Originally Posted by
Aviatrix
But this makes life awkward for Brits in countries where carrying ID is compulsory - i.e., the choice is between carrying one's (bulky) passport, or carrying something which may or may not be accepted by the authorities in other countries (such as a driving licence).
Americans are sort of in the same situation. But my valid US passports have been refused as ID in Europe by some police and by some stores and banks when I have been there in person. Rather bizarre given that in other circumstances their colleagues at other locations would accept the same US passport as ID for me.
It has resulted in some bizarre situations where I get a local lawyer -- who may have just met me -- to say that my passport is mine. And then the police would finally accept my passport for a given purpose, even though the same law enforcement agency had accepted my passport and me before and after for other purposes.