Rupert Grint, 17, who plays Ron in Harry Potter, stars in ‘Driving Lessons’, to be shown at the Edinburgh Film Festival on 25 and 28 August.

Playing Ben in Driving Lessons is…
It’s nice to do something different. I’ve been doing the Harry Potter films for quite a long time. They take two years each. This has no special effects, no blue screen – it’s proper, real life. It’s good to be someone different. Ben’s a bit of a loner and a bit of a geek. And I got to do a bit of driving.

I took my driving test but…
I failed, the other day. I only failed on one thing, which was quite annoying. I didn’t look behind me on a three-point turn.

The most surprising thing that ever happened to me was…
Getting the part in Harry Potter. I just sent a letter in to Newsround. Then I got the audition. I had done a few school plays – I was a fish in Noah’s Ark.

If I weren’t talking to you right now I’d be…
Playing golf. All my friends and my dad play.

In Harry Potter…
I’m having a really good time. There’s a really nice atmosphere because we all know each other. It’s a family atmosphere.

I wish people would take more notice of…
Learner drivers. I’ve had some close calls. Because I’ve been learning I’ve been driving round with my dad – I get beeped quite a lot.

A phrase I use far too often is…
‘Wicked’ and ‘cool’.

A common misperception of me is…
People call me Ron. It’s quite close to my real name.

I’m not a politician but…
I’d make the speed limit bigger so I could go faster. My family are into motor sports – my dad used to be a rally driver. I quite like hot rods, classic cars like that.

I’m good at…
I can do cartoons and drawing. It’s one of the few subjects in my GCSE’s that I passed.

But I’m very bad at…
Dancing. In the film I had to have salsa lessons – I found that quite difficult.

The ideal night out is…
I like going to see bands. I’ve seen the Foo Fighters, the Strokes and Velvet Revolver. I went to the NME awards.

In moments of weakness I…
I’m pretty laid back.

The best age to be is…
I’m quite enjoying 17 to 18. I’m 18 on 24 August. You have more freedom and just get to do more.

[The Independent || 15 August 2006]