Need serious, advice: Lost my CA Driver's License; don't have official photo ID

[Misskittycat]

This is a problem that has to have happened to lots of folks; namely, lost or stolen driver's licenses. In CA, if you can even get to the DMV within a day or so, you still only get an "Interim Driver's License" without a photo. What do you do in the many situations where an official government-issued photo ID is required -- e.g., flying, traveling on trains, checking into hotel/motel, etc., using a credit card?

I got the replacement temporary driver's license this afternoon, and according to the DMV clerk, I may get the license mailed within a week or so, but the website indicates it could be several weeks. Even if it's only one week, what do I do in the meantime? I need a photo ID; the only one I have is a Costco photo ID. I need the ID right now -- today, tomorrow, or dire things will happen.

Please, can anyone shed some light on this situation or give any advice?

Thanks very much.

[Duer 157099]

1. No advice for the current situation unfortunately

But I have thought that I should get a CA ID to keep at home safe in case I ever lost my license. I think I will do that soon. Maybe get one also for the future?

[jsr]

8. Yes, a state ID is a cheap investment for this purpose

especially for people who travel.

[DollarBillHines]

2. Do you have a Birth Certificate?

Depending on the severity of your situation and who you are dealing with, your temp license, Costco card and a Birth Certificate might do you some good. Try anything and everything.

Good luck.
DBH

[NYC_SKP]

3. You should seriously be able to get a new photo replacement ID without even getting a new picture.

Go online or call first thing tomorrow and make an appointment.

CA DMVs run pretty smoothly for people who make appointments.

Bring every bit of ID you have and bills with home address and, I hope you have it, your CDL number.

You should have a new ID in plenty of time to vote, if that's your concern.

They will give you an interim one that same day that will allow you to drive.

Not a problem, or it shouldn't be.

[Misskittycat]

9. Voting isn't the concern. It's being able to check into a motel tomorrow.

I got the Interim Driver's License replacement doc with the CDL number (without photo), as well as the quasi-official print-out of my DMW photo.

I couldn't get an appointment; appointments are 4 days away, so I had to wait in line for many hours. The interim one allows me to drive, but right now I don't have a car, so that's not the point.

Any and all of my documents are in storage since I moved out of my apartment about 6 weeks ago. My storage unit is packed to the ceiling, not close by, and will required digging out layers of items until I even reach the boxes that may contain these documents. Yes, I have a certified birth certificate (from Pennsylvania). My passport -- which is somewhere in that mess -- expired in 1976 and has a picture of me when I was 16. I'm 61 now. I believe I have an expired license with a photo from 1992. Sadly, I don't really look like that again.

The only current (and quite horrible) photo ID is my Costco ID.

It is a serious, immediate problem.

[Fresh_Start]

11. try other DMV offices sometimes an office a little farther away has more appointment access

at least that worked for my son's learners permit test

[Honeycombe8]

12. I don't believe I've ever had to show a photo ID when checking into a hotel.

Maybe I did and I don't remember. I think I just gave them my credit card. The reservation was already made. That was it. They don't care who you are...as long as your card is good, and it's your card. They didn't check card ownership, as I recall.

If they need a photo ID, they just want proof that's your credit card. Anything official, like your temp driver's license, your insurance card, etc., will prove your identity. Then anything official with your photo will complete the proof. Even a gym card, whatever. If you don't have ANYTHING with your photo, they may let you in, as long as you have that other proof of identity w/o a photo. CALL THE MOTEL AND ASK.

I have an expired license around somewhere. Do you? I have a Sam's Card w/my photo.

[Texasgal]

26. Here in Texas they make you give up your old

ID when you get a new one. Ofcourse, not when you do it online.

I recently realized that my DL was expired by months and I had to fly for work on lark. Too late to do it online and had to go to the DMV. I freaked, but they gave me a paper ID with my pic and TSA took it with a credit card in my name.

I wish I could have kept my old one just for emergencies though.

[Honeycombe8]

28. I'm in Texas, too. :) My old license is from another state.

So you now have a photo ID, is what you're saying?

My dr's office has a copy of my driver's license with pic. If the motel would take a photocopy (I'm doubting that).

What I was sayiing about the motel is...they need proof of ID mainly for the credit card. So they need official proof of ID w/o a pic (like your temp license), and I would think that they would take some other sort of photo ID, even if not govt issued, to prove that Texasgal looks like that. The govt ID w/o pic proves Texasgirl's ID, and the gym card shows what Texasgirl looks like.

[Texasgal]

29. Oh yes, I have one now..

But at the time I was worried that I would not have been able to fly.

I was freaking out, but then the paper ID had a pic of me ( computer ) pic and I was okay. But I will say that I was honestly afraid. I even posted on DU about TSA rules.

The hotel gave me no probs. Thank goodness!

[NYC_SKP]

17. Good luck, I really hope you get a break.

Maybe a friendly InnKeep, or a hostel or shelter if need be.

So sorry!

[tech3149]

18. I had no problem gettin a PA photo ID the same day

My DL was revoked for medical reasons. I went in with all the documentation you could ever need. They didn't even want to look at it. The photo was taken at the counter and I was out the door within half an hour with permanent ID.
There's no justifiable reason any motor vehicle center or other government institution shouldn't be able to achieve similar results.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. Do you have any expired ID's around?

I usually toss mine in a junk drawer, for no particular reason.

Maybe they could be used in a pinch?

