ID cards in other countries

As the move towards identity cards in the UK gathers pace, BBC News Online takes a look at how a selection of other countries deals with the issue.

IDENTITY CARDS AROUND THE WORLD

Country	ID card status	Functions	Other information
France	Voluntary (police can request confirmation of ID but cannot demand the card)	Used to prove ID to open bank accounts, in financial transactions and as a travel document within the EU	Contains basic personal information, but no biometric data. Not used to get health or education services
Germany	Compulsory	Police, local government and customs business	Cards have PIN and other personal details
Italy	Compulsory (police can ask to see it)	To open bank accounts and for financial transactions and travel within EU	Contains basic personal information, but no biometric data. Not used to get health or education services
Japan	Voluntary	To access family records, open bank accounts, apply for passport and driving licence or as a form of ID itself	Photo driving licences used for ID. Foreigners living in Japan need Alien Registration card for tax, health care and public services
United States	None The Bush administration resisted calls for one in the wake of heightened security fears following the 11 September attacks	N/A	Photo driving licences used as unofficial forms of ID and can be used to prove identity and age
Source: Liberty/Charter88/International embassies

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