Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by WonderTeam. WonderTeam Wonders, “How do you prove who you are? ” Thanks for WONDERing with us, WonderTeam!

Do you look forward to the day when you can legally drive a car? Many kids do. It gives many people a sense of freedom. There’s nothing like slipping behind the wheel with the open road in front of you for the first time. It’s certainly something to look forward to.

But you all know what you have to do before you can legally drive. That’s right. You have to get your driver’s license. That little piece of plastic with your picture on it. Then, a whole new world opens up to you.

A license does more than allowing you to legally drive. A driver’s license can serve many important functions. One of the most important of those is identification. Your driver’s license helps you prove who you are!

There are many different types of identification (ID) cards in the world today. Each state issues its own form of driver’s licenseStates also issue birth certificates when people are born. Federal governments issue passports. Many companies also make ID cards for their employees.

ID cards identify who you are. This can be important in many settings. For example, have you ever been a patient in a hospital? If so, you know it’s very important to be able to identify the doctors and nurses helping you. That’s just one setting where identification cards can be helpful.

There are many situations in which you have to prove that you are who you are. Two examples are cashing a check and registering to vote. ID cards, especially those with your picture, allow you to prove your identity quickly.

People can also use ID cards for security purposes. Cards might include microchips, bar codes, and magnetic strips. These features contain information. The information can allow or block access to information or locations.

Lots of ID cards contain more than just your name and picture. Many cards, like drivers licenses, include your home address. Passports often list your home country. If you have an ID card for school or work, it probably has your student or employee number on it.

Can you get an ID card before you learn to drive? Of course! Sometimes, kids get passports to travel outside the country. Schools sometimes issue them to students, as well. Other times, kids might just get a photo ID issued by their state for any reason. 

Standards: CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1

Wonder What's Next?

Tomorrow’s Wonder of the Day combines history and geology!