Automobile Association Developments Limited: consumer protection enforcement case
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigated suspected infringements of consumer law in relation to the presentation of mandatory booking fees by Automobile Association Developments Limited in the UK and gave a Final Infringement Notice reflecting the settlement of the case.
Case timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 15 April 2026 | Final Infringement Notice given and settlement announced |
| November 2025 to March 2026 | Initial investigation: information and evidence gathering |
| 17 November 2025 | Investigation opened |
Case closure: Final Infringement Notice and settlement
15 April 2026: The CMA has given a Final Infringement Notice to Automobile Association Developments Limited, trading as the AA and the AA Driving School and as BSM and BSM Driving School and has imposed a financial penalty of £4.2 million for infringing consumer protection law. The penalty includes a 40% reduction for settling the case to reflect resource savings to the CMA generated by the company’s admissions, and its agreement to adhere to a streamlined administrative procedure and to comply with the other conditions of settlement, including agreeing not to appeal the decision.
As part of settlement, Automobile Association Developments Limited will refund booking fees paid by affected consumers. Automobile Association Developments Limited must also report back to the CMA over the coming year with updates on the refund process.
- Press release: CMA orders the AA and BSM driving schools to refund learner drivers over drip pricing (15.4.26)
Case opening
17 November 2025: The CMA has opened an investigation into compliance with consumer protection law by Automobile Association Developments Limited, trading as the AA and the AA Driving School and as BSM and BSM Driving School.
The CMA is investigating Automobile Association Developments Limited over its presentation of mandatory fees. Specifically, whether these fees are included in the total price the consumer sees at the beginning of the purchase process.
The CMA will now engage with Automobile Association Developments Limited and gather evidence to consider whether the CMA thinks the company has infringed consumer protection law.
At this initial stage, it should not be assumed that Automobile Association Developments Limited has infringed consumer protection law and no finding has been made.
- Press release: CMA launches major consumer protection drive focused on online pricing practices (18.11.25)
Contact
- general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk
- Fred Houwen, Director
- Hayley Fletcher, Senior Responsible Officer
Personal information
Your name and contact details are your personal data. The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its consumer protection investigation under Part 8 the Enterprise Act 2002. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.
For more information about how the CMA handles personal information, please see our personal information charter.
Updates to this page
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Final Infringement Notice given and settlement announced.
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First published.