[skeewee08]

5. Try your financial institution

They are required to make a photo copy. In Oklahoma you get your license right on the spot

[Misskittycat]

10. Hadn't thought of my bank. I'm not sure they took my photo, though. nt

[Bluenorthwest]

6. In Oregon you get your photo id same day at DMV...

but we don't need it for voting, because we vote by mail.

[chowder66]

7. with paper drivers license

you could probably use an old drivers license like the other poster suggested or an old passport. Since you have the paper license, you could call the dmv and ask if since you have that could you use it as proof to get an emergency photo id. Call, ask, make an appointment and you should be fine. If you have a birth certificate or any of the documents they list on the dmv take those in but make an appointment if possible. It works much better if you do.

[Misskittycat]

13. The DMV clerk looked at me like I had two heads when I asked what I should do.

How can I possibly be the only one who needs a photo ID right now, this minute? (After I held up the line for a while, and kept pressing her, she printed out the copy of my photo with its quasi-official but not really official certification that the photo is me.

As I explained in a separate post earlier this afternoon in The Lounge, someone suggested I go to the transit authority main office to get an ID on a pass. But they can't issue an ID card until I show them my state Driver's License or Photo ID that already has my photo and is laminated, etc.

[Raine]

14. Don't have advice on what to do but don't count on getting it in a week or so. I had to renew last

year and it took weeks and weeks to get the new one. I read that due to budget cutbacks it takes longer than it used to. Luckily even though my old one was expired I still had it for ID, though I never actually needed it.

[cally]

15. Most places in California will accept the paper temporary ID

because this has happened to many of us. I would call the airline if you are flying and ask what to do. A few years ago I had one of those temporary IDs and was able to use it for everything. I do have a passport that I used for flying, though.

On a side note, my husband got a ca ID for flying and I plan to get one also. He flies for business and is worried about losing his ID and not being able to get on a plane so he carries a backup. I plan to get one also for travel.

One more idea, my VISA from Bof A has my photo on it. I got it immediately and they still might offer the service.

[slackmaster]

16. To avoid this kind of predicament in the future, get a US Passport

Pay the extra money for the wallet card in addition to the traditional book.

Keep them locked up in a safe, secure place.

You should also have in your possession a certified copy of your birth certificate. Keep that locked up too.

ETA you should be OK in most situations. However, state law prohibits anyone from selling you alcoholic beverages unless you have a state-issued photo ID, or a passport, in your immediate possession.

[vanlassie]

19. I don't show ID to check in to a motel.

Why do you have to? Does every family member need ID? No. Payment is secured with a credit card.

[Misskittycat]

20. Apparently, it's a legal thing in CA, I was told by one hotel clerk.

Even the crappiest hostel-like boarding house I called required one -- although -- of course they only take cash - no credit cards.
I couldn't believe it.

I also was trying to use Priceline Negotiator to get a much lower price on a hotel/motel. I just can't afford the regular prices right now. It indicates that the person who is going to use the room needs to have a credit card and a "valid photo ID" that somewhere else indicates it's a government-issued photo ID. Under the "name your price" option on Priceline Negotiator, you know you're getting a particular level of "star" hotel/motel in a designated geographic location, but they don't give you the name of the place until after you book the deal.

[BeeBee]

21. I've lived in CA for a dozen years...

And I've never had to show an ID to vote. Please double check the requirements in your area.

[Misskittycat]

24. It's not a voting thing for me; I've never had to show ID to vote in CA

It's the practical matter(s) of checking into a hotel/motel and using a credit/debit card.

[BeeBee]

25. Sorry, I misread your post. n/t

[lonestarnot]

30. You may have to make friends with a college kid and get a black market one.

[Gormy Cuss]

31. You should be fine using the temp ID for those things.

There's no requirement that you show ID when using a credit or debit card. I always refuse politely and most of the time they process the transaction anyway. The hotel will copy your DL number from the temporary form and record your credit card number. They may put a bigger hold on the cc. It's extremely unlikely that they would refuse to give you a room if you have sufficient non-photo ID like credit cards AND the temporary license.

You can even fly without a permanent ID although TSA will make you jump through a few extra hoops. The last time I renewed DMV screwed up but good. It took four weeks to get the final card and I lived life with just a few minor speed bumps.

eta: if you're going to travel, take with you as much supporting documentation as you can. A utility bill is a good thing to throw in your carry-on because it establishes a second point of ID that someone with your name lives at the address on the temporary license.

[Misskittycat]

22. Thanks for your replies so far; I really need to keep this kicked up high GD for more advice.

[BeeBee]

23. I recently renewed my CA DL and I received the new one in about a week and a half.

But please check with the CA Secretary of State office to find voting requirements.

[oldhippie]

27. It may not help right now, but in the future ...

... I might suggest that a prudent person would have at least two forms of state issued photo ID in different nearby locations.

I traveled extensively for many years before I retired. Whenever I traveled outside the country (or even in New York City last week) I always used a dual redundant system. I usually had 3 or 4 gov't photo IDs (DL, Texas CHL, my US Gov't ID, and a passport. I also always had two different credit cards and two ATM cards from my two different banks. I would carry two IDs, a credit card and an ATM card in a wallet in a pants pocket (preferably buttoned.) I would have the other IDs, another credit card and ATM card in a passport case type wallet that I carried in a vest or jacket pocket. I would have my US$ and local currency split between the two.

Now call me paranoid, or just lucky, but in 40 years of traveling around the world I never lost a single wallet, ID, card, or currency. I like to think that my paranoid over preparedness just took all the fun out of it for the evil travel gods.

I know it's too late now, and you said you had backup ID in a storage unit, but it's just something to think about for the future. (Kinda like "paperwork prepping!&quot