Why does everyone recommend getting a nearby state?
I keep seeing advice to get an ID from a neighboring state rather than somewhere far away. But wouldn't a distant state be LESS suspicious since the bouncer wouldn't know what it's supposed to look like?
For example, I'm in the midwest. Everyone says get Illinois, Wisconsin, or Michigan. But wouldn't like... Oregon or Washington be better since midwest bouncers rarely see those?
I get the whole "don't use your home state" thing, but why specifically nearby states? Seems like people would be more familiar with those.
What am I missing here?
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Yeah, this is huge. I've seen people get so caught up on things like microprinting clarity or trying to pass the bend test that they forget the whole point is just being believable. A sick-looking ID that's clearly from across the country raises way more eyebrows than one from next door, even if it feels a little off. Location logic > trying to have a perfect tactile feel or material thickness copy every time.
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It's about the story being believable. If you're in the midwest and show an Oregon ID, the first question is "why are you here?"
But if you show a Wisconsin ID in Illinois, the story is simple - you go to school here, or you moved here for work, or you're visiting friends. Normal, believable reasons.
A west coast ID in the midwest is just... suspicious. Raises questions.
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I made the mistake of getting a California ID while living in New York. Every bouncer was like "why are you in NY with a CA license?" Had to make up elaborate stories every time.
Got a New Jersey ID and suddenly no one asks questions. Just scans it and lets me in.
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Also vendors are usually better at making IDs for nearby states. A vendor based in the US northeast makes better NY/NJ/PA IDs because they have real ones to reference and study.
A distant state ID might have small errors that a local to that state would notice, but your bouncer wouldn't.
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The sweet spot is: neighboring state, but not YOUR state, and not the state you're using it in.
So if you live in Ohio and go to school in Indiana, get a Michigan or Illinois ID. Close enough to be normal, far enough to not be too familiar.
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Ohhh that makes total sense. It's about the believability of your story, not the ID quality. Thanks for explaining!
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