IDENTITY CARDS IN THE U.K

[humble]

its so strange, because in the U.S.A citizens dont have a national identity card....

a drivers license is really the only way to be identified within the country (nobody carries their passport on them). those who dont have a drivers license can get an identity card from the DMV (dept of motor vehicles).

how is like in the UK?
do citizens have any option of gettting an ID card or do they have to rely on a drivers license????

thanks again.

[JAJ]

its so strange, because in the U.S.A citizens dont have a national identity card....

a drivers license is really the only way to be identified within the country (nobody carries their passport on them). those who dont have a drivers license can get an identity card from the DMV (dept of motor vehicles).

how is like in the UK?
do citizens have any option of gettting an ID card or do they have to rely on a drivers license????

No ID cards in the UK (not yet, anyway): http://www.identitycards.gov.uk

It's only seven or eight years since photo-driver licences started appearing, and there are still a lot of old paper licences in existence.

Passport is normally the only form of official photo-ID available to British citizens who don't have a photo driving licence.

[humble]

ok mate gotcha!

in the U.S.A, the DMV (dept of motor vehicles.. thats the dept that issues drivers licenses) can issue a state ID card which is pretty much the only from of ID other than a drivers license that you can have.

but if you dont have a drivers license, is it possible to be issued any form of picture identity card?

[JAJ]

but if you dont have a drivers license, is it possible to be issued any form of picture identity card?

Not from the government. That might change around 2008.

If you decide to move to the United Kingdom, you will need to get used to the idea that certain things will be done very differently compared to the United States.

[ppron747]

ok mate gotcha!

in the U.S.A, the DMV (dept of motor vehicles.. thats the dept that issues drivers licenses) can issue a state ID card which is pretty much the only from of ID other than a drivers license that you can have.

but if you dont have a drivers license, is it possible to be issued any form of picture identity card?

I don't have a UK driving licence, but manage fine without any photo ID apart from my passport - and I can't remember the last time I needed to produce that, except when travelling.

[humble]

from the limited reserach i have done, it seems UK citizens have a 'national insurance number' which i assume is the same as the U.S.A's 'social security number'?

how would i go about getting one of those numbers???

[ppron747]

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/faqs/ynino.htm

[JAJ]

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/faqs/ynino.htm

And although a National Insurance number should be obtained as soon as possible after arriving in the UK, it is not mandatory for employment if you have a British citizen passport.

However quite a few employers think it is required to start employment.

[bbdivo]

from the limited reserach i have done, it seems UK citizens have a 'national insurance number' which i assume is the same as the U.S.A's 'social security number'?

how would i go about getting one of those numbers???

Yes it is the same, but it does not hold the same significance as a social security number, ie in the US you need a social security to do just about everything, ie open a bank account, apply for a drivers licence etc, here it is only needed for employment, and even then you will be allocated a temporary one when you first start.

[humble]

bottom line....

if i apply for a job in the UK and i dont have a national insurance number, will i be able to work????

[ppron747]

Speaking of bottom lines, read the bottom line of bbdivo's post!

[humble]

yes i read everybody's post very carefully.
however, his post while very helpful did not clarify a few points:

1) who issues a 'temporary' national insurance number? the employer or the govt' agency for national insuarance?

2) do most employers insist on a national insurance number?

3) can one use a temporary insurance number indefinitely???

[Rogerio]

I suggest you read this carefully:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/faqs/ynino.htm

You will find all you need to know on NINs.

1) who issues a 'temporary' national insurance number? the employer or the govt' agency for national insuarance?

The employer, based on your date of birth and sex

2) do most employers insist on a national insurance number?

Yes

3) can one use a temporary insurance number indefinitely???

It is temporary!