Noel Gallagher banned from driving despite never learning to drive
Oasis legend Noel Gallagher has been banned from driving, despite never learning to drive.
Despite not even having a license, after only having one driving lesson back in the golden era of Britpop in the 1990s, Gallagher has been banned from driving for six whole months today (6 September).
The 56-year-old Oasis co-founder failed to pass over information concerning the driver of his swish black Range Rover Autobiography two times now, and has now been taken off the road for half a year.
Gallagher was previously ordered to fork out a whopping £1,000 over a speeding ticket when the chauffeur-driven motor was caught speeding at 41mph on a 30mph part of the busy A40 in Edgware Road, West London, last October.
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The 'Wonderwall' hit-maker was previously landed with a pretty hefty fine after failing to identify who was driving his Range Rover above the speed limit.
Considering the Mancunian never actually took his driving test, he has been ordered to pay a court over £1,340 after his vehicle was caught a whole 11mph over the speed limit.
A court official confirmed via Sky News that the 'Wonderwall' hit-maker was made to pay £742 and a £536 victim surcharge, plus £110 in costs resulting in a steep total of just under two grand.
It was dealt with under the Single Justice Procedure - a process commonly used to deal with minor road traffic and TV licensing offences meaning Gallagher was not required to attend in person.
Today, Gallagher admitted two counts of failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court and has subsequently been banned from driving for six months after 12 further penalty points were added to the existing six he already had.
A letter was reportedly sent to the music icon's home back in January asking for the driver's identity within 28 days after the Range Rover was caught speeding, and a second one was sent out a month later regarding the same vehicle which was also was not responded to.
In a letter written to court, Gallagher said: "I did not personally receive the notice or the reminder and neither were brought to my attention by my staff.
"I have a team who assist me with my business and personal matters, which includes correspondence to my home address.
"I acknowledge my responsibility to safeguard against important correspondence not being replied to. Once my management team notified me of receipt of this letter, I identified my willingness to comply.
"I am content with the court to proceed in my absence. Please note, I am currently working abroad."
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 back in April of this year, Gallagher opened up about his history with driving and why he decided to give up on learning the skill after just a single lesson.
He told presenter Zoe Ball: "I have had one driving lesson in the 90s and I was driving round a housing estate in Slough and she [the instructor] said to me, 'if you just indicate and pull over here' - then I pulled over.
"She got out the car she said, 'I'll be back in a minute', she came out with her mum, she drove me to her house. Then the local comprehensive bell went and they all came out."
Gallagher added: "This is at the height of Oasis-mania and I was like never, never again."
According to the Evening Standard, the High Flying Birds frontman was contacted about the speeding offence in both October and December 2022 but, as police did not receive a response, he was subsequently found guilty of two charges of failing to give information to the police.
Gov.uk explains that Single Justice Procedure cases can handled remotely, with the official website stating: "If an individual or company has been charged with a minor criminal offence, the case may be decided by a magistrate without going to court."
It adds: "A magistrate will make a decision on your case without your say if you do not respond to your notice within 21 days. You could be found guilty or fined."
Topics: Cars, Celebrity, Crime, Driving, Noel Gallagher, UK News
Rhiannon Ingle