# Scan my license?!? WTF! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 2, 2004, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648 "2004-12-02T04:11:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/41 "2004-12-02T17:36:37Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Second, if the state (in it’s infinite wisdom) sees fit to put a magnetic stripe or 2D barcode on the DL’s they distribute, then altering that stripe is equivalent to altering the ID. You get pulled over for speeding, and the cop swipes your DL, he’ll know you altered your ID, and that’s not gonna look good. Now this is just bullshit. I have had to replace several ATM cards because the stripe will no longer scan, and they looked perfectly good. Obviously the technology is flawed, and the cop has no idea why the stripe doesn’t work. Unless he can prove that you tampered with it, he can do nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/42 "2004-12-02T17:55:45Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > Unless he can prove that you tampered with it, he can do nothing. …except hold you until they figure out what happened. I suspect if they have evidence of an altered ID they can hold on to you until they can confirm it. Any peace officers around to confirm? ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/43 "2004-12-02T18:13:31Z")
When our cousin was visiting, we took her to a country bar to go dancing. A few weeks later, we got a postcard in the mail advertising ladies’ night. I couldn’t understand how they got our mailing address…then I remembered they swiped our licenses. IMHO, the liquor store has no need of your address to sell you liquor. And I would want a better reason than “It’s store policy.” ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/44 "2004-12-02T18:13:49Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Second, if the state (in it’s infinite wisdom) sees fit to put a magnetic stripe or 2D barcode on the DL’s they distribute, then altering that stripe is equivalent to altering the ID. You get pulled over for speeding, and the cop swipes your DL, he’ll know you altered your ID, and that’s not gonna look good. Where do you come up with this crap? So when my credit card stripe no longer works it’s because I’ve tampered with it? Besides, it’s not as if the information isn’t available in 2 minutes to the officer by computer or voice. Sam ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/45 "2004-12-02T18:16:42Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > …except hold you until they figure out what happened. I suspect if they have evidence of an altered ID they can hold on to you until they can confirm it. Any peace officers around to confirm? I think they can hold you for an “altered license”, but I’m almost 100% certain that a non-working mag stripe isn’t grounds for being held. An “altered license” would indicate altered information, pictures, wording, Etc, not a non-working data feature of the card. Sam ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/46 "2004-12-02T18:18:31Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Isn’t any ID issued by a state the property of the state? We have the magnetic strip on our IDs, but I’ve never seen it used other than for traffic stops. I always understood (in ND and WI) that any state ID is property of the state and returnable on demand. Hell, state law here requires you to turn in your license to a local DMV or mail it to Bismarck if it’s been revoked/suspended. > > Not sure about MA law, but most states say you do not own the card. Rights vs. Privilege type of thing. With all due respect, **duffer** , this has no relevance. If a cop pulled over **Raven** then the cop has all access to the license that he wants. A private business, such as a liquor store, has no such right. (Unless there’s some strange MA law I am unaware of.) The state, not the liquor store, issued the driver’s license. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/47 "2004-12-02T18:21:05Z")
I’ve had my ID swiped in Santa Cruz as well, at Laurel & Pacific, and it’s routinely swiped at Beverages & More here in SF. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/48 "2004-12-02T18:37:45Z")
> [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > I’ve had my ID swiped in Santa Cruz as well, at Laurel & Pacific, and it’s routinely swiped at Beverages & More here in SF. I don’t know the exact intersection, but my swiping happened at a Quick Stop. BevMo in San Jose also does this, and that(and my lack of drinking in the last 3 or 4 years), is why I no longer patronize their stores. Sam ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/49 "2004-12-02T18:42:27Z")
Altering a drivers license is an offence in and of itself in most jurisdictions. Altering the stripe on your credit card is not, unless you alter it in an attempt to commit fraud. A quick cite from [California](http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d06/vc14610.htm) regarding unlawful use of license > [@](#): > > (8) To alter any driver’s license in any manner not authorized by this code. Demagnetizing is altering the license from its original form. Now the officer has to rely on just the text and photograph, which the magstripe is specifically designed to enhance. The stripe is there to make fraud more difficult, disable it and an officer has to go through extra steps to ensure no fraud is taking place. Will it get you tossed in jail? Probably not, but it could get you a fine. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/50 "2004-12-02T18:45:59Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > …except hold you until they figure out what happened. I suspect if they have evidence of an altered ID they can hold on to you until they can confirm it. Any peace officers around to confirm? Evidence? What evidence? There is no conceivable evidence that could differentiate between a stripe that has been wiped intentionally or accidentally. They can’t hold you without probable cause, and a technology failure is not probable cause. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/51 "2004-12-02T18:52:37Z")
Steaky- To prove offense, the police would have to be watching you as you “altered” it. Since demagnetization happens to cards on a routine basis on accident and through use, while your little theory in the illegality of demagging your card is correct, in practice it doesn’t hold water. Sam ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/52 "2004-12-02T19:18:44Z")
