After months of being stranded in the countryside, Helen Flanagan is back on the road — and by the looks of it, she couldn’t be happier.
The former Coronation Street actress was spotted driving again on Friday, marking her return to the driver’s seat following a six-month ban that had left her juggling motherhood without reliable transport.
First Drive After Six-Month Ban
Helen, 34, was seen running errands near her home in Bolton, finally behind the wheel of her £66,000 Audi Q7 again.
She kept things low-key in a grey tracksuit, white trainers, and sunglasses resting on her slicked-back hair.
At one point, she stopped to fill up with petrol and grab a takeaway coffee, clearly enjoying the freedom she’s been missing.
It’s been a long wait for Helen, who was banned from driving earlier this year after a speeding case took a complicated turn in court.
What Led to the Ban in the First Place?
Back in January, Helen faced magistrates over two speeding offences on Merseyside — one for going 42mph in a 30mph zone and another for 51mph in a 40mph limit.
She already had six penalty points on her licence and, after failing to properly declare who was behind the wheel (she initially claimed it was her ex-boyfriend, footballer Robbie Talbot), the court added 12 more points — pushing her well over the 12-point threshold for a ban.
Despite a heartfelt plea explaining the challenges of life without a car, especially in her remote area, the court wasn’t convinced.
She was disqualified for six months.
Life Without a Car in the Middle of Nowhere
The driving ban hit Helen hard — not just practically, but emotionally too.
She lives in a rural part of Greater Manchester, and during the court hearing, she explained how even a quick trip to buy bread or milk is a 10-minute drive.
She said that without her car, she was really struggling to manage daily life and care for her three children — Matilda (9), Delilah (6), and Charlie (3) — especially with their father working away.
As a full-time mum and part-time influencer, Helen said her income fluctuates and that she couldn’t afford to regularly book taxis or hire a driver.
Social Media Frustration and ADHD Struggles
In a candid Instagram rant last month, Helen opened up about how frustrating it had been not being able to drive — especially when you live “in the middle of nowhere.”
She explained that her ADHD had made it difficult to keep up with the paperwork needed to reapply for her licence, which delayed things even further.
“I literally can’t tell you what a pain in the a*** not having [my licence] has been,” she said.
“We’re out of loo roll now and I can’t just pop to the shops. My friend has to bring me loo roll.”
Financial Woes and Public Misconceptions
Helen also made it clear in court that, despite the public’s assumptions, she’s not as financially comfortable as people might think.
She earned £70,000 last year, but told the court that most of it went straight to tax and VAT.
The remaining money wasn’t enough to cover everyday costs like Ubers to nursery — especially with three kids and limited work opportunities.
She stressed that while some might assume she can just hire help or book a driver, the reality is very different.
“That’s quite far from the case,” she admitted.
A Cautionary Tale for Celebrities and Everyday Drivers Alike
This isn’t just a celebrity headline — Helen’s story is a reminder of how losing your licence can impact every aspect of daily life, especially for single parents or those living in rural areas.
From struggling with school runs to affording basic essentials, the consequences go far beyond legal fines.
Now that she’s finally driving again, Helen seems determined to move forward — hopefully with fewer speeding tickets and fewer Instagram rants.