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!

[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.

[Kano]

Maybe they're just so used to asking for drivers' licenses?

I scanned my drivers license and health insurance card, printed a couple of copies and keep one in my camelbak and one in my saddle bag on the bike.


Karen in Boise

[GLC1968]

I have a road ID on my shoes. I also carry my DL, a credit card, a copy of my insurance card and some cash (If I can find any!) in a Jimi in my jersey pocket. As soon as I get back from a ride, I toss it in my purse because I have been caught without them more than once when running an errand after biking!

This is the Jimi - it keeps my sweat from yucking up my stuff.

http://www.thejimi.com/wallet/index.php

I don't think it's a requirement to have a photo ID on you at all times, but its certainly a good idea. It seems a bit weird that the cop would ask for a DL if you aren't driving though.