Driver's License

[bacarver]

I recently had an encounter with some teenagers (see crazy drivers) while I was riding. The police officer I spoke with asked me for my driver's license. This sounded weird to me because I wasn't driving my car. I was riding my bike. Bikes are expected to follow the rules of the road but it never occurred to me to carry my auto license.
I do wear a Road ID bracelet in case of emergency.
How many of you take your driver's license with you when you're out riding? I guess it is a good idea (if I can remember to grab it and put it in my underseat pouch).
Barb

[kelownagirl]

I only take mine if I'm riding alone because it's my only ID.

[Zen]

it never occurred to me. I don't think I'd want to carry my license, maybe a photocopy.

[michelem]

I always carry my drivers license, health insurance card, "in case of emergency please contact" info (written on a ratty piece of paper - I need to rewrite and get it laminated or something), and a phone card (which, won't do me any good if there aren't any pay phones around). I keep these in a jersey pocket.

[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!

[TexanCzexican]

Found this on http://www.flexyourrights.org/freque...d_questions#07 :

7. When do I have to show ID?

This is a tricky issue. As a general principle, citizens who are minding their own business are not obligated to "show their papers" to police. In fact, there is no law requiring citizens to carry identification of any kind.

Nonetheless, carrying an ID is required when you’re driving or flying. Driving without a license is a crime, and no one is allowed to board an airplane without first presenting an ID. These requirements have been upheld on the premise that individuals who prefer not to carry ID can choose not to drive or fly.

From here, ID laws only get more complicated. In Hiibel v. Sixth Judicial District Court of Nevada, the Supreme Court upheld state laws requiring citizens to disclose their identity to police when officers have reasonable suspicion to believe criminal activity may be taking place. Commonly known as 'stop and identify' statutes, these laws permit police to arrest criminal suspects who refuse to identify themselves.

Currently the following states have stop and identify laws: AL, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, IL, KS, LA, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NV, NY, ND, RI, UT, VT, WI

Regardless of your state's law, keep in mind that police can never compel you to identify yourself without reasonable suspicion to believe you're involved in criminal activity. Rather than asking the officer if he/she has reasonable suspicion, test it yourself by asking if you're free to go.

If the officer says you’re free to go, leave immediately and refrain from answering any additional questions.

If the officer detains you, you'll have to decide whether withholding your identity is worth the possibility of arrest or a prolonged detention. In cases of mistaken identity, revealing who you are might help to resolve the situation quickly. On the other hand, if you're on parole in California, for example, revealing your identity could lead to a legal search. Knowing your state's laws can help you make the best choice.

Keep in mind that the officer's decision to detain you will not always hold up in court. ‘Reasonable suspicion' is a vague evidentiary standard, which lends itself to mistakes on the officer's part. If you're searched or arrested following an officer's ID request, always contact an attorney to discuss the incident and explore your legal options.

[Jo-n-NY]

In Manhattan, it is the law to have a bell or horn & light when riding. You are not allowed to ride on the sidewalk. You can get fined for all of these. So if you get stopped for one of these reasons, they person will be asked for an id and if he doesn't have it, he or she will be taken in. The rookies need to get summons and arrests under their belt so need less to say, they will act on these.

~ JoAnn

[7rider]

I'm no lawyer, don't even pretend to play one on t.v.
But...
TexanCzexican noted that some states have laws that require "citizens to disclose their identity to police when officers have reasonable suspicion to believe criminal activity may be taking place."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but even if you did do something against the law on your bike, aren't those CIVIL infractions, and not CRIMINAL?
Running a red light on your bike = civil
Using your bike to purse snatch = criminal.
Yes??

Regardless....I carry my ID only because I want someone to be able to identify my body if I should buy the farm on a ride. And I carry my insurance card so they'll have what they need if I survive and end up in a hospital. Warped, perhaps, but ....c'est la vie.

[Grog]

In the province of Quebec, Canada, infractions on the public roadway caused by a cyclist can result in "penalty points" on that cyclist's driving record (if the person has a driving record). Not sure what happens to those who don't have one.

I did not have a driver's licence until I was 24. In Quebec that never caused me problems but I have had issues in other provinces/states where it seemed impossible that a grown-up human being would not produce a DL when asked for ID... *sigh*