Living Car Free - What do you use for ID?

I would imagine that many of the car-free's out there do not have a driver's license. For those of you who do not have or carry a license, what do you use for a form of ID?

I have a driver's license.

Do you all realize that starting this month, Americans must have a passport to travel to Canada, Mexico and all other countries? This year it applies to sea travel, next year to land and air.

In Texas (and I suspect most, if not all other states), you can get an identification card at any divers license office. It serves the same purpose as the drivers license for anything except, of course, driving a car.

I have a Texas driver's license. But, they are extremely easy to get here if you are over 18, you don't even have to know how to drive a car. There is no driving test, just a short multiple choice test that is all common sense.

But if I didnt, here you can also get a State ID very easily, and I also have a passport.

Are there any photo IDs not issued by the government?

Are there any photo IDs not issued by the government?
School ID, work ID, bank ID....

Are there any photo IDs not issued by the government?

That are recognized as legal identity? Not that I would be aware of...looking at new employment forms...any accepted identification is always issued by the government. Otherwise, you might as well just fabricate your own personal identification card.

Are there any photo IDs not issued by the government?
Plenty but it most likely will not be considered a legal form of ID. NC issues ID cards. When I was bar tending the ONLY ID's that we would take had to be government issued. Military ID, State Issued Driver's license, State issued ID card or Passport. And in this day and age of fake ID's and illegal immigrants it is even more fun. On more than one occasion while flying I have been asked for an alternate form of ID.:rolleyes:

Aaron:)

I have an Ontario Driver's Licence which I use as photo ID.

Stupid ID story: I flew from Ottawa, Ontario to Vancouver, BC a few years ago with just my driver's licence. I didn't think I would need my passport since I was travelling within Canada only (and passports weren't required to fly then). No problem at the airport in Ottawa. On the way home the official checking IDs told me that my government issued Ontario Driver's licence wasn't valid ID in BC. ??? Apparently it was ok to drive with it, and to buy alcohol, etc., but not to use as photo ID to fly. I guess he just wanted to give me a hard time, because after saying that he let me on the plane anyway. Since then I always travel with my passport, whether or not I'm going out of the country.

ohio state ID, $12 and I dont get put on the jury duty list :)

I would imagine that many of the car-free's out there do not have a driver's license. For those of you who do not have or carry a license, what do you use for a form of ID?

I use Driver's license and passport. Once however, pre 9/11, I did manage to board a flight using my Costco membership card.


Many states will offer a state-issued ID in lieu of a driver's license.

My girlfriend had a CO state ID for a few years. Worked the same as a drivers license.

passport

but it does get funny looks sometimes

I used a passport in a previous carfree life. Like c0urt said, it got some puzzled looks, but I think everybody accepted it.

Bus pass.

passport

but it does get funny looks sometimes
I suspect it will also get a request for another piece of ID with an address if you are trying to cash a check; if stopped by a police officer for a traffic violation you will probably be restrained from leaving until your current address can be established.

I don't know why anyone (g'ment or business) would have a problem with a passport. It's a better and more universal and encompassing form of ID than a driver's license.

Especially with the new passport rules now I encourage everyone to get one. Even if you don't travel internationally should the opportunity ever come up you'll be ready, and, should you lose your driver's license, (perhaps the day before an important flight??), you can seamlessly use it as ID for flying, getting a new license, bank accounts, etc... A passport isn't just for travel, isn't an excellent alternative ID.

I think having a driver's license is a good idea. It's less than $25 in Texas where I got mine (as mentioned above, by filling out a multiple choice test), and it means I can drive people home from bars, or if they get hurt, or whenever I need to drive a car.

ive got a dl....it helps to be able to drive if i need to and work requires a DRIVERs license, not just an id.

I don't know why anyone (g'ment or business) would have a problem with a passport. It's a better and more universal and encompassing form of ID than a driver's license.
True if you are traveling overseas. Not necessarily true if you have to show that you have a permanent address in the US. I couldn't dump trash at the landfill or get a library card without some identification that I actually live in the area. Cashing/writing checks with only a passport for identification may be as simple as using traveler's checks at a 7-11 or supermarket; maybe it can be done, sometimes, but not easily; and don't count on it.

ive got a dl....it helps to be able to drive if i need to and work requires a DRIVERs license, not just an id.
I suspect that US adults who can't provide a Driver's License when requested for work purposes will be assumed by many employers to have lost it due to DUI, incompetence or jail time. Perhaps employer personnel department suspicions can be explained away, then perhaps not.

