Dawn French banned from driving for fourth speeding offence

The 68-year-old was caught speeding in Plymouth on June 11, 2025, which was her fourth speeding offence.

It has been reported that she was driving at 36mph in a 30mph zone on Mannamead Road.

French already had nine points on her licence, and the latest offence brought her total to 12, resulting in an automatic disqualification.

Dawn French disqualified from driving

Magistrates at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court endorsed her licence with three penalty points and handed her a £600 fine, as reported by The Sun.

She was also ordered to pay a £240 victim surcharge and £90 in court costs.

Her solicitor, Chris Spencer, said: “It’s a misjudgement on her part for which she has already pleaded guilty online.

“She expresses her remorse.”

District Judge Stuart Smith told the court the offence fell into the lowest subcategory of speeding guidelines and that the disqualification was a result of reaching the 12-point threshold.

He said: “It’s a matter which falls into the lowest subcategory of the speeding guidelines with a fine in Band A and three penalty points.

“Three penalty points added to the nine therefore triggers the disqualification provision.”

French did not attend the hearing but pleaded guilty online.

French opened up about the incident on the On Purpose podcast with Jay Shetty and said: “I was getting phone calls, like it’s on the BBC. It’s on international, worldwide news.

“I was like, my shame is everywhere.”

“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.”

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French is best known for her role as Geraldine Granger in the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley and for her long-running comedy partnership with Jennifer Saunders in French and Saunders.

She has been nominated for a range of awards throughout her career including several BAFTAs, National Television Awards, and British Comedy Awards. 

Do you think the driving ban is fair? Let us know in the comments.