How to Join the Automotive Retailers Association

Joining the ARA is simply a matter of completing your Membership Application Form and paying your membership fee. Once your application has been approved you will receive your membership kit. The kit includes a copy of the Association's bylaws, a complete breakdown of all of the services available to members, our current Roster/Member Services Guide, window decal, contact information, sample forms and other materials. With your membership number you will also be able to log in to the Members' Area of the ARA website where you will find lots of additional resources and late-breaking news.

Membership Types

There are several types of Memberships:

Full Member
If you own a business that operates in one of the seven segments of the Independent Auto Industry represented by our seven Divisions, you will complete the "General Application For Full Membership" form AND the application form for the appropriate Division.

Branch Member
If your business owns multiple locations, or your business is part of a chain under common ownership, the head office or main location will be a full member and the other locations can join as Branch Members. Of course, if you really want to support your Association you may choose to sign up all locations as full members. The main difference (besides the fee) is that only full members have voting rights.

Cross-Divisional Member
If your business operates in more than one segment of the Independent Auto Industry represented by our seven Divisions, you will choose one Division for your Full Membership affiliation and become a Cross-Divisional Member of any other applicable Divisions. For example, if your main type of business is a mechanical repair shop, but you also have a towing business, you will be a full member of the Mechanical Repair Division and a Cross-Divisional Member of the Towing & Recovery Division. Again, you are welcome to be a Full Member of multiple Divisions in order to support the activities of all relevant Divisions and to have full voting rights within those Divisions. Membership in all relevant Divisions assures that you will receive all information pertinent to those Divisions.

Associate Member
If your business is a supplier to the Independent Auto Industry you may choose to become an Associate Member. Many suppliers do so in order to gain exposure to our members by being listed in our Roster/Member Services Guide and on the ARA website. Members prefer to do business with suppliers who support our Association. We also welcome suppliers who wish to demonstrate their support by becoming Full Members.

Membership Fees

(Updated June 30, 2010 due to HST coming into effect)
You can be a Full Member of the ARA for a little as $60 per month (including HST). Membership fees can be paid on an annual basis or by a pre-authorized payment (PAP) plan:

  • Full Member = $625/year + $75 HST = $700 OR $60/month PAP
  • Branch or Cross-Divisional Member* = $250/year + $30 HST = $280 OR $24/month PAP
  • Associate Member = $500/year + $60 HST = $560 OR $48/month PAP

* Must be under common ownership of a Full Member primary location or head office.

Download Printable Membership Forms (PDF):

Full Membership applications must be accompanied by the appropriate Division Application Form:

Pre-Authorized Payment Plan (PAP)
If you wish to pay your membership dues on our monthly Pre-Authorized Payment Plan (PAP) please download, print and complete the applicable PAP form:
Full member
Associate member
Branch member
Cross-Divisional member
...and send it with your membership application form(s) along with a cheque for your first month and a void cheque for the PAP.

Please make cheques payable to "Automotive Retailers Association", or simply "ARA"

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Related Information:

• An Introduction to the ARA
• History of the ARA
• Accomplishments of the ARA