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Comment by ruune | Hacker News Reader

Another reason why a simple ID which only purpose is being an ID might be useful. No more non-driver drivers licenses

A lot of people do get those currently, just ID cards for non-drivers, also issued through the DMV. Adults need them for various things like voting, food stamps, etc. But I've never heard of a child needing an ID card (aside from travelling abroad), although they could probably (?) get one if they needed - maybe they don't issue them to people under 18 cause there hasn't been any need

I’m fairly certain every state issues (non-DL) state ID at any age people want to apply for it (some, but not all, states require parental approval), but people rarely need them except as adults are maybe late teens (a working teen non-driver may need one.)

ISTR that like DLs, state IDs are a net revenue source, so bills that require more people to get them in practice are, in net effect, tax bills (and because they are closer to capitations than even a flat tax, are regressive tax bills.)

>But I've never heard of a child needing an ID card (aside from travelling abroad)

You've never heard of a child needing an ID? Really?

When I was a teenager, teenagers were expecting to earn an income and contribute some of that income to family expenses. To get a job you need and ID and working papers. You got both from the DMV.

Is the idea of a summer job really that outrageous nowadays?

In Haiti, you can only get an ID card when you become an adult at 18. Anything that requires identification would need your birth certificate and the presence of your parents as you can’t be bound legally otherwise.

Apparently you can also get those under 18. It just feels like a band aid fix, but it's probably good enough, so better spend the millions another ID would cost on actual problems

State ID's have all the same data as a drivers license. The only missing bits are the vehicle class endorsements.

Is that not the status quo? My DMV will absolutely issue me a non-driver ID card if that's what I want.

Don't you have in the US an ID card separate from driving license?

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