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Comment by olliej | Hacker News Reader

I can't wait to get a ticket for driving without a license because my phone ran out of power.

Driving without a license is different than driving without a copy of your license. The police can look it up in their car.

In most countries I've lived in, and I believe most (if not all) states in the US, you are required to present your license upon request. That the police could "look it up" isn't relevant.

For instance in CA, CVC12951 makes it an infraction to drive without your license in your possession, and a misdemeanor to not provide it upon request by a LEO

In practice the police just look it up when you don't have it, same with insurance. If you are unpleasant or the cop had a bad day they might write you a fine but I've never heard of that happening.

They look your license up anyway when they get to their car to validate it isn't revoked.

I just make sure to have a picture of my license on my phone (which I realize in this specific situation wouldn’t help but who doesn’t have a charger in their car?) so the officer can just type in my license number and it’s never been an issue.

That is not actually how it works in practice if you do not have your license. That is your personal anecdote.

I mean the easy solution is the keep a back up hard copy in your lockable glovebox, or just a cable for your phone which I imagine is already in your car?

In which case why do I need it on my phone?

I would much rather provide a physical license than hand my unlocked phone to law enforcement.

The ID would be kept in the glove box as a backup as you would take your phone everywhere.

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