Driver's License

[Mr. Bloom]

I always rode with a Driver's License, CreditCard and $20.

Later, I'd go to the store and realize that my wallet was missing a Driver's License, CreditCard and $20. So, I got a RoadID.

As you probably know, Indiana law only requires a license to operate a motor vehicle (unless it's a locomotive crossing a public road at a disignated rail crossing )

But, as you note, Indiana law also says that a cyclist has the same responsibilities as the operator of a motor vehicle...hmmm So, there's a little inconsistency....but it's very specific on who IS required to have license and a pedalcyclist is not listed.

I suspect the cop really wanted to establish your identity (since you were complaining about someone's behavior) and didn't have a strong basis in law to expect you to have it.

But, I'm not a lawyer (although I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once).

[7rider]

I went to a conference recently where, at check-in, we got a little pouch with a neck lanyard to hold our "Hello, my name is..." card. It is perfectly sized to hold my driver's license, health insurance card, credit card, $10 (I rarely have a $20 on me! ), and cell phone. It fits in my jersey pocket and goes into my pocket book when I'm done riding...so I don't walk into a store and realize I forgot everything!

[Jo-n-NY]

In NYC, I am not sure about Long Island people have to have and ID all the time. I do not think it has to be a drivers licence since people like my mother in law do not drive.

No ID....you get taken in. I wonder if the "road ID" is considered a valid ID. I do not ride here in the city, but you post got me thinking.

~ JoAnn

[SouthernBelle]

I carry my old license in my saddle bag.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I wear my RoadID and carry some emergency cash. No driver's license.

But I do have a story from many years ago... an acquaintance was stopped by police while riding his bike. He was asked for and provided his driver's license. He was actually written up for a moving violation, and he had a hard time convincing his (car) insurance carrier that the violation shouldn't go against his driving record. They were trying to raise his insurance rates.

I realize this sounds a bit far-fetched, but I didn't make it up (my imagination just isn't that good!).

--- Denise

[VeloVT]

No ID....you get taken in. I wonder if the "road ID" is considered a valid ID. I do not ride here in the city, but you post got me thinking.

~ JoAnn

Probably not, usually ID in the context you're describing has to be government-issued.

Southernbelle, I like your idea of carrying an expired DL in your seatbag. Then you have your government ID but you never have to worry about getting caught with your ID not in your wallet... (I was recently buying dinner goodies for bf's birthday, mousse cake was outside in the hot car, and was prevented from buying champagne bc my id was in my bike wallet. I'm 27 for heaven's sake -- not anywhere near underage. Let's say I was slightly put out).

[TexanCzexican]

Southernbelle, I like your idea of carrying an expired DL in your seatbag.

In Texas, when you renew your license at the DMV they cut it in half, so this may not work in all states

I always carry my license, insurance card and $5-$10. I plan to get Road ID, but will probably still carry my license....I thought all adults had to have a photo id on them at all times......

[mimitabby]

I usually carry my license as ID on longer rides. Having said this, there's a big lawsuit going on in Wyoming, Montana or Colorado (I forget). Some cowboy got into an altercation along the side of the road. He was NOT driving. The police stopped asked for his driver's license and he either didn't have it or wouldn't show it and they took him to jail. He says that since he wasn't driving he didn't need it. I got into a big discussion with a group of men and women. Most of the women said if they were out walking they did NOT carry a license and the guys tended to think you needed to have it. There's no law (yet) that says you have to carry ID in this country but police don't necessarily care.

[indigoiis]

There's no law (yet) that says you have to carry ID in this country but police don't necessarily care.

There's no law to keep them from asking for it, yet, either.

But you do not have to give it to them if you are not operating a motor vehicle.

[BadgerGirl]

I usually carry my license as ID on longer rides. Having said this, there's a big lawsuit going on in Wyoming, Montana or Colorado (I forget). Some cowboy got into an altercation along the side of the road. He was NOT driving. The police stopped asked for his driver's license and he either didn't have it or wouldn't show it and they took him to jail. He says that since he wasn't driving he didn't need it. I got into a big discussion with a group of men and women. Most of the women said if they were out walking they did NOT carry a license and the guys tended to think you needed to have it. There's no law (yet) that says you have to carry ID in this country but police don't necessarily care.

OK, I agree with the premise that you don't need to carry and DL if you are riding your bike because you are not driving. I used to carry it just for ID purposes before I got my Road ID and I need it to use my credit card (please see ID). But police officers generally ask for some sort of ID...and may accidently say DL just because usually this is what is given. For the guy in WY or MT...the officers needed to identify him and he was brought to jail because they didn't have any positive ID on him. People lie all the time about who they are. If they could not fine some sufficient evidence about who he was, yes, they will arrest him and take photos and fingerprints to establish a base identification or determine if he is using another persons identification.

Not that I have been lied to before in my job...

[Running Mommy]

Probably not, usually ID in the context you're describing has to be government-issued.

Southernbelle, I like your idea of carrying an expired DL in your seatbag. Then you have your government ID but you never have to worry about getting caught with your ID not in your wallet... (I was recently buying dinner goodies for bf's birthday, mousse cake was outside in the hot car, and was prevented from buying champagne bc my id was in my bike wallet. I'm 27 for heaven's sake -- not anywhere near underage. Let's say I was slightly put out).

In AZ our DL's are good for like 30 years, so it would be quite awhile before I'd get a new one!

[SouthernBelle]

In most states traffic infractions are "quasi-criminal" in nature. Fines and jail time are punitive. Here in Tennessee driving on revoked is an automatic 2 days in jail.

[chickwhorips]

In AZ our DL's are good for like 30 years, so it would be quite awhile before I'd get a new one!

I got mine when I was sixteen and vowed I wouldn't get a new one till I got old so I always had that picture, well I moved and had to give it up. I thought it was a good idea, but I know people who's IDs wore out on them after a few years.

I use to carry my DL with me until I got my road ID. I kept forgetting to put it back in my purse. Now I wear my road ID and take my cell phone in case of emergency.

[aicabsolut]

Stop and identify laws do not mean you are required to show photo identification. You must provide your name. Of course, it isn't going to do you any good if you lie, but you don't have to have your ID on you. However, if you DO have it with you, it might be wise to show it. In contrast, in Europe, you are required to carry an official ID around with you, and this applies to visitors. You may be stopped for any reason and asked to produce identification. Not that I've ever seen this done, but it's legal.

As for conduct on your bicycle and criminal activity, the two don't have to be related. Perhaps a perp was seen on or with a certain bike. Perhaps you're in street clothes riding around on your commuter and something about you matches the description of someone they are looking for in your area. Those are legit reasons to stop you under suspicion of criminal activity, and it has nothing to do with whether you broke any traffic laws or whatnot. Traffic laws are not civil infractions, but they are crimes in that they involve fines or other punishments and are enforced by the government. They aren't civil actions just because you won't get carted off to jail for running a stop sign.