NRMA

The NRMA (trading name of National Roads and Motorists' Association) is an Australian organisation offering roadside assistance, advocacy for motorists and road-users, motoring advice, car servicing, International Driving Permits, travel, and other services in all of Australia except Victoria.

The 1950s heralded the beginning of a huge surge in the number of cars on Australian roads, and NRMA membership increased in kind.

The National Roads Association aimed to become a broader and stronger pressure group with the same objectives as RACA, and it received full support from the latter.

With a goal strikingly similar to that of RACA, it positioned the NRMA as a competitor as much as a collaborator, particularly when it began to employ its own road service "guides".

Particular concerns included the need for a special traffic court, and a change to the "plethora of danger signs" that had appeared in the streets, accompanied by "frequently incomprehensible signals of police" at intersections.

[6] When World War II began, it followed the RACA's early lead in forming the NRMA Transport Auxiliary.

[8] NRMA Insurances' financial success had led to a huge accumulation of surplus funds which could not be distributed back to members and was attractive to outside interests.

[11] In September 2006, the NRMA purchased a 75% shareholding in the Australian Thrifty Car Rental franchise from Mitsubishi Motors Australia.

[12] The deal was highlighted in the media and in NSW Parliament[13] as potentially involving conflict of interest with the board member Gary Punch.

[17] In March 2021, it was announced that the NRMA had purchased the Tasmanian tourism assets of the Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania (RACT) including Cradle Mountain Hotel, Freycinet Lodge, Gordon River Cruises and Strahan Village to be operated under the NRMA Expeditions brand.

[20] In 2012 the NRMA opened free public charging stations for electric vehicles in Sydney (fast charger) and Canberra.

Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, said the NRMA, like big petroleum companies, has a vested interest in campaigning for car use.

It's time the NRMA leadership came into the 21st century and recognised that encouraging more cyclists is an easy way to reduce road congestion."

NRMA-endorsed new car dealer in Tumut , from a 2005 exhibition.
NRMA hood ornament on a 1930s Rolls-Royce Phantom
NRMA badges