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No, UK not only has no ID card but also doesn't have the equivalent of an SSN. The National Insurance number serves the same primary purpose as SSN, for associating tax payments, but it doesn't otherwise serve as a unique identifier for each citizen - it's not used on credit card applications for example. UK has lower %age of drivers than US due to strong public transport, so mandating a drivers license for ID isn't feasible.

The UK just bought in new ID rules for voting which bizarrely allow for things like a senior citizen rail card to be used. (it's being brought in by our conservative government for same reason as US - to disenfranchise certain voter blocks - hence why a senior citizen rail card is fine but a youth or normal adult one is not)



In the US we say "driver's license" because 90+% of the population has one, but the portion of the population who doesn't wish to drive can get a State ID card. The only difference between an ID card and a driver's license is on the back where it lists what types of vehicles you are allowed to drive and what types of restrictions have been placed on your driving them.

In the UK how do you prevent minors from buying alcohol if you don't have some sort of ID with DOB on it?


If they have no ID, no sale


> The UK just bought in new ID rules for voting which bizarrely allow for things like a senior citizen rail card to be used.

Yepp, Oyster 60+ Card is valid for voting, but a Student 18+ Card isn't


Voting is pretty bizarre. I voted for some local elections and they didn't even check my ID. I had to tell my name they checked my name on the list and I could vote. I could then come back a few hours later again in name of a flat mate of who was on vacation.


Ok but the UK is also an outlier.




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