Showing a UK driving licence (note the spelling) in the US is a real blast. I love doing it.
"ID".
"Is my driving licence alright ?"
"Yeah".
"Here we are"
"What the heck's this. There's no goddam photograph".
I hear (above and elsewhere) that German licences are the same. Fortunately this has been a key issue in preventing the spread of "ID, ID" at every point you go to, as most people in the UK do not have any ID on them. You are not even obliged to carry the licence with you when driving - another fact that some from overseas find surprising.