The only problem is that without the actual license, you cannot determine if the license is for the person you stopped, or if the driver just gave you the name of a licensed driver... The picture ID helps to verify that the person you stopped is really the person who is licensed to drive.
Yes, but the DMV has the photo on file. Why can’t cops access that photo during a routine check? And usually a person is driving a vehicle associated with the same address as what is on his/her license.
My last post to you reminds me of a time when my license was either lost or stolen, I can’t remember which. Anywho, I went to the DMV/MVD to get a replacement, and they asked me for a photo ID. I think I found something to give them, but I had to ask the intelligent persons working there why they didn’t just use the photo on the screen to verify that I was who I said. I had my birth certificate and social security card. And they had a photo right there. It was less than two years old. But the law did not allow them to use the photo that was used for my actual identification. It was one of those shake your head moments.
There was another time when this happened to me, and I happened to be a college student. My purse must’ve been stolen because I had zero photo ID. The drivers license place told me a student ID would be sufficient. So I went to the university I was attending and asked for a new photo ID. What did I need to get that ID?????? Nothing. I just walked in and filled out a form. They took my picture. I took my new university ID to the MVD/DMV, and they accepted that photo ID. This was almost 20 years ago, and I thought the system was really messed up. After living in multiple states, I’ve determined they all have major flaws. I don’t think 9/11 made them much better—only more inconvenient.