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Alcohol Server · Checking Identification

What is a 'horizontal' versus 'vertical' format sometimes used on IDs to indicate?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

In many states, a vertical ID indicates the holder is under 21, while a horizontal ID indicates 21 or older

  1. A The person's height
  2. B The color of the card
  3. C Nothing at all
  4. D In many states, a vertical ID indicates the holder is under 21, while a horizontal ID indicates 21 or older

Why this is the answer

In many states, driver's licenses and ID cards for people under 21 are printed in a vertical (portrait) orientation, while IDs for those 21 and older are printed horizontally (landscape). This visual cue helps servers and sellers quickly flag a potentially underage customer, prompting a careful check of the date of birth. However, the orientation is only a cue, not a substitute for verifying the actual date of birth, and formats vary by state, so servers should always confirm age from the birth date itself.
Source: Responsible Beverage Service — ID Orientation

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About this topic: Checking Identification

Checking identification is the single most tested skill: which IDs are acceptable, how to spot a fake, what to do when an ID is expired, and the birthdate arithmetic for today's date. Every answer here should be something you can do in under thirty seconds at the bar. This is one of 13 Seller-Server questions on checking identification, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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