The Automobile Association

The Automobile Association (The AA) is a British motoring association founded in 1905, which was demutualised in 1999 to become a private limited company which currently provides car insurance, driving lessons, breakdown cover, loans, motoring advice and other services. Following demutualisation the AA Motoring Trust was created in 2002 to continue its public interest and road safety activities. In 2007 the AA merged with Saga Group to form Acromas Holdings. Acromas listed The AA on the London Stock Exchange in 2014 and it is now a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. The company has published, among other things AA 2009 Road Atlas Great Britain and Ireland atlases in 2008.

History

The Automobile Association was founded in 1905 to help motorists avoid police speed traps, in response to the Motor Car Act 1903 which introduced new penalties for breaking the speed limit, for reckless driving with fines, endorsements and the possibility of jail for speeding and other driving offences. The act also required drivers to hold a driving licence (which was obtained on payment of 5 shillings and did not require a driving test) and to display a registration plate on their vehicle.