On this day in auto history – April 4th

Sun 4th Apr 2021

It was on this day in 1934 that a patent was originally recorded for the first ‘cat’s eye’ road marker by Yorkshireman Percy Shaw.

Halifax-born Shaw, who had a background in repairing machine tools, formed a new company - Reflecting Roadstuds Ltd - to manufacture his invention the following year.

Though sales were initially slow, approval from the Ministry of Transport eventually gave a huge boost to production.

By the 1950’s, Shaw was exporting roadstuds all over the world from his Halifax base and, such was the success of the invention, he was awarded an OBE in 1965.

Shaw's eccentric nature was later revealed through an ITV documentary made by acclaimed TV personality Alan Whicker in 1968. He passed away eight years later at the age of 86.

The tax values are provided by a third-party supplier and while every effort is made to ensure their accuracy please double check with your advisor. If the car was registered after 31/03/2017 then it is subject to new tax rules. All prices we display are for the cars second tax payment onwards. You can find out information on the cars first tax payment here

Cars registered on or after 1 April 2017

Rates for second tax payment onwards

Fuel type	Single 12 month payment	Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit	Total of 12 monthly payments by Direct Debit	Single 6 month payment	Single 6 month payment by Direct Debit
Petrol or diesel	£165	£165	£173.25	£90.75	£86.63
Electric	£0	N/A	N/A	£0	N/A
Alternative	£155	£155	£162.75	£85.25	£81.38

Alternative fuel vehicles include hybrids, bioethanol and liquid petroleum gas.

Vehicles with a list price of more than £40,000

You have to pay an extra £355 a year if you have a car with a ‘list price’ (the published price before any discounts) of more than £40,000. You do not have to pay this if you have a zero emission vehicle.

You only have to pay this rate for 5 years (from the second time the vehicle is taxed).

Check the list price with your dealer so you know how much vehicle tax you’ll have to pay.

Fuel type	Single 12 month payment	Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit	Total of 12 monthly payments by Direct Debit	Single 6 month payment	Single 6 month payment by Direct Debit
Petrol or diesel	£520	£520	£546	£286	£273
Alternative	£510	£510	£535.50	£280.50	£267.75