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Comment by AndrewDavis | Hacker News Reader

>We made this thing you only need while driving

Drivers licences in Australia are the de-facto ID. Including proof of age to purchase cigarettes/alcohol, many bars scan IDs as you enter in case you cause damage or start a fight. To proving identity for a variety of things including (but not limited to) new phone plans, bank accounts, etc.

Most Aussies carry their drivers licence with them everywhere.

Regarding the stationary part. Though it varies state by state, my state (Victoria) considers it an offence to use your phone while stationary. If the vehicle is legally parked and engine off you're fine. This is to cover those using their phone while stuck in traffic.

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I am curious to know how the Uber/Lyft drivers operate with such laws. Often they need to access maps, how does the law apply to such drivers?

Concessions exist for operating a mounted GPS device or phone.

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/driver...

That's Victoria, similar laws in NSW. Technically though, using NFC to buy Mcdonalds in the drive through is illegal.

Actually, you are in control of the vehicle if you're in the driver's seat with the key in the ignition, engine on or not.

That may be true, but is not the language used in the phone legislation:

> (1) The driver of a vehicle must not use a mobile phone while the vehicle is moving, or is stationary but not parked [...]

http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/rr2014...

> Drivers licences in Australia are the de-facto ID. […] Most Aussies carry their drivers licence with them everywhere.

Same as in the USA.

Most days, I only carry my driver's license because, despite a head of rapidly graying hair, I might need it to buy tobacco. Otherwise, what the hell do I need a license for when I ride the scooter/bicycle to work?

I can already leave all of my cards at home when I go to work, save that license, because the gas station that cards me when they sell me tobacco also takes NFC payments. Digitize that license, and I can just carry my phone even when I drive to work.

Sometimes if I go for a walk or to the park without my wallet I feel like a criminal. I have the misfortune of living in one of the states where going out in public without ID is illegal.

At least it was the last time I looked at the ACLU web site.

Are you speaking of the AZ "show me your papers" law? As a white guy, I would so not carry ID. I can afford lawyers and a few nights in jail to make a stink about it, and others might not be so fortunate. But, of course, I'm not the target so it's easy to be Anonymous Internet Justice Guy.

Not that it would be a massive change in my behavior. With NFC payments and wearable communications devices, a lot of times I leave the house with nothing but an Apple Watch on my wrist (and at a minimum, running shorts; you're welcome). Dog walk? What am I going to buy in our suburban neighborhood? Go for a run? Same difference, though if I run by a 7-11 I can buy a Gatorade with my watch. I ass-u-me the EMTs know how to get my medical ID on an Apple device. Soooo, I kinda don't need a wallet a lot of times. Is it legal in the state of WA? I have no reason to believe that it isn't, but OTOH I don't really care. You want to know who I am? We have a legal process for that, at which time I will have my ID fetched.

In NSW it is illegal to ride a bicycle on public roads without government issued photo id (normally a drivers licence).

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