Comedian Dawn French has been banned from driving for six months after accumulating her fourth speeding offense in three years, resulting in 12 points on her license.
The 68-year-old was caught driving her Mini Clubman Cooper S Sport at 36 mph in a 30 mph zone in Plymouth, Devon, on June 11 last year. At the time of the offense, French already had nine penalty points on her license. Plymouth Magistrates' Court heard that French had pleaded guilty online and expressed remorse for the offense through her solicitor, Chris Spencer.
District Judge Stuart Smith imposed the six-month ban, stating that the offense fell into the lowest subcategory of speeding guidelines. The judge noted that the addition of three penalty points to her existing nine triggered the disqualification.
French was also ordered to pay a £600 fine, a £240 victim surcharge, and £90 in costs, as the court was informed that she earns over £2,000 a week. The deadline for payment was extended to 21 days.
This latest incident marks the fourth speeding offense for French in three years. Previous offenses occurred in June 2025, July 2024, and June 2023. French, known for her roles in "The Vicar of Dibley" and her comedy partnership with Jennifer Saunders, previously joked about her driving abilities but admitted in a 2016 interview to receiving penalty points on the same night in Devon and Somerset for speeding through roadworks.
