Emma Watson is traded her keys for a commuter pass—at least for the next few months.
PEOPLE can confirm that the Harry Potter alum, , has been temporarily banned from driving following a speeding incident that took place nearly a year ago. On Wednesday, July , a U.K. court ordered the actress to stay off the road for six months.
The ban stems from an incident on July , , when a camera caught Watson traveling mph in a mph zone in Oxford, England. While mph over the limit might seem minor to some, it was enough to trigger a major legal headache for the star.
According to the BBC, Watson already had nine points on her driver’s license prior to this incident. In the U.K., accumulating or more points typically results in an automatic disqualification.
In addition to the six-month ban, Watson was ordered to pay a fine of £, (approximately $,) at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court. The actress did not attend the hearing, which reportedly lasted only five minutes.
Social media was quick to react to the news, with fans on X (formerly Twitter) making plenty of lighthearted wizarding world jokes. “I guess the Firebolt was in the shop,” one fan joked, while another quipped, “Even Hermione Granger can’t outrun a speed camera.”
Despite the viral driving drama, Watson has been keeping a remarkably low profile lately. The actress has famously taken a step back from the Hollywood spotlight since her last major role in ’s Little Women.
Instead of red carpets, Watson has been focused on her studies, enrolling in a master’s program in creative writing at Oxford University in September . She previously earned a degree in English Literature from Brown University in .
In a December interview with British Vogue, Watson opened up about her decision to step away from acting, saying she felt a new sense of “autonomy” and “sovereignty” by giving herself space to breathe.
“I’m so glad that I allowed things to be messy for a minute and to really allow myself to not know [what’s next],” she told the outlet.
While she’s been busy with her studies and her gin brand, Renais—which she launched with her brother Alex in —Watson does make the occasional rare appearance. She was spotted looking “very low-key” at the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in February and graced the Cannes Film Festival in May.
A rep for Watson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
For now, it looks like the star will be sticking to the passenger seat as she navigates her final year at Oxford.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.
Would you like me to look into the latest updates on Emma Watson’s creative writing projects or more details on her gin brand, Renais?
Unexpected Team-Up: Prince William and Emma Watson Unite for Change
Prince William had plenty to celebrate this weekend, but his latest public appearance quickly turned heads for a very different reason. After marking his 44th birthday and Father's Day with his family, the future king returned to royal duties—and made a surprisingly personal confession about the emotional toll of climate change.
William joined Hollywood stars Emma Watson and Benedict Cumberbatch at a United for Wildlife forum in London, an initiative he launched with the Royal Foundation in 2013. The organization works around the world to combat wildlife trafficking, environmental crime, and the destruction of endangered species.
But it was William's candid admission about his own fears that stole the spotlight.
The Prince of Wales revealed that climate change has caused him "sleepless nights," admitting he has struggled with anxiety about what the future could look like. Yet instead of allowing those fears to overwhelm him, William said seeing real progress through conservation efforts has helped keep his environmental anxiety under control.
He also delivered a powerful message to business leaders, urging them to become the kind of leaders they admired when they were children. With technology and innovation transforming the world at an incredible pace, William challenged CEOs to use their influence to create meaningful change.
The event launched London Climate Action Week, with more royal appearances expected, including the Earthshot Prize assembly.
Emma Watson also delivered a surprising revelation of her own. The Harry Potter star highlighted the fashion industry's enormous environmental impact, pointing out that it produces more emissions than aviation and ranks behind only oil among major polluting industries.
Watson, who is also pursuing a doctorate in philosophy at Oxford, shared a hilarious story about mistakenly believing paparazzi were following her. After spotting photographers with telephoto lenses, she arranged a distraction and escaped through another exit. The twist? They weren't photographing her at all. They were waiting to capture a red kite.
Meanwhile, Benedict Cumberbatch praised William as "a great guy" and urged businesses and individuals to recognize that they can still make a difference, even when global environmental challenges appear overwhelming.
With William, Watson, and Cumberbatch joining forces on the issue, the London forum delivered a clear message: the fight against environmental destruction is becoming impossible for the world's biggest names to ignore.
Be the first to comment on this article!