storckm

I'm in Ohio, and often don't carry a driver's license or any sort of identification papers when I walk or bicycle. Is this illegal?

10 Wheels

Call your local police department and ask them.

knurly

Everything is illegal, life itself has become outlaw. The real question is, which laws are they going to enforce?

jon c. 

It is not illegal, although police often seem unaware of this fact. And there may be local ordinances that could require it. They'd likely be unconstitutional, but you aren't likely to litigate the issue that far. P

sm1960

sign ze papers old man

dynodonn 

Though it's not illegal in our state, but if stopped by an LEO, it could give cause for a one to have a less pleasant of a day than one normally would have if they were carrying ID.

leob1

https://www.flexyourrights.org/faq/120
Good luck

chipcom 

In Ohio you have no obligation to provide proof of your identity unless detained or arrested. You are, however, obligated to provide your name, address and date of birth under the conditions in this statute. https://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2921.29

Edit: I should add that if you are operating a motor vehicle or engaged in another activity that requires a license, you are required to provide that license to an LEO upon request.

gmt13

And, depending on the circumstances, they could detain you until they verify your ID so you could be held for more time than you would like.

-G

Whiteknight

From everything I could learn there are federal court rulings that cover it.

If stopped by police you are expected to give your name, address and date of birth. If you do not carry any form of ID they would enter what you gave them into the computer in their cars. If nothing on you comes back they wou8ld of course claim that the info you gave them is not correct. They could then hold you until they could verify your ID. Usually they would ask that a family member ID you are provide some form of identification.

You might also want to think about the consequences of riding without ID should you be involved in some sort of accident where you would be rendered unconscious and taken to a hospital. Questions on approval to render treatment might be a problem. Also any special medical needs they must watch out for.

sm1960

Under the 4th amendment, unless they are stopping you for a crime you do not have to provide any information, or submit to any searches. Even if you are stopped for a traffic infraction, which you do need to provide ID, you do not have to allow your vehicle to be searched unless they have probable cause...a drug dog indicates drugs or something illegal is in view.

CommuterRun

Not illegal per se, but if a LEO asks for ID and you don't have it they can detain you until they satisfactorily determine who you are. I would much rather carry ID than risk sitting somewhere cooling my heels for hours.

The last time I was stopped on the road and asked for ID I was able to produce multiple picture IDs, and one without a picture just to back up the rest. We wound up chit-chatting for a little bit. And now that's one more LEO that we know each other and I don't have to ever worry about getting stopped by him again unless it's just to chat. Not unless I'm doing something really stupid and deserve whatever I get.

Whiteknight

That is not chiseled in stone. Reading Pennsylvania Superior Court rulings. If you happen to be in what the local govt. has described as a high crime area they can stop you on a whim. The PA court has repeatedly ruled that if a police officer stops you even though he/she has no reasonable suspicion or cause it is classed as a mere encounter and does not fall under the 4th amendment protection. There is a description of this process in cases dealing with "Terry stops". Hinges on if the subject stopped feels he is free to move away. Usually looked at on a case by case basis.

Whiteknight

A little off topic here. But whenever the subject of presenting ID to a LEO comes up I think of an incident in this neighborhood several years ago.
Our bid officer made a traffic stop down the street. Was running the driver's ID through his in-car computer. Next thing 5 more cop cars roll up and cops jump out with guns drawn. Turns out the driver was using stolen ID and the ID was for some guy in New York wanted on a murder charge. So the guy with the stolen ID spent two weeks in the counjty jail until relatives could prove he wasn't the guy from New York. Moral of the story is that if you are going to use stolen ID you might want to do a background check.

CommuterRun

Now that's just freakin' hilarious right there. I don't care who ya' are.

genec

All you have to provide a LEO is a valid ID... Did you know you can get a passport card?

https://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt...card_3926.html

It is valid ID and can be presented as such.

kjmillig

If stopped while riding my bike, I will not hand over my drivers license since I'm not driving a vehicle that requires a license.I have other photo ID that I can use. Even my bank card has my picture on it.
I like the idea of the passport card.

nelson249

No ID needed in Ontario but you have to identify yourself at the request of a peace officer.

alexaschwanden

Why does it matter if you carry ID while on a bike.

CommuteCommando

Don't know. Don't care. IMO, it's just not smart.

bikepro

Don't carry any identification -- that way you can be another "John Doe" if you have an accident and are unconscious.

prathmann

The same is true throughout the United States - verbally giving your correct name is sufficient. I almost always have my wallet with DL in my pocket but do not volunteer it unless I'm stopped while driving a motor vehicle.

Last year this worked out well when a group of us were stopped for slowly rolling through a stop sign. The officers asked for identification and immediately issued tickets to those who presented any. I was told to stand off to the side when I didn't offer any. After they finished giving out tickets to the others no one came back to me and after a few minutes I slowly walked back over to my bike and resumed my ride.

CB HI

First, cops can easily check your identification with just your verbal name and birth date. The in car computer can look it up, including address, arrest and warrants in just a few seconds.

You are only required to carry a drivers license if you are operating a MOTOR vehicle. NO ID card is required for riding a bicycle. Cops cannot legally confiscate your bicycle for not having an ID card on you.


Here is the US Supreme Court - Hiibel case that establishes that a cyclist is only required to provide basic verbal identifying information if stopped by police:

HIIBEL v. SIXTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF NEVADA
https://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/script...&invol=03-5554

Here is the bottom line on cyclist and ID Cards. The Hiibel US Supreme Court case firmly establishes that if a cyclist is stopped by police either for investigation or arrest, all the cyclist must do, is verbally provide their correct name and birth date. No state laws can override this. So no state can legally compel cyclist to carry or present an ID Card to police.

If a cyclist wants to carry an ID Card for emergencies, fine, but cyclist are not required to so. Cyclist can also put an emergency contact number into their cell phone under ICE (standing for In Case of Emergency) which would also allow police or EMTs to quickly contact someone who knows you, and may know any special medical conditions you have.

Now if you are in a state like California, that has a law that a citizen who has committed a traffic infraction and if that citizen is willing to show a valid ID Card and sign a promise to appear, then the police must release the citizen with a citation and cannot take such citizen into custody; then it might be a good idea to carry a valid ID Card with you, IF you plan on breaking traffic laws and you are also going to carry illegal drugs, weapons or other illegal items on you. In such a case, the ID Card might be a get out of jail free card for the illegal drugs, weapons or other illegal items. For those of us that do not break the traffic code and do not carry illegal drugs, weapons or other illegal items; NOT carrying the ID Card when cycling has no legal impact.

Choosing to either carry an ID Card or NOT carry an ID Card is YOUR legal choice when cycling.

You cannot be arrested for not carrying and presenting an ID Card to police when cycling.

Folks, if you are truly interested in the ID Card subject and confirming for yourself that a cyclist is only required to provide basic verbal identifying information if stopped by police, please read the Hiibel case. It is long and may be a little hard to follow, but it is worth while to understand your rights.

catonec 

I carry my medical insurance card with me when I ride along with my debit card and some cash rubber banded to my cell in my jersey pocket. I also have my wifes name and contact information written on a card taped to the inside my helmet just in case. maybe im paranoid??

Rollfast

Every kid a criminal, third graders hardened vets.