We present surface spot maps of the K2V primary star in the pre-cataclysmic variable binary system , V471 Tau .
The spot maps show the presence of large high latitude spots located at the sub-white dwarf longitude region .
By tracking the relative movement of spot groups over the course of four nights ( eight rotation cycles ) , we measure the surface differential rotation rate of the system .
Our results reveal that the star is rotating rigidly with a surface shear rate , d \Omega = 1.6 \pm 6 mrad d ^ { -1 } .
The single active star AB Dor has a similar spectral type , rotation period , and activity level as the K star in V471 Tau but displays much stronger surface shear ( 46 < d \Omega < 58 mrad d ^ { -1 } ) .
Our results suggest that tidal locking may inhibit differential rotation ; this reduced shear , however , does not affect the overall magnetic activity levels in active K dwarfs .