[throwaway92394]

You run into the same issue you do with 2FA -

I cannot remember my own SSN. What happens if I lose my license, SSN, and master password manager password in a fire? What happens if someone has a stroke and forgets a recent pin code, etc.

Do I go to my state and request new IDs? How do they authenticate me?

[hyperman1]

This has been solved by just about any other western country, and probably a lot of other countries.

E.g. I have an eID card. The gov can reset the pin. There are procedures to request a new one. Therecare revocation lists. Fake eIDs are rare. Its not perfect, but it works great compared to the USA.

The real problem is a semi religious fear of the US governement having working ID systems. So there are all kinds of half baked substitutes in use, that barely work and push the trouble on the end user. ID theft is a solved problem just about anywhere, if the US wants it, it can solve it too.