So then, as expected, the DVLA's Accredited Trade Associations (ATA), Standards required to obtain ATA status: are not standards at all. They are merely 'guidance', which in effect, means they can be completely ignored and the DVLA will still grant ATA status if the standards are not met.
Here is a copy & paste from DVLA's Mark Lewis email to me today. I have emailed Mr Lewis a follow-up
With regard to your issue with the current BPA Code of Practice containing no specific reference to obtaining keeper details and ATA information on signage, as set out above the ATA criteria document is primarily intended for guidance purposes. This issue has since been raised with both ATA’s, and we take the view that the signage standards in the respective codes are appropriate in terms of maintaining standards. This is subject of course to ongoing monitoring as part of the Agency’s usual procedures with both ATA’s.
Basically the BPA does not care what it members do and the DVLA does not care what the BPA, as an ATA does. The DVLA does not even think that AOS members need to use signs which comply with the 'Standards required'.
Nice one, DVLA.