Driver's license. I have one.

There is a funny story with it though. I got Ontario DL as soon as I got here but they messed up my date of birth on it and also the picture didn't look anything like me. So I avoided using it because I figured people would ask for some other card to confirm my identity since the DL clearly has someone else's photo on it :D, and then they might notice different birth dates and I'd get in trouble... So since I was too lazy to do anything about this mix-up, I just used other things for ID: citizenship card once I got citizenship, and prior to that... I think my health card (and Russian passport with Canadian immigration papers when people were anal and did not accept health card as proof of identity - which happens sometimes even though the card's issued by the government and has a picture on it). But finally that DL expired and I got a new one with a correct birth date and better picture... so I use it.

True if you are traveling overseas. Not necessarily true if you have to show that you have a permanent address in the US. I couldn't dump trash at the landfill or get a library card without some identification that I actually live in the area. Cashing/writing checks with only a passport for identification may be as simple as using traveler's checks at a 7-11 or supermarket; maybe it can be done, sometimes, but not easily; and don't count on it.
Often they'll accept a passport + a utility bill with your name and address.

Often they'll accept a passport + a utility bill with your name and address.

More often they'll just accept the passport on it's own -- assuming they even bother to ask for ID in the first place, most places don't.

More often they'll just accept the passport on it's own -- assuming they even bother to ask for ID

Probably true. A couple months ago, I wanted to sign up for a Blockbuster video rental account and had misplaced my driver's license. They let me use my passport instead. (I think I found my DL an hour later.)

I agree with JamesDenver that having a passport is still well worth it. I also agree with the folks who say that having a driver's license is worth the trouble- mainly because it allows you to drive but also for the other reasons mentioned. In the USA the driver license services department in each state should give you a non-driver ID if you need it, but drivers licenses are good to have anyway.

More often they'll just accept the passport on it's own -- assuming they even bother to ask for ID in the first place, most places don't.
Maybe in Australia you can cash and write checks without ID; not often in the US.

Often they'll accept a passport + a utility bill with your name and address.
True, often that will work, but not always like a state issued ID card. Seems to be a big hassle to carry a passport around all the time vis-à-vis a state issued ID or DL that easily fits in a wallet.

A passport is also good backup ID. If you lose your State ID or DL, you can use the passport to prove to that you are who you say you are.

The main downside of everyday use is that a passport is bigger than a DL and therefore more difficult to shove into a seatbag. As others have pointed out, another downside is that it doesn't include an address. Finally, it's expensive.

It seems like they always ask for ID when I want to cash my own check. But people who steal checks have no trouble cashing others' checks without ID.

It seems like they always ask for ID when I want to cash my own check. But people who steal checks have no trouble cashing others' checks without ID.
You sure about that?

The main downside of everyday use is that a passport is bigger than a DL and therefore more difficult to shove into a seatbag. As others have pointed out, another downside is that it doesn't include an address. Finally, it's expensive.

And, it's got that creepy microchip now. (No tinfoil jokes, ILTB. ;) )

I would imagine that many of the car-free's out there do not have a driver's license. For those of you who do not have or carry a license, what do you use for a form of ID?

Nothing. Ok, I carry a DL when I am specifically going somewhere that I am planning to write a check, which doesn't happen that often. Most of the time though, I don't carry ID. Not necessary.

And, it's got that creepy microchip now. (No tinfoil jokes, ILTB. ;) )

There are a variety of ways that chip can be "inadvertently" destroyed.

You sure about that?
My friend had his checkbook stolen and they cashed five checks--out of town!--before he even knew they were missing. Another friend, who's name is Phyllis, also had checks stolen. The male thief whited out the s in "Phyllis" and put in "Phyllip," and cashed two checks for purchases at Walmart.

