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> but I don't see how you can do that in the US as there aren't ID cards or similar forms of universally available ID.

How so? Aren’t there multiple options available?

There are many available but people are not required to have one (unless driving, etc.)

Yeah when I lived in NYC, I came across a lot of people who didn’t have licenses but used other IDs from local government agencies.

Interesting! What other kinds of ID are there?

In many states you can use a library card from a public library for ID in some instances.

IDs are used for many things other than driving, like:

(1) buying alcohol / entering bars

(2) flying

(3) voting (in certain states)

(4) a doctor's appointment

(5) picking up a prescription

(6) withdrawing cash at a bank

(7) touring an apartment you might lease (for the leasing agents' safety)

(8) returning items at a store if you don't have a receipt (as an anti-fraud measure)

Yes. Those are all excellent reasons to have an ID.

And reasons one might be required to already have one, since those are all common things.