What ID do i need to vote?
To vote in person at UK general elections and English local elections, you need an accepted form of photo ID. This includes a UK or EU passport, a driving licence, a Blue Badge, an older person's bus pass or a Voter Authority Certificate. Expired ID is accepted if the photo still looks like you.
Photo ID became compulsory under the Elections Act 2022. It applies to UK general elections, English local elections, police and crime commissioner elections and recall petitions. It does not apply to Scottish Parliament or Senedd elections, or to Scottish and Welsh council elections. Northern Ireland has required photo ID since 2003. Polling staff check that the photo matches your face.
Accepted documents include passports, driving licences, Blue Badges and PASS proof of age cards. Some travel passes and EU national identity cards also count. If you have none, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. Postal votes do not need photo ID. If you forget your ID, you can go home and return before 10pm with it. Bring your ID to the polling station on the day.
The rules may widen. The Representation of the People Bill, introduced in February 2026, would add UK bank cards to the list of accepted ID. The government says this would cut the share of people without accepted ID to under 1%. The bill was still going through Parliament in 2026, so check the latest list before polling day. Rules can change.
The left generally argues voter ID solves a tiny problem and stops some eligible people, often poorer or younger, from voting.
The right generally argues photo ID is a sensible safeguard against fraud that most people already have.
Britain is split. Now you decide.
In Population Decides you can keep, scrap or widen voter ID rules in Big Debates and see the reaction from voters and campaigners.
Play Population Decides freeCommon questions
Can I use an expired passport to vote?
Yes, as long as the photo still looks like you.
Do I need ID to vote by post?
No. Photo ID is only checked when you vote in person.
Do I need ID to vote in Scotland?
Not for Scottish Parliament or council elections, but yes for UK general elections.