Use of old license as ID
 

For years the normal place for my drivers license was in its own designated spot in my wallet. The only time it was removed was for renting cars or those really rare times I was pulled over. With the recent insanity I have had to take it out and put it somewhere multiple times during a single trip through the airport. Of course it was not in its usual place when I arrived at the rental counter two times and panic nearly set in while I searched my wallet, my pants pockets, my shirt pocket and finally the inner pocket of my jacket. Figuring that sooner or later the lost license would be permanent I got my last license, punched a hole in it and wore it around my neck lanyard style. This worked fine until yesterday going through SLC. The DL agent told me that expired licenses were not valid to board the plane. My understanding was the purpose of the ID was to verify identity and I don't think that has changed since the license was issued. I am not asking to drive the airplane or even to drive a rental car on arrival with the ID. All I am trying to do is verify that I am the person authorized to travel on that ticket. She stated that it was an FAA regulation that the license be current. Can anyone point me in the direction of that law or lack thereof. I do not relish the prospect of arriving at my destination without my license and I feel that it is just a matter of time for that to happen with the current situation.

Indeed, my understanding is that an expired license is not a valid form of ID.

Do you have a passport? If not, I'd get one immediately! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Doc:

I do but most of my travel is domestic and I am trying to simplify what I carry and what is subject to loss.

Why is the old license not adequate to prove I am me?

I'm not exactly sure what the logic is behind not allowing an expired form of id. Its not like they need a current address on the id. But, to help ease your anxiety over losing your license (which I totally understand), I'd recommend getting a state id card and punching a whole in that.

My license stays right where it is. I just flip my wallet open so they can see it and read it. Have not had to take it out for security yet. Of course I have now just jinxed myself http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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I understand! Yet you're using logic! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'm inclined to agree, but the date is a real issue, sadly.

For me, a passport is harder to lose as it is larger! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I agree that there is no reason an expired license shouldn't be OK. And with all the awkward, hands-full times we have to pull it out, I agree that losing it is a real concern.

I still dont see where anyone has been able to provide the reference to where an ID must be current, I had the same issue (on DL) a few years back. I've made sure since then to have something current, but what "if" I lose it and only have an expired one on me..

I routinely use an expired license as ID, and have yet to be challenged.

We had a 2 page thread about this on the Delta forum.
How do I post a link to it as I see others do? The faq section didn't really help me.

The State Department has told me in the past that expired US passports may be used as a valid form of ID. They just cannot be used for travel.

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Perhaps yet I personally know of at least one case where this type of "expired" ID was not accepted! Then what? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I may be wrong, but I believe that Arizona drivers' licenses do not expire. (At least those issued some time ago).

Since 9/11 this has probably changed. In general, state DMVs appear to have become more strict with all sorts of things that used to be permissible. MA, for one, now requires that the last name on the driver's license match exactly with the name on your Social Security card.

Expired passports (both Canadian and American) are valid for travel to/from Canada and the United States for a period of five years from the date of expiry. If you can cross an international border with an expired document, my thinking is you should be able to board an airplane. I reckon the five year rule is to ensure that the photograph does not get too much out of date.

Just get a state ID card or another DL

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At 6'6" -'coach' is a dirty word!

I don't know how your state does it, but in Alaska you can have a state ID card as well as a drivers license. A buddy of mine just went down to the DMV, paid the how many ever $ fee and got himself a state ID. He uses it as his primary form of ID and only uses the DL when he needs it.

-Robert

For most states, your expired drivers license IS a valid form of ID for a minimum of SIX months past its expiry date (even for driving). The reason for this is simple, many states do not issue new licences on the spot. They instead issue a flimsy piece of paper that has a validity for anywhere between 2 and 6 months so that you have a "valid" license while waiting for your "photo" license to arrive. As many of these states in fact technically require a photo on the license, the paper license is nothing more than a "receipt" that you have in fact applied and been accepted for a new license. In fact these security idiots HAVE TO in fact accept your expired license as they CANNOT by law accept a paper temp license if it does not have a photo. SOLUTION: Demand that a police officer be brought forward to verify your ID (after six months they may have a case against you).

Erdoc, simply get a replacement Drivers License and whola, you now have two, with neither being expired, so punch away on one. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I would see about the State Id. That would solve your problem.

