SAF Approved

SAF Approved is a status granted by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) to dealerships or brokerages where every customer-facing staff member, involved in the sale or provision of information of motor finance, has successfully passed the annual SAF Expert assessment (or recognised SAF Equivalent training program). This status signifies that all relevant staff have the necessary knowledge and skills in motor finance products and regulations. SAF Approved status is valid for one year and can be applied for by completion of the SAF statement of compliance (either by the company’s master SAF administrator, or by the SAF Equivalent provider)

What is the process?

1. Company registers an account for SAF Expert  – their customer facing staff are registered onto the system, assigned as "test takers" and receive login details to take the SAF Expert test.
2.  SAF Expert tests passed – once all of the ‘eligible staff’ have passed the SAF Expert test, the "Master Administrator" has to complete the "SAF Statement of Compliance" to inform the FLA they are ready to apply to become SAF Approved.
3. Compliance statement completed and returned – once the SAF Statement of Compliance has been submitted to the FLA.  By completing this form dealer groups agree to have regard to the spirit of the FLA’s Lending Code, ensuring they offer finance in a transparent and fair manner.
4. SAF Approved status achieved - The FLA will verify the number of passes on the company SAF account and mark the SAF Statement of Compliance as "Complete". The company will then be SAF Approved for 12 months from the date the FLA complete this. 

The company will then appear on the FLA's "SAF Approved Company Status Report", which is emailed to the lenders each fortnight and on the SAF Dealer Directory.

The company administrator can use the SAF Approved logo on electronic communications.

SAF Equivalent Providers

The FLA is pleased to confirm that the following organisations offer learning that is recognised as equivalent to SAF Expert:

Automotive Systems (UK) Ltd

Black Horse

BVRLA

Catalyst - DBC Ltd (Autoguard Group, The Compliance Guys)

Ingeni

ITC Compliance

Peak Compliance

Volvo Car Financial Services UK LTD