History of AMA

"Looking backward as a rule is not conducive to inspiration. In fact, most of the modern sages urge that we constantly look forward. But withal, the best way to observe how far we have gone is an occasional glance behind over the trail."
- Standish Mitchell, 1925

Explore a timeline of AMA’s history or click here to watch our new History of Advocacy video.

1901

The first "horseless carriage" arrives in Alberta, a Locomobile, driven by Billy Cochrane.

1906

Alberta passes the Automobile Act, setting speed limits of 10 mph in towns and 20 mph in the country.

The first long-distance auto trip is made over the entire Edmonton-Calgary Trail - it takes two days.

1909

Good Roads Association holds it first convention in Leduc, spawning auto clubs that would later become the AMA.

1911

Alberta establishes minimum age limits for drivers - 16 for men, and 18 for women.

1913

Alberta government creates an official highways branch.

Twelve auto clubs from across Canada join together to form the Canadian Automobile Association.

1918

Alberta now has 29,000 licensed drivers, up from 41 car owners in 1906.

1922

Alberta passes its second Highways Act. The provincial government agrees to share road costs with municipalities, paying 75% for main roads and 25% for "market" or district roads.

1923

A provincial tax of two cents a gallon is added to the price of gasoline.

1926

AMA is officially incorporated on November 30, with the merger of the Edmonton Automobile and Good Roads Association, and the Calgary Auto Club.

1927

First Road Reports are broadcast on radio.

AMA offers six garages that will provide free emergency road service.

1928

AMA begins to sell licence plates, at 50 cents each.

1929

All Albertans are now required to have a driver's licence (Driving exams, however, aren't implemented until 1937).

1936

AMA offers highway patrols on Harley-Davidson motorcycles to help distressed motorists.

1937

School safety patrol program begins in Calgary.

1938

The first white line on the Calgary to Edmonton highway is completed.

AMA Driver Education begins in Calgary, using the first dual-control cars in Canada.

1947

Oil is discovered at Leduc. Over the next 10 years, Alberta's provincial government spends $280 million on highways.

1948

Federal government calls for a plan to build the Trans-Canada Highway. It isn't completed until 1963.

1951

AMA begins free hotel/motel reservations services, helping members overcome poor telephone communication with Alberta's mountain resorts.

1958

AMA crest with the Alberta coat of arms gives way to the blue and red oval of the CAA.

1959

AMA begins selling personal accident insurance.

1962

AMA begins to offer automobile insurance and enters the travel business.

1964

Hunting and fishing licences are sold at AMA.

AMA membership breaks the 200,000 mark.

1967

Premier Ernest C. Manning opens AMA's first provincial headquarters at Kingsway Branch, in Edmonton.

Membership rates rise for the first time since 1929 - from $10 to $13.

1970

Homeowner and tenant insurance for members is introduced.

1971

AMA becomes the first CAA club to offer protection against loss or theft on credit cards.

Marriage licences sold for the first time.

1972

AMA begins compulsory seat belt use campaign, an issue on which the membership is evenly split. Continues for 15 years, ending with provincial legislation in 1986.

1977

Highway signs go metric.

AMA introduces travel accident insurance.

1978

AMA Consumer Hotline opens.

1982

Calgary is hit by a massive hailstorm; AMA Insurance loses more than half a million dollars.

1984

Alberta introduces "Starting Early," an alcohol awareness program for youths.

1989

First President's Cruise to the Caribbean.

1990

AMA membership passes 400,000.

1996

AMA launches MISSION POSSIBLE Traffic Safety Initiative.

AMA launches its first website.

2001

AMA blazes yet another new trail by becoming the first automobile association in North America to offer members mortgages.

AMA celebrates its 75th anniversary, ending the year with over 600,000 members.

2004

AMA membership exceeds 700,000.

2006

The provincial government develops and adopts the Alberta Traffic Safety Plan, a framework for action to reduce collisions, with input from AMA.

Today

Membership currently at over 919,000 members.