Game of Thrones Star Avoids Driving Ban Over Speeding, Citing American Wife’s Lack of Licence

A Game of Thrones actor will continue to drive with penalty points on his licence after a magistrates’ court decided he should not be disqualified despite two speeding offences. Harry Lloyd, 41, admitted to driving at speeds above the limit on two occasions on the same busy road in southwest London, and the bench took into account personal circumstances involving his family and the medical needs of his children.

Lloyd was caught speeding along the A205 in Clapham on November 28 last year, first at 24 mph in a 20 mph zone, and later that evening at 25 mph on the same stretch near Clapham Common, according to prosecutors. He appeared at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to two counts of speeding in his 11-year-old BMW 3 Series. The court heard that his wife is American and does not hold a UK driving licence, a factor Lloyd said influenced his decision to drive that day. He told the court that Thanksgiving had just passed and his one-year-old son was in hospital, adding that his family has multiple medical appointments to attend for both children.

There would be a lot of pressure on my wife. She is American and does not have a UK licence, Lloyd said, describing the circumstances surrounding the day he was driving.

There was little dispute about the speeds or the locations. Prosecutor Laura-Ann Harding noted the two separate incidents on the same arterial route, underscoring the repeated nature of the offences within a single evening. Lloyd explained that the hospital visits were about 20 to 30 minutes away and that, in that moment, he was trying to balance his family’s needs with practical transport options. “There are various appointments that both my children need to go to for medical appointments in hospitals,” he said, adding that taxi travel would be a fallback option in such circumstances. He also cited his daughter’s routine as a factor: “My daughter also has appointments she needs to go to in Wandsworth. Going in the car is a nice and familiar routine for her. It is comfortable for her and after school, that is the best way to go to an appointment with her. She is seven, and my boy is now two.”

Magistrate Anna Troiano noted that Lloyd already had nine points on his licence from previous speeding offences, which limited the court’s discretion. After considering Lloyd’s account of his son’s illness and the family’s medical needs, Troiano determined that a disqualification would not be appropriate in this case, but that Lloyd would carry 15 penalty points. “Having taken into account everything you have said about your son and his circumstances, as well as your daughter, the bench has decided we are not going to disqualify you,” she said. “However this means you will be driving with 15 penalty points on your licence. Any step in the wrong direction, or any more speeding at the smallest offence will take you into automatic disqualification because you will not be able to use the same reason again in court. You will have to be really careful.” Lloyd accepted the decision, replying, “I will be very very careful.”

In addition to the penalty points, he was fined £384 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154 along with costs of £130, bringing the total to £668. Lloyd, a London-born actor, has a varied screen and stage career beyond his most famous role as Viserys Targaryen, the exiled claimant to the Iron Throne in the first season of HBO’s Game of Thrones. His body of work includes the BBC comedy Taking The Flak, and the TV adaptation Great Expectations, where he played Herbert Pocket. He has also appeared in the BBC film The Hollow Crown: Henry IV and performed on stage as Ferdinand, The Duke of Calabria, in The Duchess of Malfi at the Old Vic in London.

The case highlights the pressures that public figures with families can face when balancing demanding professional commitments with daily transport needs, especially when primary caregivers hold licenses from different countries. While Lloyd’s case did not result in a ban, the court’s decision reinforces the principle that repeat speeding offences can lead to automatic disqualification, regardless of mitigating circumstances. The legal process continues to weigh factors such as the driver’s personal responsibilities, the availability of alternatives like taxis, and the potential impact on dependents who require regular medical care.

For Lloyd, the ruling preserves his ability to drive while underscoring the penalties that accompany any future lapse in compliance with the speed limits on a road that has long been a busy artery through southwest London. The decision also serves as a reminder to motorists that personal emergencies do not automatically shield drivers from the consequences of speeding, even when family health is at stake. As authorities continue to enforce traffic laws, families with complex medical schedules may seek guidance from local services on safe travel options that minimize risk while ensuring timely access to care.