Underage Patrons and Proof of Age
The age rule and the evidence rule
Selling alcohol to a person under the legal age is an offence, and so is allowing an underage person to drink on licensed premises in most jurisdictions. Your protection is evidence of age. Accept only approved photographic identification - typically a current driver's licence, passport, or a government-issued proof-of-age card. Check the photo matches the person, check the date of birth (count it, don't glance), check for tampering, expiry and holograms.
Common traps
- "They look 25" - appearance is not evidence. If in doubt, ask.
- "Their friend showed ID for both of them" - ID must belong to the person being served, and every person receiving alcohol needs their own.
- Expired or damaged ID - not acceptable; refuse politely and explain.
- Confiscating a suspected fake ID - usually not your authority; refuse service and report to the duty manager.
- Serving a minor "because their parent is buying" - secondary supply rules usually still apply; check the law in your jurisdiction and default to refusing.
- Not checking for adults buying for minors - watch for groups where one adult buys rounds for younger companions, and for hand-offs at the door.
Worked rule of thumb
"No ID, no alcohol - no exceptions, no arguments." Use the 25-year rule of thumb: if the customer looks under 25, ask for ID every time. When checking, hold the ID, look at the photo, look at the person, and read the birth year aloud in your head. If anything feels wrong, refuse and report.