Get a passport. In CA it’s the only means of getting a second ID, aka a backup ID. I once almost didn’t get a job, because DMV was late sending me my driver’s license renewal, and for one week I had no valid ID, and that was the week I needed to start work.
If you don’t drive, leave the country, fly on airlines, buy alcohol or tobacco, patronize establishments legally designated as certain categories of alcohol-serving establishments or adult entertainment venues, have a bank account, or have an actual job that would require you to fill out an I-9, you might be able to live in America without ID. But it seems really, really hard.
It is very easy in the US, especially in either very urban or very rural communities. If you don't drive on public roads and are already established in life with a job or bank account, you probably don't actually need an ID for much in your day to day life. Even activities that we normally think of as requiring an ID like traveling on a plane are possible without an ID if you are willing to jump through some hoops.
You can get a state ID that's not a driver's license. I don't how you can get much of anything without an ID. In my experience you cannot bank, get a credit card, rent, setup utilities, get a cell phone, get car insurance (obviously requires a license), or fly (passports do work) without a state ID. What do you for those things without a state ID? Have your parents sign for everything?
It's extremely normal to travel without any kind of ID, especially photo id. The main thing a lot of people carry is their driver's license, but if you don't have one of those you might very legitimately have none.
It's definitely possible, but much more unlikely than going without a passport, for two reasons:
1) The expanse and culture of the U.S. favors driving cars, so most people learn to drive a car. A driver's license is most people's form of photo ID.
2) A puritanical history makes for strict age limits on alcohol and tobacco; young adults must show photo ID in order to enter many bars and clubs where alcohol is served.
These two factors mean that most Americans have an ID by the time they are 21. In fact, I don't know anyone who doesn't have one.
While you won't be flying anywhere,
I think in for some purposes you should be able
to feel comfortable leaving home
even without money or an ID.
I think it's sad that our world is so entirely consumed
by bureaucracy and capital
that we feel uncomfortable existing, for even a brief period,
just as ourselves, rather than numbers in a bank account
or a government database.
I think this is already the case (at least in California) - I ended up biting the bullet so to speak and getting a realid because otherwise I'd need to bring my passport with me on every trip to buy ammunition (since unreal drivers licenses aren't acceptable any more)
Avoiding a Real ID is a great idea if you don't have to fly. If you do, though, it's a nonstarter. I'll have to investigate how feasible it is to take alternate forms of transportation for business trip...
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