Why you need to become SAF Approved
To continue working with lenders who are members of the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) when offering finance to your customers, you’ll need to become SAF (Specialist Automotive Finance) Approved by 1 January 2025.
Under the FLA’s Lending Code, FLA members can only arrange finance through SAF Approved dealers and brokers. Most of the UK's vehicle finance providers are FLA members.
All your customer-facing staff will need to pass the SAF Expert test for your dealership to become accredited.
The SAF Expert test is free and anyone in your dealership can take it. The SAF Expert test needs to be taken every year to maintain your approved status.
Becoming SAF Approved will:
- Improve your team’s understanding of vehicle finance products.
- Help to answer customer queries with confidence.
- Improve your team’s knowledge of industry compliance and regulation. This will help to keep you and your dealership safe.
- Show customers that they’re dealing with a reputable dealership.
- Allow you to continue offering vehicle finance through FLA members.
Find out more
Visit the Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) website to learn more and register your business to take the free SAF Expert test.
Our resources
SAF Expert guide
SAF what to expect factsheet
SAF user guide
Frequently asked questions
Becoming SAF approved
What is SAF?
Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) provides knowledge-based motor finance learning to boost professionalism and increase consumer confidence in motor finance. The FLA launched SAF in 2007.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Unless you have an equivalent accreditation, you’ll no longer be able to offer vehicle finance through any lenders who are FLA members, which includes us.
How long does my accreditation last?
Your accreditation lasts for one year, so you and your staff will need to re-take the test annually to maintain your SAF Approved status.
What if I need extra support when taking the test?
If needed, your SAF account administrator can request an additional 30 minutes to be added to your test time.
The FLA have also confirmed that users can use read aloud tools in their browser if they need support reading the test.
If you need any support, you can contact the FLA here.
What happens if I fail the test?
You’ll have three attempts in taking the test. If you fail three times, your SAF administrator will be able to reset your test attempt.
How long does the test take?
You’ll have one hour to answer 60 multiple choice questions. However, you’ll also need to allow time to review the training material before taking the test.
How do I register to take the test?
You can register to take the test with the FLA via their SAF website here.
How do I apply for SAF Approved status?
You can apply for your SAF Approved status on the SAF platform. You can find the instructions here.
When is my accreditation valid from?
You can apply for your SAF Approved status on the SAF platform. You can find the instructions here.
What are the SAF equivalent accreditations
SAF is the main accreditation, however other accreditations are recognised:
- Automotive Systems (UK) Ltd
- Bvrla
- Catalyst
- Ingeni
- ITC Compliance
- Peak Compliance
- Volvo Car Financial Services UK TD
Already SAF approved
We’re SAF approved, why am I getting emails?
If your FRN number is incorrect, the FLA may tell us you aren’t accredited even if you are, which means we may suspend any proposals from you unnecessarily.
What’s my FRN number?
Your Firm Registration Number (FRN) is a six or seven-digit number given to you when you registered your business with the FCA. Your FRN is unique to you and will be used by the FLA and their members to confirm your SAF Approval status, so it’s important that you get it right.
How do I check my FRN number is correct?
You can check that your FRN number is correct in your SAF Account. If you need to change your FRN number, you can do this on the SAF platform. You can find the instructions here.
Where can I find my company SAF Approved certificate?
You can find your SAF Approved company certificate on the SAF platform. You can find the instructions here.
Setting up your team
Who’s my SAF Administrator?
Your SAF administrator is the person in your dealership that first registered your business for the SAF test.
Can I register my team if we share an email address?
When you register your team, the SAF platform will ask you to input an email address. Don’t worry if your team share one email account, their username’s will allow you to register individuals separately.
How do I set up additional users to the SAF system?
You can find out how to add new users and assign them tests in our SAF Factsheet here.
How do I assign tests to my team?
You can assign tests and check the progress of your team on the SAF platform. You can find the instructions here.
How will I receive my registration and test links?
You’ll receive your SAF registration and test links from the following email address FLA-NoReply@lms.accessacloud.com.
Please note, it can take up to 48 hrs to receive these links once you’ve requested them from SAF.
How do I unlock a failed SAF Expert test for someone in my team?
Anyone who is customer-facing, and may discuss the possibility of finance with a customer, needs to take and pass the test annually. For example, anyone involved in the sale of vehicles.