Here's the difinitive answer to the ID question from the FAA!

Let me reveal the secret, as I learned it from a wizened old master atop a mountain just before the battery in his laptop died.

If you have a PC, right-click on the window of the thread. Then select Properties. The URL will be shown. For example, this thread that you are reading is http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/006401.html

Select the URL, then Copy, then Paste it into your posting.

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Middle_Seat

I was in ATL twice last week - the announcement specified that drivers licenses should be removed from wallets and passports opened to the picture page.

[This message has been edited by flowerchild (edited 02-13-2002).]

Wrong. The permission to drive on public streets does expire, but the mere identity verification portion of a state ID, such as a driver license, never expirers. The airline employee was full of it. The expiration date on the ID has nothing to do with who you are. It only has to do with the particular driving privilege requirements of your state. There is nothing wrong with using your old DL for ID.

I have a license with a extension on the back. I only show the front through a window in my wallet. It seems hit or miss on different airports if they notify me that I have an expired license and ask to see the extension. DCA and some smaller airports that I have been to recently seem to be the ones to request to see the extension.

A license become invalid when it expires that's fair enough. The main reason is so if you give the expired ID to someone else they can't use it.

http://www.idcheckingguide.com/

According to the FAA site I am not even required (by them) to have a photo id.
http://cas.faa.gov/faq.html

That said if the hassle I got yesterday seems to be repeated I will get another copy of the license when I renew in a few months.

Dear ERDOC,

I started a thread on a subject very similar to yours a few days ago. Finally it happened that I 'joined' a new Sam's Club where the membership card has a photo. I am using this as my second ID where demanded. I don't carry my passport domestically as I agree with you about the need to cut down on the risk of loss.

I hate having my DL used as a form of ID. This is all getting too close to a national identity card.

How many of us are old enough to remember when a Social Security card said 'not to be used as a form of identifcation'?

I'm getting tense!

Find someone who knows the rules. Expired US PPs are valid ID and proof of US citizenship. The following is from a FAQ that may be found on the US State Dept website.

I have a few notes to add to this topic. I spent a few years in the banking industry and we all had to go through an extensive security class. There are significant challenges in dealing with an expired ID:

1. One of the most common forms of fraud is the use of an expired driver's licensev(DL)/state ID card. Expired documents are much easier to obtain than valid and current documents because not that much attention is given to these outdated items.

2. Hole Punch. Be careful, some states punch a hole in DL/ID cards to designate someone as an inmate. Now in light of some current threads in OMNI, I understand that some here are though of as criminals ( http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif ); however you may not want to do this.

3. Expired US Passport as citizenship proof. Yes it is valid to prove that you are a citizen, however merchants, banks and other businesses are not required to accept it as a "valid" i.d.

4. Removing your id. For agents that don't do this they should be fired. The oldest and easiest way to have a fake id is to drop a instant photo under the plastic on top of an id. Another thing removal does it help an agent to "feel" a fake. Many times a fake id has an uneven hump (around the picture) that you can instantly feel.

On a personal note, I don't think this topic makes any sense. If you were attacked or mugged and for some reason the only item you have is an expired id, well then I guess you have to figure out something. If your id has recently expired and you have not received the new document, get a paper copy of the renewal.

In general if you're complaining about having to remove your id too much, leaving it somewhere, etc. That's a pre-school problem and not the airlines.

I wouldn't count on this being th final word. The final word now rests with the person checking the ID. Argue and risk arrest. They know they can act like thugs. They know that if you are arrested, you have to hire a lawyer and possibly travel out of state to that city for trial.

Say words like "gun" or "bomb" and get arrested even if they were not used as threats. Say "Hello, Jack" or even "Greetings, Jack Smith", not "Hi, Jack!" are you risk arrest (actually happened!)

If you are afraid of losing your driver's license and they don't accept your expired ID, why don't you say "ok, I show you my current fake ID!" After all, lots of teenagers have them. Seriously, you can't say that.

Consider hanging your valid ID around your neck when you get close to the airport and only put in back in your wallet after boarding the plane.

"I drive, therefore I am"

Here's the link to FAA's consumer info page: http://cas.faa.gov/faq.html , hopefully it'll provide some information.