An automobile association, also referred to as a motoring club, motoring association, or motor club, is an organization, either for-profit or non-profit, which motorists (drivers and vehicle owners) can join to enjoy benefits provided by the club relating to driving a vehicle. There is most often an annual membership fee to join. A membership identification card, valid for the time period of membership paid, is typically issued to the member.
Typical motor club benefits
Member benefits may include the following:
- Use of the membership card as a bail bond card for minor traffic violations. In the USA this is especially useful for members driving outside their own state, since other state law enforcement agencies commonly do not recognize posting out-of-state driver's licenses as bail bond, but often will accept motor club member cards.[citation needed]
- Emergency road service upon presentation of the membership card. Often there is a nationwide network with agreements with various local towing and other emergency road service providers.[citation needed]
- Provision of maps, or other tourist or motoring information in some cases, to members.[citation needed]
- In some cases, reward stickers or decals may be provided to the member to place in the window of his/her vehicle, offering a reward to someone who locates or reports the vehicle if stolen.[1]
- Sometimes certain services related to vehicles, such as transferring ownership, may be provided to members at a reduced cost.[citation needed]
- Some businesses, such as motels, may provide members of certain motor clubs with discounts upon presentation of their membership cards.[citation needed]
