Richard Hammond Fined for Speeding in Porsche and Bentley 2026

Richard Hammond, former Top Gear host, has been fined £999 after being caught speeding twice in three weeks while driving his luxury cars. The 56-year-old was driving a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo when he broke the speed limit on December 2, and then was caught again 20 days later in a Bentley Continental GT. West Mercia police prosecuted Hammond using speed camera images from Herefordshire, leading to a court appearance at Telford magistrates court.

Details of the Speeding Offenses

On December 2, Hammond was clocked at 68 mph in a 50 mph zone on the A40 in Pencraig, Herefordshire. Just 20 days later, on December 22, his Bentley was recorded at 82 mph in a 70 mph limit on the A50 Rudhall Overbridge. Both incidents were captured by police handheld speed cameras.

Hammond, nicknamed “The Hamster” by co-stars Jeremy Clarkson and James May, pleaded guilty through his lawyers. He received seven penalty points on his license and was ordered to pay a total of £1,771, comprising two fines of £333 and £666, plus £240 in costs and £532 in victim surcharges.

Comparison of the Two Incidents

Legal and Procedural Challenges

Police sent speeding tickets to a Grade II* listed Herefordshire castle Hammond bought in 2012 and a £1m farm estate near Hereford, but both were returned marked “addressee gone away”. Officers eventually tracked him down to his £2m mansion near Abergavenny in Wales, where more than 30 vehicles are registered.

This is not the first time Hammond has faced driving penalties. In 2006, he nearly died in a 320 mph jet car crash while filming Top Gear. In 2013, he and Clarkson received a three-month driving ban in France after being caught speeding during a show episode.

Key Takeaways

• Richard Hammond fined £999 for two speeding offenses in luxury cars.
• Speeds: 68 mph in a 50 mph zone (Porsche) and 82 mph in a 70 mph zone (Bentley).
• Total financial penalty: £1,771 including fines, costs, and surcharges.
• Seven penalty points added to his license.
• Hammond’s history includes a near-fatal crash and past driving bans.

FAQ

This case highlights the legal consequences of speeding for celebrities and the challenges police face in serving legal documents to high-profile individuals with multiple properties. For more celebrity news and driving-related stories, stay tuned to our blog.