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Original poster

Optional National ID cards - would you get one if they came back?

103 replies

Libertyy · 22/12/2023 11:33

If this was another alternative to the current system we have and you could choose which organisations you would be okay with sharing your information automatically with (and those you didn’t would ask you for ID in line with the current system), would you get one? I hold a national id card for a developing country and I personally don’t mind them - I find my life would be a lot easier just showing an ID card. Would you prefer this system?

OP posts:
TroysMammy · 22/12/2023 15:56

I would be happy with one as my passport expired years ago and I'll only get it renewed if I decide to go abroad which is unlikely in the near future and my driving licence is a paper one and I have no intention of changing my name or moving.

TooBored1 · 22/12/2023 16:23

Why not use the Citizen Card?

Needmorelego · 22/12/2023 16:26

@TooBored1 is the Citizen Card nationally recognised as ID that can be used on things like internal flights or getting married?
I always thought it was just a proof of age card but not really "proper" ID 🤔

enchantedsquirrelwood · 22/12/2023 16:32

Yes definitely, but only if they were taken as the only ID you needed to eg open a bank account or start a job. None of this having to find a utility bill that is less than 3 months old nonsense (which you don't have anyway because it's online).

It would also need to be cheap - like £20 max for 10 years.

I can't really see why they can't do a version of the driving licence without the driving bit on it.

TooBored1 · 23/12/2023 11:05

Needmorelego · 22/12/2023 16:26

@TooBored1 is the Citizen Card nationally recognised as ID that can be used on things like internal flights or getting married?
I always thought it was just a proof of age card but not really "proper" ID 🤔

Have you looked at the website? It's an ID card that can be used for travel etc. It doesn't specifically mention getting married but I can't see why not?

Needmorelego · 23/12/2023 11:11

@TooBored1 thanks. I will have a look.
Why don't the government promote this card more if it's essentially what can be used as a general multi purpose ID card?
In order to get married I needed photo ID. My passport was 5 years out of date so they wouldn't accept it. I don't drive so no license. I was essentially told I needed to get a new passport. Which I did. That passport is now out of date and never been used as an actual passport 😂
I feel a bit "had" if I could have just got a Citizen's Card.

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 23/12/2023 11:11

No need for it imo? The only time I need proof of id is to go to the tip and I have my drivers licence for that. I also rarely go to the tip.

Needmorelego · 23/12/2023 11:13

@Whatevershallidowithmylife but what if you didn't have a driver's license?

TLDRfuckers · 23/12/2023 11:15

Hard no, and Tony Blair can fuck right off too.

TheCatfordCat · 23/12/2023 11:20

No. I don't have a driving license but they can look up my passport (yes, I had a lovely time in Rome, thank you).

Needmorelego · 23/12/2023 11:25

@TheCatfordCat what if you don't have a passport or a driving licence?
That's the thing - there needs to be a clear standard government ID card available to those who don't have passport or driving license rather than vague ones like Citizens Card or whatever.
But definitely NOT compulsory.

KnittedCardi · 23/12/2023 11:33

It should be really easy. All of your information is already stored and linked. Your passport, driving license, tax is already all connected and readily available on-line. Just issue a card off what they already have, free.

KnittedCardi · 23/12/2023 11:34

TheNoonBell · 22/12/2023 14:33

No. I am not government property.

But I assume you want to benefit from government provided services. It goes both ways.

Needmorelego · 23/12/2023 11:36

@KnittedCardi as I said upthread - yes. Just put what info they have on one credit card size card.
If you need a proper passport for travel then you would have to get that separately.
It annoys me that in order to do something like rent a flat you need to pay out for a passport for ID when most of the payment is for a cardboard (blue😂) cover and a bunch of fancy pages. Unless you are travelling abroad - you don't need that.

Tzimi · 23/12/2023 11:47

I don't know why this country never went for ID cards! Every other European country has them, & they are free or very cheap to obtain. You can use them for voting, shopping, & many other things. People grumble about how expensive passports & driving licenses are, yet don't want free photo ID cards!

mumda · 23/12/2023 12:02

Which other countries have a national ID card that you have to carry around?

CaffiSaliMali · 23/12/2023 13:25

I am medically unfit to drive so an ID card would be useful for me, otherwise I have to carry my passport which I'd prefer not to do in case it gets lost/stolen.

I find I have to use ID a lot. To open new bank accounts, to remortgage, to get married etc. I also had to show ID last time I voted (I think my area was in the trial for voter ID).

Earlier this year DH was unable to buy alcohol in the supermarket. He was asked for ID, showed his drivers license and then they asked for mine. I wasn't the one purchasing, but they refused to serve him 'in case she's underage and you're buying alcohol for her' (I'm in my 30s and there's no way I can pass for 17 or younger).

I've also been ID'd when purchasing knives and paracetamol. A few years ago I was asked for ID when purchasing a 12 film.

I don't think ID cards should be compulsory but a nationally recognised one would be useful for anyone unable to drive and who doesn't need a passport.

mumda · 23/12/2023 15:55

@useitorlose
I knew France. I've heard a french journalist say that's the reason the migrants are so keen to come to the UK.

BobnLen · 23/12/2023 16:05

It would be very useful especially as I am getting older and realise that lots of older people don't have driving licences and don't need a passport. There was a thing on Martin Lewis show that some people couldn't open a particular savings account for those on benefits as they hadn't ID in the form of a passport or driving licence

MrsMoastyToasty · 23/12/2023 16:12

We just needed to upgrade the National Insurance Cards before they actually stopped printing cards and started sending letters with your NINO.

NaughtybutNice77 · 23/12/2023 16:13

glittercunt · 22/12/2023 11:34

In some ways it sounds useful, but I don't trust this government not to have several accidental GDPR breaches.

Exactly this.

BobnLen · 23/12/2023 16:18

It would be best if it was optional but we really need a form of ID that lets people do everything a Passport or driving licence does without the expense and people being excluded for health reasons.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 28/12/2023 00:23

Needmorelego · 22/12/2023 11:43

I don't see why there can't be a credit size card with exactly the information that is on a passport.
Most of a passport is just pages for visas and stamps - but if you aren't travelling abroad you don't actually need that. The bio-whatsit information and photo is on one page - so why can't you just have that on a card for ID purposes?

Ireland has this. It’s an optional extra to buy a passport card when you get a new passport and can be used for lots of countries.

EasyID is a digital identity app and is the only one currently government certified for security standards. It’s accepted as formal ID by lots of places incl supermarkets for proof of age. Even handier than a card if you are out and about.

ActuallyChristmas · 28/12/2023 00:24

Only because of stupid new voting in person rules