Any reason to bring a US drivers license if not planning to drive?

This question was asked recently in the General Europe forum. Lots of responses - see all that here.

Personally, I always bring my DL (for reasons articulated in the other thread linked above).

Honestly, how heavy is your driver's license?

Some museums and tourist sites require you to leave identification when picking up an autoguide. Occasionally ID is required to be left at a desk for various other reasons. A drivers license (some people even use an expired one for this purpose) is much less risky to leave than a passport, which should always be kept with you. In case of unforeseen emergencies it is always wise to have more than one type of photo ID with you. I recall friends flying after 911 needing two photo IDs to go through airport security. And should you lose your passport other identification would be very useful.

A better question is "Why not take my Drivers Licence? Can't do any harm."

I was glad to have my drivers license on a recent trip to Torcello. They held it while I used the audio guide at the church. I also have a copy of my drivers license and passport tucked away in a safe place.
I just feel more comfortable having both forms of ID.

I don't sign the backs of my credit cards and every single merchant on my recent trip to Scotland asked to see my ID. For the record, no one at home has ever asked me.

Why not bring it?

Why not? Well I was thinking that it's another thing that could get lost or stolen so if the only reason to bring it is for driving and I'm not driving, then why bring something that's unnecessary? It's not about "heaviness" but why bring one more item I don't need?

However, I like the idea of having an alternate ID in case I don't want to give up my passport so I'll probably bring it. Thanks all!

One of my Italian instructors suggested taking along an expired drivers license to use as ID in those places where you have to leave an ID in order to get an audioguide or whatever. I know not all states let you keep expired drivers licenses but Washington State does.

My wife had to replace her passport while in Italy and her driver's license was one of the documents they wanted to see. It sure can't hurt to have it otherwise.

You sprain your ankle on a cobblestone and you change your local travel plans.

I'm a "just in case" card and emergency info carrier and I probably take more than most. They're primarily medical and only relevant in the US. Even if I lived somewhere I could go directly from my home city non-stop to Europe, I'd still carry them.

Why? I drive myself to airport parking and I'm an old coot with medical issues that could arise before I ever get on that international flight. Once I get to my first lodging in Europe, I empty my money belt of everything irrelevant there and limit my stash to what is most relevant. For me that includes my passport, driver license, Medicare supplement (which can have some utility there) card, traveler's insurance card, emergency medical information and my 2 credit and 2 debit cards. The major money also goes in my moneybelt.

All that stuff slides around easily in my atypical moneybelt. It's the most comfortable and safest style for me. I never carry a wallet. It seems like wallets more easily disappear from travelers than anything else.

So you have to decide what you want to carry on your person in case you trip on that cobblestone. If the incident is bad enough and the helpers help themselves to your purse, hopefully they won't go digging under your clothes, too.