On this day in auto history – March 18th

Thu 18th Mar 2021

It was on this day in 1935 that the 30 mph speed limit for built-up areas came into force in Britain.

Having originally introduced a 20 mph speed limit for all cars in 1903, the speed limit was abolished altogether for light vehicles in the controversial Road Traffic Act of 1930, however, a sharp rise in fatal accidents caused a rethink.

Though not everyone was in favour, Parliament eventually settled on a compromise of 30 mph for built-up areas and, though it seems that the figure was decided in somewhat arbitrary fashion, the same limits endure to this day.

Away from built-up areas, motorists were free to drive at whatever speed they liked until a top speed of 70 mph was introduced for dual carriageways and motorways in 1965.

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	£180	£180	£189	£99	£94.50
Electric	£0	N/A	N/A	£0	N/A
Alternative	£170	£170	£178.50	£93.50	£89.25

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 £390 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	£570	£570	£598.50	£313.50	£299.25
Alternative	£560	£560	£588	£308	£294