Carrying ID

[nikkik]

2 questions:

1. Is the government going any further with the idea of ID cards?

I ask because I feel a little anxious carrying my passport or drivers licence about in case my bag is snatched and it would be hard to replace especially the passport.

2. Hands up who actually does carry there passport or drivers licence for ID purposes or for any other reason.

[Sammy Snake]

In answer to your second question, I don't carry my passport or driving licence for the very reason you mention - what if they were stolen?

I was having a discussion with a bloke at work last week about being stopped by the police and needing to produce documents at the police station within 7 days.  He just couldn't understand why I don't keep my driving licence/MOT etc in my car at all times (he doesn't drive by the way). 

I couldn't get my point across to him at all - what if my car was stolen or broken into?  All the important documents I would need would be in it and therefore stolen as well!

As for your first question, I've no idea if they are taking it any further but I don't mind having an ID card, I'm just not going to pay the quoted �300 for it (if someone else wants me to carry one, they can pay!).  If it gets stolen, that's not my fault and I shouldn't have to pay for a replacement.  If I lose it however, I agree it's my fault and probably I should pay.

[SteveD]

Why not carry a photocopy of these documents?

[smudge]

I've always carried my driving licence around with me - never given it a second thought.

However, my passport is safely locked away indoors!

[chazza]

I always carry my driving license - it is very easy to replace if stolen

[Grunty]

I knew someone who lost his driving licence.  The thief was going round the country getting credit and traffic convictions in his name.  The real owner knew nothing about it until he applied for a replacement licence and was told he couldn't have one because he was disqualified.  The only action possible was to apply for an expensive and time-consuming Royal Pardon (although he had done nothing wrong).

My driving licence is tucked into my passport so I will never again turn up in a foreign country and be unable to hire a car.

[Gef]

I always carry my plastic photo driving license with me in my wallet. It's no use to anyone else as it's got my photo on it.

[Ralph]

My license also lives in my wallet where it is infinitely more use than in a drawer at home, if only so they could identify the body should I get washed overboard from a boat one day! My passport is a bit big to carry around, and is also less resillient since it's mostly paper, so it stays at home. My wallet might be stolen with my driving licence in it, but the chances of this are actually quite remote.

[spudqueen]

Yes, I carry my photo driving licence around with me, my passport is locked away in our safe.

[katreeen]

Sounds harsh but a big reason for carrying such ID is how old you are/look. My friends and I all carry our driving licences (full or provisional) as it's the only proof of age the pubs round here will accept. All these "official" proof of age cards with holograms etc are not trusted by pubs, they'll only accept a photocard driving licence or passport (not a photocopy as they can be easily doctored).