Alcohol Server · Checking Identification

What is a good practice when examining an ID to confirm age?

  1. A Glance at it quickly
  2. B Check the date of birth and expiration, verify the photo matches, and feel the card for alterations
  3. C Only look at the photo
  4. D Trust any ID that looks official

Why this is the answer

Good ID-checking practice includes verifying the date of birth (to confirm the person is 21 or older), checking that the ID is not expired, confirming the photo and physical description match the person, and physically handling the card to feel for tampering or alterations. Some servers also do the simple math from the birth date to be sure. Taking a few extra seconds to examine the ID thoroughly is far better than risking an illegal sale. A quick glance is not adequate verification.
Source: Responsible Beverage Service — Examining IDs