Federal law regarding ID?s

[EvilEmmy 1]

So here goes I thought I'd ask what you think.

I've travelled to the states various times since 1996. Now here's the thing that tickled me. I've had 2 passports since then and driving license since I was 18 in every prior trip I've used my British driving license to by alcohol and ciggies on All my trips even my first one to visit my now fiance. Then whop bam wollop on my second one they introduced a law saying that store clerks must ID EVERY person who buys tobacco and alcohol regardless if known or not. So in I trondle with my ID in hand to be told nope won't take it now what baffled me was not less than a week prior they accepted this as had many store clerks, I was known and my fiance often with me due to hearing I had to triple check and then they rifled through their *manual* which was hidden under the desk. Told me foreign Driving licenses should not be accepted as ID out there.

Thus led me to this question if they arnt accepted what is one to do in the case of having moved there and awaiting for documentation and what not? Silly question because I certainly would'nt like to carry my 120 doller passport around with me as it's too rediculously expensive to loose. Plus I had to use my previous passport as ID in the UK at one point and urgh It got grubby, and looked shabby at the end of it's 10 year lifespan because of this.

In the same period of time I purchesed alcohol and ciggies elsewhere without any problems. One woman even assumed I lived there and recognised a British Driving License straight away saying her DIL uses hers for ID out there. So is what I'm told correct because, it seems a tad embaressing to have to send my fiance in a store to buy smokes for me because they won't take a DL and I don't wish to loose; damage or have my passport stolen while out and about. I've seen the after effects of people having the Passport's stolen happened within family twice and with family friends while travelling.

So what are your experience's in this and look forward to the comments. I know tut tut on the smoking it's my vice and i', sure each to their own

[Ban Hammer 13,853]

how about before you visit, your SO stocks up on them for you?

[EvilEmmy 1]

That'd be grand charles unfortunately I don't think that would happen, His friends would run off with a packet here and there before I even got out there. Doubled with the fact he rarely smokes (usually pilfers one or two off me during a week while there or has a packet for the long airport drive to pick me up and drop me off (something in that drive triggers off his need for a smoke poor dude)

I did suggest that though he waits till he gets coupon offers and bundles them up from his parents place or in the mail. Gawd anything to save a buck or two. And then a get a rathe rlarge pile of coupons to shift through oargh

[Jenn! 918]

Hubby had to use his passport to buy smokes when he first got here. It's not like they were going to accept his Moroccan identity card. I didn't even really think anything of it. I've had friends visit that had to use their passports as ID because their DL's were just out-of-state, let alone international.

[EvilEmmy 1]

Wow jenn that sound's a bit nutty on the out of state driving licenses being refused, Guess I was fortunate to only get a no once while using my driving license with it being a foreign one. I think i'd go a bit potty if It was me in that situation, not everyone has passports. My SO never had a passport till 2009 due to me being sick it prompted him to go and get one. Not that he used it but still it makes me ponder what does one do if they have a different state driving license and get turned down and don't have a passport guess it would mean hunting down a place tha will accept it. I havn't come across that here though they arnt't as ruthless with IDing as they are supposed to be. I still get occassionally checked round the corner shop and I've been here 7 months but they now know i'm a regular so it is usually the newbies who check or I show them if they havn't seen me before.

I'm thinking it's a possibility the area I visit is a pass through for a lot of tourists so parhaps they are more lenient with that and being super close to 2 diffrent states as well. Still makes me laugh 15 mins takes you to MI, over an hour takes you to IL. Sighs ah I miss the lakes and my guy