# Do you ever go out without ID? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 11, 2020, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764 "2020-02-11T12:58:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/101 "2020-02-13T03:42:26Z")
I have ever done so. [I don’t recommend it](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12708723&postcount=6) ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/102 "2020-02-13T03:59:23Z")
No. I live in a police state. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/103 "2020-02-13T22:47:40Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > So if you don’t drive and you don’t have a passport, how do you prove your identity/age/residence etc.? It’s hard to believe it never comes up. Birth certificate, national insurance number, utillity bills. that sort of thing. Most people do end up with either a passport or driver’s licence but even my DL doesn’t have a photo. I can’t ever remember a situation in the UK where I’ve had to produce a photo ID ad-hoc. Even when I’ve gone for a job there have been options to use non photo ID to initiate the security checks. The government did try to suggest mandated photo ID some years ago, it didn’t go down well. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/104 "2020-02-13T23:05:13Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > The government did try to suggest mandated photo ID some years ago, it didn’t go down well. The government doesn’t mandate photo ID. It’s just that you won’t be able to do a lot of things without it, such as write a check, sign up for membership at places, rent or borrow things, purchase alcohol or tobacco products, enter a bar, enter certain secured buildings, board an airplane, purchase prescribed or otherwise controlled medications, etc. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/105 "2020-02-13T23:08:45Z")
I was going to say no, or at least not on purpose, but then I read the responses about walking dogs. I haven’t had a dog for ages, but I walked her without ID all the time. And when coworkers and I go for walks on breaks, none of us carry ID. But I figure with the latter at least, if anything goes wrong we can ID each other. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/106 "2020-02-13T23:17:03Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > The government did try to suggest mandated photo ID some years ago, it didn’t go down well. The government doesn’t mandate photo ID. It’s just that you won’t be able to do a lot of things without it, such as write a check, sign up for membership at places, rent or borrow things, purchase alcohol or tobacco products, enter a bar, enter certain secured buildings, board an airplane, purchase prescribed or otherwise controlled medications, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/107 "2020-02-13T23:31:24Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > The government doesn’t mandate photo ID. It’s just that you won’t be able to do a lot of things without it, such as write a check, sign up for membership at places, rent or borrow things, purchase alcohol or tobacco products, enter a bar, enter certain secured buildings, board an airplane, purchase prescribed or otherwise controlled medications, etc. pretty sure some governements do ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/108 "2020-02-13T23:40:59Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > pretty sure some governements do I’m comparing the situation in the U.S. to yours. “The Government” doesn’t mean “every government.” ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/109 "2020-02-14T00:25:49Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > The government doesn’t mandate photo ID. It’s just that you won’t be able to do a lot of things without it, such as write a check, sign up for membership at places, rent or borrow things, purchase alcohol or tobacco products, enter a bar, enter certain secured buildings, board an airplane, purchase prescribed or otherwise controlled medications, etc. I had to show my ID to pick up a $6 order at Joann Fabrics yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/110 "2020-02-14T07:39:04Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I’m comparing the situation in the U.S. to yours. “The Government” doesn’t mean “every government.” Then I’m not sure why you stated “The government doesn’t mandate photo ID” as if I’d claimed otherwise. I just stated what my own governmnet tried to do and didn’t refer to any other government at all. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/111 "2020-02-14T08:17:33Z")
> [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](#): > > Is that just for citizens? I ask because I’m American and my son is attending university in the UK. As part of applying for his Tier 4 (student) visa, he had to get pictures and fingerprints taken at a US Homeland Security office which were transmitted to the UK and put on a Biometric Residency Permit (BRP), which he then had to pick up at a UK post office within 7 days of arrival. It’s a plastic ID card about the size of a credit card/driver license. He needs this to reenter the country legally. He also needed it at his GP to prove he was eligible to access National Health Services. Yeah, residency permits are different. Basically 'cos there wasn’t as much pushback about making non-citizens get an official ID, especially as anyone who legally entered the country had one anyway (maybe the odd refugee doesn’t, but that’s a different system anyway). But, like I said previously, I had a 30 something year old housemate who owns no form of photo ID. It’s not a deliberate attempt to avoid attention or anything, it’s just never been needed. On the rare occasions he needs to prove address, usually 2 utility bills will be accepted, and the beard is usually an acceptable proof of age when it comes to buying stuff. Cheques here are pretty much only used we have to post a payment (honestly I think they’re about 80% birthday presents from grandma at this point) and we use chip-and-pin on credit and debit cards when we’re not just waving cards in the general direction of the scanner. Police can look up your picture and details without needing to see a card (unless there’s a system glitch or something). I’ve only had to show ID when flying, starting a new job with a background check requirement and when registering as a student, in the last decade. I did show it when I got a new doctor, but I think I could have brought several non-photo options instead. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/112 "2020-02-14T08:26:03Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > The government doesn’t mandate photo ID. It’s just that you won’t be able to do a lot of things without it, such as write a check, sign up for membership at places, rent or borrow things, purchase alcohol or tobacco products, enter a bar, enter certain secured buildings, board an airplane, purchase prescribed or otherwise controlled medications, etc. The only thing in that list we’d need photo ID for in the UK is boarding a plane. Unless you’re under 25, then photo ID would be handy for buying alcohol. Only other time I can remember recently was registering with a new solicitor, when I bought my house. When I purchase prescription meds, all I’m asked for is a verbal confirmation of my address (which is printed on the prescription). And ‘writing checks’? Do you still do that? (One other thing - we don’t need any iD to vote either. We don’t even need to show our polling card. Just recite your address at the polling station). ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/113 "2020-02-14T11:31:26Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > The government doesn’t mandate photo ID. Assuming we’re talking about the US government, then yes, in some cases it does. I gave the example upthread of permanent residents, who must carry their green card with them at all times. > **[After We Grant Your Green Card | USCIS](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card)** > > We issue a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) to all permanent residents as proof that they are authorized to live and work in the United States. If you are a permanent resident age 18 or older, > [@USCIS](#): > > We issue a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) to all permanent residents as proof that they are authorized to live and work in the United States. If you are a permanent resident age 18 or older, you are required to have a valid Green Card in your possession at all times. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/114 "2020-02-14T11:38:30Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > And ‘writing checks’? Do you still do that?. Yes. I occasionally still do that. Checks are actually very useful. If I’m paying a bill by mail, I write a check. If I’m paying a service provider like my cleaning lady or lawn care guy I always write a check. For the down payment in my house I write a check. If I’m paying my neighbor for my share of the reee removal I write a check. My parents send me my birthday present with a check. You can float a check. You can’t do that with an electronic payment. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/115 "2020-02-14T12:44:05Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > I had to show my ID to pick up a $6 order at Joann Fabrics yesterday. The last two times I had to show ID was at Michael’s for online yarn orders! Guess there’s a band of yarn thieves in my county. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/116 "2020-02-14T13:39:58Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Yes. I occasionally still do that. Checks are actually very useful. > > If I’m paying a bill by mail, I write a check. All my bills are paid for by electronic payment > [@Acsenray](#): > > If I’m paying a service provider like my cleaning lady or lawn care guy I always write a check. Electronic bank transfer > [@Acsenray](#): > > For the down payment in my house I write a check. Electronic bank transfer > [@Acsenray](#): > > If I’m paying my neighbor for my share of the reee removal I write a check. Again, electronic bank transfer > [@Acsenray](#): > > My parents send me my birthday present with a check. THIS I will grant you. But then my parents are 92. > [@Acsenray](#): > > You can float a check. You can’t do that with an electronic payment. What do you mean by ‘float a check’? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/117 "2020-02-14T13:44:51Z")
Floating a check means writing one knowing you do not have the money in your account. When I used to accept checks at my business, this was a big problem. Somebody would write a check that was not good _yet_. Sometimes I’d just happen to be going to the bank, so I’d deposit the check that same day. After it bounced, the check writer would be pissed off at me for depositing it “too soon”. I’m so happy I decided to stop accepting checks ~10 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/118 "2020-02-14T14:29:11Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > All my bills are paid for by electronic payment > Electronic bank transfer > Electronic bank transfer > Again, electronic bank transfer > THIS I will grant you. But then my parents are 92. I don’t want to use electronic bank transfer with anyone who isn’t a major business or institution. Electronic transfer means I have to have the money in my account right now. Writing a check allows me to avoid saying “can I pay you after payday?” I don’t want to be part of a system which allows a friend or other casual relationship to demand I pay them right away. > [@](#): > > What do you mean by ‘float a check’? That means I can give someone a check or mail it and get credit for payment even though there won’t be enough money in the account to cover it for several days. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/119 "2020-02-14T14:40:57Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > That means I can give someone a check or mail it and get credit for payment even though there won’t be enough money in the account to cover it for several days. I see where you’re coming from, but really that’s a bug, not a feature. My bank allows me to specify a payment date for electronic payments that can be anywhere from immediate to many days away. So it’s possible to pay someone electronically, setting a date convenient for you, and tell them you have made the payment but it may take a few days to arrive in their account. Works for everyone just as well as, in fact better than, a cheque. I think it’s a bit of an anomaly that the US is so far behind many other countries in terms of adopting newer payment technology (in general), chip and PIN cards being another example. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764/120 "2020-02-14T14:54:49Z")
> [@digs](#): > > For anyone who doesn’t take any ID with them, please start. Not for you, but for the healthcare workers who have to call someone and tell them you’re unconscious in the emergency room. We’re grateful our kid did after he was hit by a car. > > Since I’ve been hit a few times commuting by bike, the wife often yells “Have a nice ride! Gotcher ID?” Which is useless for anyone who lives alone, or even anyone without a home phone. In Post #56, I suggested a [RoadID](https://www.roadid.com/), which lists whatever emergency contact info &/or allergies that you want to put on it. I have no affiliation with them other than the fact that I have one & was wearing it last night when I was out hiking with others who know me but not well enough to know my next of kin. Get one made by them or another company, I don’t care; just get one as there’s no guarantee that your phone will make it with you to the hospital or not be damaged beyond usability if it does. Just like what happened with the Medic-Alert bracelets\* a few years ago, make sure to get one that is _ **obvious** _ what it is. - People wearing them stated that didn’t want something that looked like a medic alert bracelet so they started making ones that were more ‘jewelry-like’; the problem is that they aren’t as noticeable & therefore, the people who needed to see them when you were in a bad way didn’t notice them as they just looked like jewelry. I’ve seen some IDs that attach to a (black) sports watch band, in black metal; very easy to overlook…until they do an autopsy in the coroners office a day or two later. :smack: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-go-out-without-id/847764.md?page=7)