AA, The

The Automobile Association (The AA) was founded in London on 19 June 1905 by a small group of motoring enthusiasts under the temporary name “Motorists’ Mutual Association”. It was renamed The Automobile Association just one week later.

The AA was originally created to help early drivers bypass what they saw as strict and unfair police enforcement.

Following the Motor Car Act 1903 – which introduced a 20 mph speed limit and harsh fines – the AA hired bicycle scouts to patrol major roads like the London-to-Brighton route to warn members of upcoming police speed traps.

To stay within the law, the AA developed a famous code using vehicle grille badges. Patrolmen were instructed to salute any passing driver displaying an AA badge. If a patrolman failed to salute, it served as a silent warning to the driver that a police speed trap was ahead.

The organisation expanded rapidly, growing from 100 members in 1905 to 83,000 by 1914.

In 1906, the AA began erecting thousands of roadside danger and warning signs because local councils refused to do so.

They also introduced the first motor insurance policies in 1907 and launched the famous hotel star rating system in 1912.

In 1919, the AA opened England’s very first roadside petrol filling station in Aldermaston, Berkshire.

The following year, the organisation introduced the iconic Roadside Service Outfit (RSO) – yellow motorcycles with black sidecars packed with mechanical tools to assist motorists.

By 1934, one in every three cars in the UK belonged to an AA member, and the organisation quickly transformed into one of Britain’s largest motoring institutions, supporting over 14 million members.