automatic disqualification.

Though she didn’t attend the brief five-minute hearing, her lawyer, Mark Haslam, confirmed that the 35-year-old actress now pursuing a master’s in creative writing at Oxford University was in a position to pay the £1,044 fine.

Fans may recall that Watson hasn’t appeared on-screen since her role in 2019’s Little Women, but she recently launched a sustainable gin brand with her brother in 2023.

Speeding Sorcery in Court? Not Quite.

Emma wasn’t the only Hogwarts alum in trouble that day. Zoe Wanamaker, who played Madam Hooch, also faced the music. She was fined the same amount—£1,044—for driving 46mph in a 40mph zone on the M4 near Newbury.

Like Watson, Wanamaker had accumulated nine points prior and received three more, resulting in a six-month driving ban. Her lawyer stressed she wasn’t asking for special treatment, and the judge agreed.

The Judge’s Verdict

District Judge Arvind Sharma ruled both actresses disqualified due to accumulated points.

Meanwhile, the wizarding world continues to expand. A new HBO Harry Potter series is in the works, with Arabella Stanton stepping into Watson’s iconic role as Hermione, alongside a new trio of leads. The series is expected to roll out in 2026 or 2027.