Emma Watson set to return to roads as driving ban expires
Emma Watson Reflects on Life Without the Spotlight
Harry Potter star Emma Watson is set to return to the roads with her driving ban expiring soon.
The Hollywood star, who played Hermione Granger in all eight Harry Potter movies, grew up in the city after being born in Paris.
Having taken an indefinite leave from acting in recent years, she has instead been focused on pursuing her academic goals at Oxford University.
Ms. Watson opted to study a Master’s degree in creative writing in September 2023 before it was announced in February that she had switched to a DPhil.
Whilst studying at Oxford, the 35-year-old admitted speeding on Banbury Road after she was caught at 38mph in a 30mph zone on July 31, 2024.
She had been driving her £30,000 Audi that had previously been towed away by the police at the time.
The Hollywood star was caught by an automatic camera, High Wycombe Magistrates' Court heard last summer.
The actress did not attend the hearing but was represented in court by Mark Haslam, who said his client "fully understands her position and will accept her punishment".
This took place half a year ago, meaning that Ms. Watson's temporary speeding ban will expire this month.
She will not have to retake a driving test after the ban, but she will have to apply for her license to be reinstated with the DVLA and pay a fee.
For many public figures, even minor legal matters quickly become public discussion. In Ms. Watson’s case, the incident made headlines across the UK and abroad, drawing attention not only to the offence itself but also to how celebrities are often held under a far brighter spotlight than most people. A routine speeding violation for one person can turn into international news for another, regardless of the circumstances or the scale of the mistake.
Ms. Watson, who had nine points on her licence before the speeding incident occurred, spoke about the incident on Jay Shetty's On Purpose podcast.
“I was getting phone calls, like it’s on the BBC," she said.
"It’s on international, worldwide news. I was like, my shame is everywhere."
“When you work on movies, I don’t know if people know this, but they literally will not insure you to drive yourself to work. I’ve asked so many times."
“You have to be driven; it’s not a choice. Especially because they need you there, down to the minute, basically depending on what they have going on."
Her comments offered a rare look into the everyday restrictions that come with life on major film sets. While audiences often imagine stars as enjoying total freedom, Ms Watson explained that practical rules and insurance limits remove many simple choices, including the ability to drive oneself. This sudden shift from being chauffeured for years to managing daily travel alone became a learning curve once she returned to academic life.
“So I went from basically only driving myself on weekends or during a holiday, to then, when I became a student, driving myself all the time, and I did not have the experience or skills clearly, which I now will and do."
“It’s been a discovery and a journey that’s been humbling because on a movie set, I’m able to do all of these like extremely complex things, stunt, sing, dance, like do this thing, do that, whatever. And I’m like, ‘Yep, don’t worry about it, guys’."
The contrast she describes reflects a broader reality many people face when shifting from one highly structured environment into ordinary routines. Success in one field does not always prepare someone for the habits and discipline required in everyday life. For Ms. Watson, returning to education meant not only academic challenges but also rebuilding practical skills that had not been part of her daily world for years.
“And then I get home, and I’m like, ‘OK, Emma, you seem unable to remember your keys.
"You seem unable to keep yourself at 30mph in a 30mph speed limit. Like you don’t seem able to do some pretty basic life things’.
“It’s been humbling.”
As her ban comes to an end, Ms. Watson’s experience stands as a reminder that public figures are not immune to ordinary mistakes. While the episode brought discomfort and unwanted attention, she has spoken openly about learning from it. With her academic path continuing at Oxford and her driving privileges soon restored, the actress appears focused on growth rather than past errors, showing that accountability and reflection remain just as important off screen as they are in the spotlight.
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Dena Falken Esq
Dena Falken Esq is renowned in the legal community as the Founder and CEO of Legal-Ease International, where she has made significant contributions to enhancing legal communication and proficiency worldwide.
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