Quote:
Originally Posted by Damien
I would like a National ID card so long as it contained no more additional information.
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The cards only contain digital duplicates of what is printed on them. The "other" information is held on secure databases, including arrest warrants, no-fly alerts, suspension of driving licences, etc., only accessible by specific people in specific situations.
Failure to present your ID to specific persons at specific times (e.g. by a police officer when you are under suspicion) can result in arrest in many countries. The days of being allowed to "present your ID at a police station within 48 hours" are become rarer.
German drivers were compelled to carry ALL their vehicle information at all times when driving (hence the "man-bags" you saw blokes carrying) but now the information is all digitised and accessible via your ID card details. It seems odd that in the UK all that information can be accessed by the police just by a person giving their name (and perhaps address and date of birth). If you give a false name, they access the wrong information!
It is apparently very common for visitors to this country to get full free access to NHS services just by presenting someone else's NHS card!