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 adriving licence (which was obtained on payment of 5 shillings and did not require a driving test) and to display a vehicle registration plate on their vehicle.

Info gleaned from Wikipedia