Reading Festival: do 16 year olds need ID?

[januarysnowdrop]

I'm confused by the website: it says that ID may be required on entrance to the event & that age checks will be carried out at the gates. Obviously I get why over 18s need to take ID if they want to buy alcohol but does my 16 yo dd really need to take her passport with her to prove she's old enough to be there unaccompanied?

Would a 16-17 railcard do the trick if they need to check her age? It's not listed as acceptable ID but then it looks as though the list provided is for those needing to prove they're over 18, which obviously she doesn't.

Anyone have experience of this? I'd much rather she keeps her valuables to an absolute minimum & she definitely doesn't want us going with her.

Are 16 allowed to go to the festival without an adult?

I think they potentially need to be be able to prove they are 16 to gain entry without an adult.

You've left it too late this year but I urge anyone else reading this to get a provisional driving licence as soon as your DC turns 15y9m (which is the earliest they can apply) as this will come up again and again for concerts and other events. Once they have a provisional, it's no issue.

A few years back when DD went we had the same dilemma. I think she took photocopies of her passport and birth certificate plus a bank card - so three "official" things with her name on. But I lurked in Reading with the actual passport in hand, after dropping them off, until she was through the gates with the festival wristband on her wrist, just in case.

I don't believe they checked anyway, but it would have been a disaster if they'd refused to let her in with her various photocopies.

Thanks @Angie147836 that's a really helpful suggestion about the provisional licence because as you say, it's bound to come up again. I think I'll make her take photos of her passport & birth certificate & just keep my fingers crossed they don't demand the original documents on the gate.

Was wondering the same. Mine has photos of his passport. His sister had her provisional by now but I can’t remember if they checked. Ahhh so many questions. Wonder if we should form a Reading group? I’m a bit nervous about it all, although he’s a sensible boy, on the whole.

Apparently they do check ID and do not accept copies ie photos on iPhones or a paper photocopy. Which is bloody annoying

Better to take the passport and keep it zipped in their bumbag. It’s not ideal but they do check and kids can be turned away- might not happen but it might. DS’s friends who didn’t have licences all took passports.

There is an app called Yoti that validates is docs and is widely accepted. It was accepted at Boardmasters but it's a risk it won't be at Reading and bear in mind phone reception is terrible.

Most youngsters carrying bum bags over their shoulders (esp the boys).

They need id because under 15 should be with an adult.

Btw sounds obvious but if there are sniffer dogs checking for drugs tell your kids not to touch them.