This is a list of identity document policies by country. A national identity document is an identity card with a photo, usable as an identity card at least inside the country, and which is issued by an official authority. Driver's licenses and other cards issued by regional governments indicating certain permissions are not counted here as national identity cards. So for example, by this criterion, the United States driver's license is excluded, as these are issued by local (state) governments. Identity card policies by country Countries with compulsory identity cards According to a 1996 publication by Privacy International, around 100 countries had enacted laws making identity cards compulsory. In these countries, the card must be shown on demand by authorised personnel under specified circumstances. In some countries alternative proof of identity, such as a driving licence is acceptable. Privacy International said that "virtually no common law country has a card". One noticeable exception is Hong Kong (a common law jurisdiction) (reason see below). The term "compulsory" may have different meanings and implications in different countries. of a card may only become compulsory at a certain age. There may be a penalty for not a card or similar official identification such as a passport. In some cases a person may be detained until identity is proven. This facilitates police identification of fugitives. In some countries, police need a reason, such as suspicion of a crime or security risk. In other countries, police can ask for official identification without stating a reason. Random checks are rare, except in police states. Normally there is an age limit, such as 18, after which possession is mandatory, even if minors aged 15–17 may need a card in order to prove that they are under 18. In the European Union, a citizen's national identity card, if it complies with certain technical standards and states citizenship, can in most cases be used to travel (within the EU) in lieu of a passport. {| class="wikitable" ! Country ! width=200px|Name ! Description |- | | Tazkira(Afghan identity card) | The Tazkira is an electronic ID card issued to a citizen of Afghanistan. |- | | Letërnjoftimi(Albanian Identity Card) | The Letërnjoftimi is an electronic biometric ID card, compulsory upon 16 years old and costs 1200 lekë (€10). |- | | بطاقة الهوية الوطنية/ Carte nationale d’identité (Algerian National Identity card) | The Algerian national identity card is an electronic