Alcohol Server · Checking Identification

If two customers hand over IDs but one person's ID clearly belongs to someone else, the server should:

Correct answer

Decline service for the mismatched ID and not serve alcohol to that person

  1. A Decline service for the mismatched ID and not serve alcohol to that person
  2. B Keep the ID and serve them
  3. C Serve only the taller one
  4. D Serve both

Why this is the answer

If an ID clearly belongs to someone else — the photo or physical description does not match the person presenting it — the server should decline to serve alcohol to that individual, because they have not validly verified that the person is of legal age. Using someone else's ID is a common tactic by minors. The server need not make accusations but should simply not complete the sale without valid identification. Following this rule protects the server from the serious consequences of serving a minor. When in doubt, do not serve.
Source: Responsible Beverage Service — Mismatched ID

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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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