Yes, I always carry I.D., but I didn’t always. This changed when a friend from high school was the victim of a terrible car crash. She didn’t have an identification on her and no one knew who she was. Luckily, another friend from high school was a nurse at the hospital where she was taken. Though she was very bruised and swollen, he was able to tell who she was and help contact her mother who reached the hospital just before her daughter passed away. I was in my early 20s when this happened and have always carried some form of I.D. with me whenever I’m going further than my driveway.
Since others have mentioned it, I also always carry my phone with me in case of emergency. I don’t care if I’m running into a store just to pay for gas…my phone goes with me just in case something crazy happens during those 30 seconds that I’m inside.
The only time I’ve ever intentionally left the house without my ID was when I was heading to the emergency room to beg for sedatives. I was absolutely adamant that my parents never find out about it, and my mother has a history of weaseling similar records out of places like universities and dental practices. I wasn’t insured at the time, and the ER staff doesn’t care what you say your name is as long as you answer to it when they call you, and tell them where to send the bills.
It was probably not the brightest idea I’ve ever had, but I was there for a psychiatric consult, and the alternative was not going at all.
I didn’t have any government-issued ID for a year and it was a huge pain in the ass, so now I usually have it. I carry the drivers license around and leave my old state ID at the house as backup. I’m young and get carded for cigarettes and beer all the time, though. It also happened when I was trying to buy a pocket knife once, weirdly. I also almost never carry my debit card unless I’m planning a big purchase. When I’m just going to the grocery store or the bar, I bring the amount of cash I expect to need, or what I can afford to spend. I live in a sketchy neighborhood and in my experience, I’d rather get mugged for 40 bucks than for a card that can access all my savings.
Never, unless I’m travelling abroad, or opening a bank account or something. There’s no other reason I would need ID.
Should I ever end up in an accident, well I always have my phone with me, so someone can go through my contacts and look for “Mum” or “Dad”. And my name is on the cards in my wallet.
I find it kind of disturbing that some countries require you to carry ID at all times. It seems very “police state”.
My driver’s license lives in my wallet. Also living in my wallet are my debit and credit cards, along with whatever cash I have. I only leave home without it if I am certain that I will neither (a) drive nor (b) purchase something - not just “not planning to do either of those things,” but “positive I will not.” Such trips are pretty rare.
When I run I stick my driver’s license and my debit card (or maybe some cash) in my pocket. They can identify my lifeless body, or I can buy food/drink if necessary to avoid getting to that point.
But…but…but if you have ID on you, it’s an extra charge when you give them your old college roommate’s name instead of him getting in trouble for whatever offense you’re being book for.
Yes - like others, I always have my wallet with me and it has my ID.
Short story - I went to get a fix-it ticket taken care of recently. There was only one other guy in line, so he gets to the service window maybe 45 seconds after walking in the door. This is his exchange with the lady working there.
Guy - “I’m here to deal with a ticket.”
Lady - “OK, can I see the ticket please?”
Guy - “I don’t have it.”
Lady - “That’s fine, I can look it up by your driver’s license number.”
Guy - “I don’t have my wallet on me!”
Lady - “Alright, well I can try to look it up by your name… [guy gives his name] Oh, here it is. It’ll be $85 and you can pay at the cashier.”
Guy - “I just said I don’t have my wallet on me!”
Lady - “Ok… well, here’s a copy of the ticket and you can come back and pay at the cashier anytime before the due date.”
Guy - “Great, whatever.” [walks away and turns to me] “What a bitch, right?”
And I’m thinking, “Uh, actually no. You’re a complete ass wipe and I should tell her you called her a bitch just to see if she can screw you over somehow.” Seriously, why did he even show up to deal with the ticket in the first place? What exactly did he imagine was going to happen with no ID, no ticket, and no way to pay for it?
Nope. I only carry ID for a specified discrete purpose, such as if I need my passport. I’ve never had to show ID except for that purpose.
Reason: I’m British.
So, in the UK no one ever asks to see your ID at a bar, or when you use a credit card? IIRC you have to show it within 7 days (along with your MOT and insurance info) if you are pulled over, right?
Sadly, I’m over 18. There are IDs especially made for those just slightly older to prove they can drink.
Using a credit or debit card merely involves entering the PIN — no-one will ask how you know the PIN.
For drivers, that is correct; although if you are the owner of the car they can check such details you gave at the side of the road through radio immediately.
Historically there has been great antipathy to government ID cards in Britain; except by governments.
Like so many in this thread, I keep my driver’s license in my wallet, which is always with me. Before I had a license I carried a photocopy of my national ID, but not the original, because (a) it’s an inconvenient mini-passport-style book and (b) it’s a nightmare to replace if lost.
Curiously, the law here (South Africa) entitles a police officer to “request” you to prove your identity by showing official ID; but it doesn’t prescribe any procedure if you don’t show it, or make it an arrestable offence not to show it.
Usually if I’m not home it’s because I’m driving somewhere. In that case I need my driver’s license. If I’m just going out to walk or bike from my house I don’t carry ID.
