I agree as well msr and BumbleB - it would make life a lot simpler in many ways, especially for people who don't drive or have a passport. A friend who has neither had huge problems when asked to provide identity. It threw the people who were asking as they didn't know what else was acceptable.
That concept destroys one of the best things about being British, we are free people who don't have to identify ourselves unless we want to.
By the way a couple of years ago I had to purchase a spare key for my BMW from the main dealer, they had to phone Germany to ask permission even though I was a customer of theirs and known by the manager and many of the staff at the dealers.
The permission was refused unless I could produce my driving licence or other photo ID. I said my driving licence was a pre photo licence and I did not have photo ID.
How was the dilemma resolved I sent a text to the dealers from my phone explaining my old key would not set the car alarm and if I was not sold a new key to secure my car I would hold BMW liable.
I had the key delivered to my house the following day, it had been dispatched from Germany under the VOR procedures.
It seems BMW did not want the bad publicity that would have ensued if my car had been stolen.
Cheers
Guy
PS I learned that trick from an old employer of mine in the 1970s whose Rolls Royce had broken down. He simply abandoned it in the middle of the road, leaving the car keys in the ignition, and phoned the dealership saying it should not have broken down and they better do something about it quick.
The car was quickly recovered, transported thirty miles to the dealer, repaired and transported back to my boss when it was repaired.
