Why Drivers License?
Thread started by
indigis at 05.18.08 - 8:49 pm
Who can answer this... why show a driver's license when pulled over by the police for a traffic infraction on a bicycle? My possibly mistaken belief is that it would count as a point on your driving record and effect insurance. Wouldn't a passport be better to avoid that issue and possibly, if you're so inclined, allow you to just blow off the ticket all together?
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show them your california id instead of your dl. its the same thing, only one doesnt allow you to drive a car.
ruinedbyidiots05.18.08 - 8:50 pm
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except your id has your home address, which basically tells the police where to come hand you a warrant. plus, who the hell has a ca id???
indigis05.18.08 - 8:54 pm
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i have a ca id as well as a ca dl. at a dui checkpoint a few years ago i fucked up and gave the officer my id instead of my dl and i ended up getting my car searched on suspicion of being under the influence. i was clean and there was nothing illicit in my car and i was let go after 20 minutes or so. i was freaking out (because i hate cops) and it was an ordeal, but whatever.
ruinedbyidiots05.18.08 - 9:00 pm
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it wasn't because you handed him a ca id. it's because you're one of them there long haired hippie types.
indigis05.18.08 - 9:06 pm
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The driver's license (or California ID, if you have it) is simply to establish that you are whom you say you are, so that they can write you a citation (which basically amounts to a release on your own recognizance) instead of taking you to jail pending arraignment for the infraction.
PC05.18.08 - 9:09 pm
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PC, are you saying then that a bicycle traffic ticket does not count as a point on your driving record? And more importantly, what's with paying to get your ass kicked with a police baton wielded in public by randy?
indigis05.18.08 - 9:13 pm
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the id switcheroo happened before i started growing my hair out. i showed you my emt badge, didnt i? it was sort of like that.
bike infractions go against your driving record because a bicycle is considered a vehicle.
ruinedbyidiots05.18.08 - 9:21 pm
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PC, are you saying then that a bicycle traffic ticket does not count as a point on your driving record?
CVC 1803(b) reads in pertinent part:
b) The following violations are not required to be reported under subdivision (a):
[...]
(6) Violations for which a person was cited as a pedestrian or while operating a bicycle or a motorized scooter.
But then, I have read accounts of people finding bicycle traffic tickets on their DMV records anyway. So I'm not sure.
My point is that it doesn't matter which ID you show them. It either will or won't show up on your record whether you show them a DL, a California ID, or a passport.
Showing them a passport won't make it any easier to just "blow off the ticket," either: you'll still have a warrant issued for your arrest, because you promised to appear in court when you signed the ticket (which is why they released you instead of taking you to jail pending arraignment and setting your bail there) and you didn't appear as promised.
And more importantly, what's with paying to get your ass kicked with a police baton wielded in public by randy?
It's because I care, indigis. I care about the kids. Or, you know, AIDS or whatever.
PC05.18.08 - 9:30 pm
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cop "ever been arested"
me "yu mean lately?"
dannyzuko05.18.08 - 9:31 pm
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yes PC, I just came up with that same CVC section. As for the passport, versus a license, I'm sure a bench warrant would still be issued. That would be unavoidable. However, it would not be attached to your license and would not cause its suspension. Would <
> catch up to you one way or another, eventually.
indigis
05.18.08 - 9:42 pm
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maybe i'm wrong, but i would think if you showed a passport, they would immediately do an i.d. search via their in dash laptops and figure out your cdl number with an address for the citation so there probably isn't a way around it. also....don't the cal i.d.'s and cdl's have the same number? if so. then just your name would be necessary for the cops to issue you a citation with your number on it.
barleye05.18.08 - 10:18 pm
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They want to see the actual license because it will have your picture on it. Otherwise, you could just give the name and address of somebody you dislike and let that person get the citation.
PC05.18.08 - 11:08 pm
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The other day I got pulled over by a cop and I handed them a no-longer valid NY state license. I told them that that was all that I had and he kinda just asked me why I had nothing else.
I told him I lost my license the day before.
Point being, you can only get away with as much bullshit as you can talk without seeming sketchy.
kyber05.19.08 - 12:23 am
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I got pulled over on the way to crank mob but the cop didn't ask for my id. he already knew i was spongebob.
sezdaniel05.19.08 - 1:39 am
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@RBI
"the id switcheroo happened before i started growing my hair out."
DUDE, photos??
cabhauler05.19.08 - 3:03 am
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which all begs the point...
what if you have no id (or some old piece of shit from another state or country) and you say, red a light? are they going to throw your bike in the trunk, take you downtown, spend half a day processing you, all for a bicycle ticket?
i don't believe we're at a point yet here in the US where we must have ID to walk or bicycle the streets.
who has pulled the, "i don't need to show you no stinking badge (id)" line to a cop?
indigis05.19.08 - 8:08 am
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As a Class A-Commercial holder, I've got to be particularly mindful of any consequences related to wheels and moving.
There are still plenty of well-paying, companies out there that I might want to consider, with all the endorsements I have.
But, with that high-salary comes high-scrutiny.
There's some companies that will run an MVR, and a DAC check on your license and employment info.
I've heard of drivers making it through 2-4 days of orientation, only to be denied a job, due to a parking ticket from 4 years ago!!!
Getting nailed by the local/state heat is one thing, having it bite you in the ass when you try to get work is an entirely, different world of hurt.
bentstrider05.19.08 - 8:52 am
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Papers! You need papers to move across the land, you need proof of citizenship within 70 miles of the border. Sound familiar? Iron Curtain anyone?
the reverend dak05.19.08 - 1:56 pm
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Will they process you if you don't have a government issued id with street address? It just depends on the situation. If they think you are running from the law, or might have warrants, they just might. Like always in these situations with LE, it depends on how you handle yourself and most importantly, the disposition of the officer.
Like it was said already, the citation is a promise to appear. If they don't really know who you are, how can they really know if that is who it say on the notice, that is promising to appear.
Years ago, I got pulled over and didn't have my license. This made the officers nervous. but I calmly explained that I did have my drivers license. I had all the info that would be on it. The DL # ,my address middle name, stats on my weight and birth. They also wanted my SS#, why I 'am not sure. I think to test me on it later to see if it was the same that I gave them. They ended up writing me a notice to appear.
To answer your original question. I don't know. I think all of these answers on here is piecing together an answer.
sexy05.19.08 - 2:28 pm
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cop "ever been arested"
me "yu mean lately?"
dannyzuko
LOL !!!
eddieboyinla05.19.08 - 3:22 pm
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whether you have the liscence or not doesn't matter in terms of how many points or whatever you'll ultimately get
the liscense just lets them establish your ID so they don't have to haul you down to the station to establish your ID.
remember, the police can take you into custody, sit you in a cell for a few hours, lose your effects, call your employer, landlord, whatever without actually "arresting" you or anything.
stevestevesteve05.20.08 - 10:56 am
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