How many people read **Figimingle** ’s link? [Here it is again](http://www.we-swipe.us/research.html), because I thought it was very useful. From that link: > [@](#): > > Only in New Hampshire and Texas are businesses not allowed to save data scanned from drivers’ licenses. My friend, **The\_Raven** , now you have yet another reason to come do all your alcohol shopping in the Great State of New Hampshire. Bienvenue! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/53 "2004-12-02T19:31:45Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Michigan’s new drivers’ licenses have your picture reproduced in the top right corner, a bit smaller. If you’re over 21, the image is right side up, but if you’re under 21, the image is rotated 90 degrees so it’s on its side (it might be a vice versa [flipped if you’re over 21], I can’t recall since I got my last license just a month before they switched over to that format). I think this is a cool idea because you can tell at a glance whether they’re old enough instead of having to take a little longer to look at the specific date (or swipe the card, which I agree sucks). In Virginia, those who are under 21 get a profile shot while 21 or over get a standard picture. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Raven\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@The\_Raven\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Raven_1)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/54 "2004-12-02T19:59:58Z")
> [@LilyoftheValley](#): > > My friend, **The\_Raven** , now you have yet another reason to come do all your alcohol shopping in the Great State of New Hampshire. Bienvenue! Thanks for the invite, **Lily**! My company’s right on the MA/NH border, and I do occasionally stock up on the far more reasonably priced cigarettes, but I’ve found that keeping mass quantities of either of my poisons du jour on hand can lead to excessive consumption, if ya know what I mean. Particularly the cigarettes. I will say that it is truly a sign of civilization that folks in NH can buy beer at the supermarket along with the rest of their groceries. Of course, the supermarket wants you to present their “Super Duper Ex-Sav-A-Ganza” data collection card at the checkout, lest you get ripped off by paying an extra $2.00/lb for that steak. [Old dude narrating “Conan the Barbarian”] But that is a story for another time! [/ODNCTB] -Rav ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/55 "2004-12-02T20:28:37Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > Evidence? What evidence? There is no conceivable evidence that could differentiate between a stripe that has been wiped intentionally or accidentally. They can’t hold you without probable cause, and a technology failure is not probable cause. I’m not a cop or a lawyer, so this is speculation on my part. I don’t think intentionally vs unintentionally is the issue. Suppose your driver’s license began to delaminate, you didn’t do anything on purpose but after sending it through the wash by accident it started to come apart. If you presented it to a cop as ID, he or she might want to hold you until they could verify that the information on the card checked out. The cards are designed to show evidence if they layers have been pulled apart in an effort to tamper with the ID. It’s a technology failure on a system that is designed to thwart tampering. Similarly, if the mag strip was unusable, they might want to take extra steps to ensure that the ID hadn’t been altered in some way. This isn’t accusing you of a crime, but it is taking necessary steps to validate an ID. If the mag strip is there as a tool for verification, and it has been wiped, the the cops may very well take reasonable measures to ensure the data on the card is still correct. This isn’t about charging you with a crime, this is about being able to verify someone’s identity. You can certainly make good arguements about whether this is the right way to go, but once you accept that the cops have a right to verify your identity in certain situations, any irregularities in your ID are going to raise flags. Whether you get charged with a crime or not is further down the road, this is just about establishing ID. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/56 "2004-12-02T20:47:17Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > This isn’t about charging you with a crime, this is about being able to verify someone’s identity. You can certainly make good arguements about whether this is the right way to go, but once you accept that the cops have a right to verify your identity in certain situations, any irregularities in your ID are going to raise flags. Whether you get charged with a crime or not is further down the road, this is just about establishing ID. The cops can enter my driver’s license number and get the same information that is stored on the stripe. If it matches what is printed on the license, what other irregularities are they interested in? ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/57 "2004-12-02T21:16:05Z")
> [@The\_Raven](#): > > Of course, the supermarket wants you to present their “Super Duper Ex-Sav-A-Ganza” data collection card at the checkout, lest you get ripped off by paying an extra $2.00/lb for that steak. Despite my generally liberal/libertarian leanings, I’ve never been the slightest bit bothered if the supermarket tracks what I buy. Why should I care? How is that going to allow them to take advantage of me in any fashion? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Raven\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@The\_Raven\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Raven_1)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/58 "2004-12-02T21:51:06Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Despite my generally liberal/libertarian leanings, I’ve never been the slightest bit bothered if the supermarket tracks what I buy. Why should I care? How is that going to allow them to take advantage of me in any fashion? Howyadoin, I pretty much agree with you regarding supermarket “discount” cards, insofar as the data collected is pretty benign. I was just mentioning them as another beer-purchasing-preference data collection device. [hijack] What I don’t like is the fact that the supermarket’s “price without card” often seems ridiculously higher than a normal price, while the “discount” price is usually only slightly lower than the everyday price. Because of this anyone shopping without a card is going to get hosed. It’s another example of the “We’re gonna stick it up your ass, and you’re gonna like it” mentality that business feels free to exercise these days… [/hijack] -Rav ---
**Author:** ![RazzBaronZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@RazzBaronZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RazzBaronZ)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648/59 "2004-12-02T22:44:43Z")
I’m not 21 yet but my sister’s bf a couple of years back used to go to clubs with her. They swiped IDs in order to check ages. A week or two later, they both received the same spam in the postal mail about clubs and events like that. /it’s definitely a marketing ploy because they never signed in or gave their addresses anywhere else. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scan-my-license-wtf/277648.md?page=2)