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>The mass use of fake IDs of this sort is a bizarrely American problem. In the UK, you're considered an adult at age 18. Most (aside from the unfortunate 17-yea

>The mass use of fake IDs of this sort is a bizarrely American problem. In the UK, you're considered an adult at age 18. Most (aside from the unfortunate 17-year-olds) university students can legally purchase alcohol, smoke, or gamble if they so choose. In the late 90s, when I was 16-17 and doing my A levels in the South East, plenty of people had fake "Prove It" cards and the like. If you wanted to grab a drink at anything but the most desperate of pubs or go out in e.g. Brighton, you didn't have a hope unless you could prove your age. Funnily enough, I knew plenty of 18 and 19 year olds that also used fake IDs, just because getting a more legitimate form of ID was a bigger pain than they could be bothered with - and taking your passport out seemed a bit over the top. I dunno, maybe I just hung out with the wrong crowd?

arprocter 9y ago
We would go drinking in pubs by ourselves at 14, but that was a small northern town without a university. We knew the places which wouldn't ask, and it helped if you're tall
Someone1234 9y ago
That's one thing the scrapped national ID Card scheme may have helped with. A lot of teens aren't learning to drive in the UK anymore due to the high cost and quality of public transport in cities. So they by extension don't get a driving license until well into their 20s (if at all). So their choice was either, as you said, take out your passport (dangerous/impractical) or use a fake ID. That's why they had to create the PASS scheme (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)[0][1]. In essence it is a non-driving licence/non-national ID card, card which only exists to prove your age. It costs £15, but that's still cheap relative to getting a driving licence (inc. test/cost to learn £200+) or replacing a lost passport (£72.50). It is a good scheme. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_of_Age_Standards_Scheme https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_of_Age_Standards_Scheme [1] https://www.validateuk.co.uk/official-UK-ID-Card https://www.validateuk.co.uk/official-UK-ID-Card
- ams6110 9y ago
  Most(?) US states have an "ID" card option you can get instead of a driver's license. It's official proof of age etc. but does not confer any driving privileges, and it's a bit less expensive. No need for the Feds to have to manage this.
SmellyGeekBoy 9y ago
> I dunno, maybe I just hung out with the wrong crowd? You and me both. I remember going out "in town" drinking and watching live bands from the age of 14, fake ID in hand. Pretty much all of my friends had them. Good times.

arprocter 9y ago

We would go drinking in pubs by ourselves at 14, but that was a small northern town without a university. We knew the places which wouldn't ask, and it helped if you're tall

Someone1234 9y ago

That's one thing the scrapped national ID Card scheme may have helped with. A lot of teens aren't learning to drive in the UK anymore due to the high cost and quality of public transport in cities. So they by extension don't get a driving license until well into their 20s (if at all). So their choice was either, as you said, take out your passport (dangerous/impractical) or use a fake ID. That's why they had to create the PASS scheme (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)[0][1]. In essence it is a non-driving licence/non-national ID card, card which only exists to prove your age. It costs £15, but that's still cheap relative to getting a driving licence (inc. test/cost to learn £200+) or replacing a lost passport (£72.50). It is a good scheme. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_of_Age_Standards_Scheme https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_of_Age_Standards_Scheme [1] https://www.validateuk.co.uk/official-UK-ID-Card https://www.validateuk.co.uk/official-UK-ID-Card

ams6110 9y ago
Most(?) US states have an "ID" card option you can get instead of a driver's license. It's official proof of age etc. but does not confer any driving privileges, and it's a bit less expensive. No need for the Feds to have to manage this.

SmellyGeekBoy 9y ago

> I dunno, maybe I just hung out with the wrong crowd? You and me both. I remember going out "in town" drinking and watching live bands from the age of 14, fake ID in hand. Pretty much all of my friends had them. Good times.