Europe: Bring Driver's License? (no plan to drive) Passport Sufficient?

I always carry my Driver's license with me in a secure place in my money belt of course. It is amazing how many times you can use it instead of a Passport for ID.

Sometimes if you borrow an audio-guide from a museum they ask you to leave some form of ID as a deposit - some people aren't comfortable leaving their passport so a driving licence is a handy alternative.

That's all I can think of (unless you need them to drive to and from the airport in the US.)

I am one of those people who always brings their DL.

I never leave my PP with museum staff for audio guides,, at the Louvre they just shove them in this open flie box that anyone could get at if they tried, so they do not get my PP!!

I also do not travel around during day with my PP, ( yes I am one of "those" , who leave it in the safe) so I do carry my DL for id in case I get hit by a car.. LOL ( I also tend to carry a hotel card with me for same reason)

My DL costs me only 25 dollars to replace,, my PP would cost me more and be alot more important to have to get home! LOL

I do not need for detax purchases or internet cafes as I do not do either of those two things for which you would need your passport in most cases.

My husband carries his DL, but I do not. However, I do keep my expired licenses and use them as backup id in my day bag and suitcase (I put it in an interior pocket).

I keep my DL in a different place than my passport, in the unlikely event I lose my passport (then I'll have ID still).

I've never rented a car but have used my driver's license in Europe more than once. The first time was when my hotel in Slovenia still had my passport (processing it for check-in) when I needed to change some money. My driver's license was accepted as ID at the post office. The second time was in Nimes, France, as collateral for an amphitheatre audioguide--passports were NOT accepted. It's not bulky in my moneybelt, and I've always been happy I've had it.

I always carry it Peter - it's nice to have another official recognized form of ID just in case.

AND - you never know when an Italian/French/British train strike, or change in your flights is going to change your plans!

I keep my passport, etc on me, and then have my DL and a back up back card or CC in my bags.

I kept my passport in my moneybelt and it was nice to have my driver's license in a small wallet to use for ID when I made credit card purchases. I was asked for this about half a dozen times in a three week trip.

Even though you have no plans to drive, plans can change! I spent most of this weekend trying to help my 7 year-old nephew understand the need for Plan B's, C's and occasionally a Plan D. He didn't like it, but boy it can pay off. How much better to have your driver's license with you and be able to go to plan B rather than grapple with the never popular plans C or D. ; )

Pam