OT discussion - location of my driver's license

You don't drive your house!!!!!!!!! why on earth would you consider keeping it in the house? Gen

Somebody might steal the car?

But then, frankly, if you keep it in your handbag, that might be even more risky...

I personally would never leave something like that in the car, not even locked up. But maybe that's just me.

Hanne in London

Where do you keep your driver's license, Gen?

Karen, Queen of Squishies, with a curious mind today

Identity theft. So far a driver's license is still a government- issued ID that can be used to board an airplane. It can also be used to open bank accounts in my name.

My motorcycle license was not a separate piece of paper or plastic. It was just an "M" on the regular license.

I'd never leave anything that valuable in my car. School books, yes. Groceries, yes. Not my official ID. My driver's license is in my purse and goes where I go when I leave the premises.

Kay Ahr > One of my spring-time ponderings I am day-dreaming about is that this year= I

Karen, you really should NOT leave your license in your vehicle due to theft reasons. Most insurance companies I know of recommend you not keep your vehicle's registration inside the vehicle either for the same purposes. And keep in mind, up until a couple of years ago, we kept the keys in the ignition in the driveway 24/7 (when not in use, obviously). We also have 4 exterior doors in our house and only ever lock the front one when we go to bed or are out of town. It's a nice little town we live in to be sure. I don't particularly worry about having my license with me at all times when I'm local - all the 'important' people know who I am anyhow. I just throw cash in my pocket and go on my merry way. You also DO need you license for ID purposes for any number of reasons. I keep mine in my wallet - but rarely keep money in the wallet, go figure!

Wow, to the best of my knowledge, in this country we are not required to carry ID on our person at all times. If we are, it's sure news (and bad news at that) to me!!

Karen, Queen of Squishies

Oh, my motorcycle will not be class M, but the new Illinois class L. It's a card separate from your driver's license.

Karen, Queen of Squishies

We had a police officer come give a safety talk to our HOA, and he recommended not keeping your lic. or reg anywhere in your car unless you're with it. Car thieves steal the car, get your garage door opener from the car, and get your address from the lic. or reg. :(

I don't know where to even look to find this out. I found this on wikipedia:

Many European countries and Canada require drivers to produce their licence on demand when driving. In such countries, the driver must always carry their licence on them when driving. In the United Kingdom, when required to produce a driving licence, the driver may have up to 7 days to produce the licence at a Police station.

which kind of implies you don't have to produce it at a moments notice in the US and because you can't assume everyone has a driver's license then you can't insist someone produces it. The kind of freak situations suggested, I don't think ID is likely to help anyway, I mean if they think you are a killer the very least they'll do is bring you to the station and take fingerprints.

Anne

A retired police officer told me that even though it's not required, people should ALWAYS have ID with them in case they are involved in an accident, taken to a hospital, and are unable to speak for themselves. It seems that the no-ID victim stuff happens with people out for walks and riding bikes, and is a huge headache for rescue personnel, hospitals, and police. Since he told me that, I always have ID! Additionally, several years ago I had a heart attack and have a pacemaker, so I wear an ID tag on a lanyard which has my name, address, says "pacemaker heart patient" and "medical records at" with the 800 number of the hospital. I also keep a spare house key on the lanyard and a wee little container of nitro pills. I made the ID tag at PetsMart -- it's actually a pet tag! Also, it you're an organ donor, carry that with you, too!

Howdy!

You're right, Karen. Carrying i.d. is not a law. It's a convenience. However, it's much easier to break in & search thru' all the contents in your car than in your house. (I don't keep "valuables" in my car.) Identity theft, as others have said: that's the main concern. Btw, the police say it's easier to rootle thru' your house when the thieves know you're not home; they find your i.d. in your car somewhere else (not home!) and figure that's where you are, somewhere near your car, and not home. So off they go to help themselves at your house. This is one reason I keep my house key on a different ring, away from my car key. And my i.d. in another place. ;-) It's a little thing but it can make a significant difference, to protect your i.d. (card).

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I have this adorable little quilter's pocket/wallet that a favorite quilter friend made; almost no bulk to it, and the perfect place to slip in the i.d., insurance card, $, notes.

R/Sandy

Oh I'm not taking any of this personally, Connie, not at all. And yes, you do get a ticket and then they remove it. I don't mind in the least carrying my license. I'm just enjoying creating a discussion today. : ^ }

Karen, Queen of Squishies

I have one too, and it fits right into my pocket! Wonderful little wallet, that.

Karen, Queen of Squishies

Somewhat along these lines of this discussion, don't leave your car keys or your id in your coat pocket when you leave your coat on a rack someplace (other than home, of course). This is especially true if you have a remote entry system on your car. There was an incident locally a year or so ago where a car thief went through coats hanging on a coat rack in a church, found a set of keys with a remote, was able to quickly find the car in the parking lot, and drive it away.

Julia > Howdy!

Indeed, that's the kicker. So I will not keep my license in my car, but continue to keep it in the house, thereby having to remember! it when I leave. I spent so many years living in a small town where it was not an issue. Was hoping I had come up with a way around remembering. Guess not.

Karen, Queen of Squishies

But I really WAS hoping I had come up with a way around having to remember to grab my license and not just my keys. I've been spoiled by driving without it.

Karen, Queen of Squishies, living in small town USA

When people use their DL as an ID for writing a check or using a credit card, we joke with them that if the picture looked really good, we'd know it was a fake ID. If it's real, the picture will look like you've been standing in line for two hours on a hot day and gotten a surly clerk. ;-)

It isn't unusual in SC to be riding along ---not on a 4 lane road---and see cars stopped where they are having a drivers license check. Well, they last time I saw that was about 5 years ago. I always have my license when I am driving. Barbara in SC during the summer