state picture ID?

Question

If your loved one doesn’t drive, get a state picture ID good for everything from airplane travel to writing checks at the grocery store.

-> what is this?

So, if I've understood you right, in the US, you have only passports or driver's licences to ID yourself? or you have got to order a state ID? I'm asking this because over here in Europe, we automatically have those state IDs, and passports or driver's licences come as an option. That's very interesting. Thank you for your answers!!!

Answer 1

I guess the best way to put given your additional comments is that nothing here in the United States comes to you automatically except a Social Security card and a birth certificate. After birth these two pieces of identification are given to your parents. They are then passed on to you when deemed appropriate.
When a person becomes eligible to drive they usually receive a driver's license (around age 16). This serves as a picture ID when one is needed.
However, some people choose not to drive, or lose their license due to abusing driving privileges. Without a driver's license most people don't have another form of picture ID, so the driver's license branch also offers what they call "State Picture ID". This serves as proper picture identification when needed, listing all of the same personal information as a driver's license, but not authorizing you to drive. A picture ID can be used when applying for jobs, getting into secure environments, etc.
A passport is something people apply for here if they have to fly outside the US, but it is not required to fly within the United States, so a lot of people that stay in the country don't have one.
Hope this was helpful!!

Answer 2

It's a little plastic card with personal info and a picture - it basically looks like a driver's license, except it has (usually) a different color and it actually says "This is not a driver's license."

The point being that for many things, including airplane travel and writing checks, you need picture ID, sometimes even two pieces of picture ID. Most people use their driver's license for this, but if you don't have a driver's license, you can use state picture ID instead.

Answer 3

it's just an official state-issued ID that proves who you are and how old you are for the people who don't have a driver's license or passport.

Answer 4

my driving force's license photograph is nice, i placed it as my facebook photograph lol. i became certainly suprised the way it became out. i assumed it might look undesirable because of fact i began smiling, and that i became waiting for the flash. then while i ended smiling, it flashed...i've got been given it interior the mail weeks later and it wasn't that undesirable. college photograph final year, i for my area cherished it. this year, i regarded terrible, yet w/e