De facto I consider it proof of ID, given that it has my name, address, DoB, photo and signature, and is issued by a government agency - and I would be extremely surprised if any old random shop or bar declined to accept it. (After all, it's not as if it bears wording along the lines of "not valid without counterpart".) It also satisfies the wording in my PPL requiring me to carry "a document containing a photo" for the purposes of ID whenever I'm exercising its privileges. (However, I don't carry my PPL around all that much, as it's a slightly-larger-than-A6 plastic wallet. It lives in my flight bag. But it's less hassle just to carry the photocard all the time and forget about it.)
It is, as you say, not a cast-iron proof of entitlement to drive without the counterpart, but that's not a concern. If the Old Bill want to see it I shall exercise my legal right to produce it within seven days at a police station of my choice; if they really want to find out at the roadside they can call in a PNC check. The only time I've ever needed the counterpart has been when hiring vehicles.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-11 06:28 pm (UTC)It is, as you say, not a cast-iron proof of entitlement to drive without the counterpart, but that's not a concern. If the Old Bill want to see it I shall exercise my legal right to produce it within seven days at a police station of my choice; if they really want to find out at the roadside they can call in a PNC check. The only time I've ever needed the counterpart has been when hiring vehicles.