I got a passport. In my state, it costs me $42 for a DL, good for three years. A passport is $90, good for ten years. Passport was cheaper, so I got one of those. I don't drive, so I'm not paying for something I'm not going to use.

The last place I worked asked for a DL as valid ID, so I gave them my expired (for 2 years) DL. They never noticed. If fortune smiles on me again and grants me another paying job, I'll use my passport this time to see what they say.

Ask your DMV if they offer non-drivers ids. New York State DMV has a "non-drivers" id, which is essentially a driver's license with a "not valid for driving" restriction. People who need an id but can't/don't drive, eg legally blind people, use them in places that ask for driver's license.

Often they'll accept a passport + a utility bill with your name and address.
Several times I've had to audit eligibility for receiving DC services and drivers license or government issued ID was NOT required to establish that the recipient had an address in DC. Like Roody said, utility bill, paycheck, or embasey letter were all acceptable. I don't know why they'd deny a library card to someone without a drivers license or government ID with address but who had a passport and some other proof of residency.

My DL expires in 2040

If fortune smiles on me again and grants me another paying job, I'll use my passport this time to see what they say.

In the U.S., employers are supposed to establish that you can legally work here, and that your face matches the name you give, before hiring you. A U.S. birth certificate plus a driver's license works, but a passport works by itself.

Often they'll accept a passport + a utility bill with your name and address.
Last night I went to a dinner party and a librarian for the city was there. She confirmed that you need neither a Drivers License nor a DC Id to obtain a library card. She said you just have to show who you are and provide and address where you can be reached, the address need not be in the city. Coincidently another woman overheard my questions and said, "They gave me a library card with passport and my daughter's utility bill."

I have a driver's license.

Do you all realize that starting this month, Americans must have a passport to travel to Canada, Mexico and all other countries? This year it applies to sea travel, next year to land and air.

Starting Jan. 23, 2007 a passport is required for travel by air to Canada, Mexico and a list of other countries that you previously only needed a drivers license to visit. Starting in 2008, a passport will be required for travel by air, land and sea.

Starting Jan. 23, 2007 a passport is required for travel by air to Canada, Mexico and a list of other countries that you previously only needed a drivers license to visit. Starting in 2008, a passport will be required for travel by air, land and sea.
You're right and I was wrong. Air this year, land and sea next year.

More security nonsense from the administration. They want a national ID card but the American public has always opposed this. Actually, since 9/11, driver licenses are national ID, for all intents and purposes.

"Ve must see your papers please."

You're right and I was wrong. Air this year, land and sea next year.

More security nonsense from the administration. They want a national ID card but the American public has always opposed this. Actually, since 9/11, driver licenses are national ID, for all intents and purposes.

"Ve must see your papers please."

Driver's licenses (or state issued ID cards) have been the common form of ID for many years prior to 9/11.

If you don't drive and don't want to, go to your DMV and get a Non-Driver's ID. Whether or not you have a passport, everyone should have a state ID.

Driver's licenses (or state issued ID cards) have been the common form of ID for many years prior to 9/11.
True, but they were not national ID cards like most countries have. Technically, they were not ID cards at all, but only permits allowing one to drive on public roads. Private organizations chose to accept them as ID, but this had no force of law. And they were pretty useless as ID outside the state that issued them.

The American people have repeatedly rejected the idea of national ID cards. Naturally, the federal government would like us to have them, so they can more easily identify and control the citizenry. So the federal government has snuck ID cards in through the back door, in the form of DLs, SS cards and now passports. Since 9/11, states have been required (by the feds) to tighten standards for DLs, and also put electronic information on them that wasn't there before, like the SS number. They are now just as useful as national ID cards to federal agents of the FBI, IRS, CIA, NSA and whatever.

If a nationwide referendum were held today, voters would probably reject federal ID, but we have it any way. Do you think this is right?

Except if my teenager gets his license, Allstate will automatically start pumping the money out of my bank account with a gas turbine-powered pump. Better if he gets a Texas ID!


I think having a driver's license is a good idea. It's less than $25 in Texas where I got mine (as mentioned above, by filling out a multiple choice test), and it means I can drive people home from bars, or if they get hurt, or whenever I need to drive a car.