Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleBestselling author Lynda La Plante, 83, has been banned from driving for six months.She pleaded guilty to breaking the 20mph speed limit near her home in Kingston-upon-Thames five times between November 2025 and April 2026.La Plante told Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court that her vehicle was "essential for meeting criminals and sources," which she deemed "vital for research into her next works of fiction”, adding that a ban would prevent her from taking her dog to Roehampton for walks, a situation she claimed "would force her to stop writing altogether."However, magistrate Mandy Lamplough told La Plante she hadn’t done enough to prove that disqualification would cause her “exceptional hardship”. The magistrates imposed fines totalling £3,330 on the writer, and handed her a six-month ban as her points total rose to 24. She was also ordered to pay £130 costs and a £1,332 victim surcharge.In fullBestselling author Lynda La Plante says six-month driving ban could end her careerMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Author Lynda La Plante banned from driving for six months
Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleBestselling author Lynda La Plante, 83, has been banned from driving for six months.She pleaded guilty to breaking the 20mph speed limit near her home in Kingston-upon-Thames five times between November 2025 and April 2026.La Plante told Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court that her vehicle was "essential for meeting criminals and sources," which she deemed "vital for research into her next works of fiction”, adding that a ban would prevent her from taking her dog to Roehampton for walks, a situation she claimed "would force her to stop writing altogether."However, magistrate Mandy Lamplough told La Plante she hadn’t done enough to prove that disqualification would cause her “exceptional hardship”. The magistrates imposed fines totalling £3,330 on the writer, and handed her a six-month ban as her points total rose to 24. She was also ordered to pay £130 costs and a £1,332 victim surcharge.In fullBestselling author Lynda La Plante says six-month driving ban could end her careerMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
