ServSafe Alcohol Primary and ServSafe Alcohol Advanced Study Guide for the ServSafe

Identification for Alcohol Service

Fake IDs can look legitimate and sometimes customers don’t look their age, so it’s important to thoroughly check identification. Remember, you can be held liable.

When to Check IDs

You must ensure you never serve anyone under the age of 21, so follow your establishment’s guidelines and local laws. If a customer looks older than 21 but younger than 30 you may have to check their identification. Always check if unsure, even if the customer was previously checked by another staff member (such as being carded at the door, having drink tickets, wearing a wrist band, or being hand stamped). Never assume. Check the ID if a customer leaves and returns. Never serve customers under 21 or allow them service elsewhere. You can be held liable. If someone under 21 is trying to be served, inform management and staff because it’s everyone’s job to ensure an underage customer is never served.

How to Check IDs

Before allowing an ID, make sure it’s acceptable. Then make sure it’s valid, it hasn’t been altered or falsified, the customer is old enough, and the ID being presented belongs to the customer. Each of these steps have specific instructions.

Hold the ID

Always hold the ID yourself instead of letting the customer hold it up or leave it in a wallet. Ask for the ID to be removed so you can check both sides and feel the ID for authenticity. If asked why, politely inform the customer that it’s your policy.

Know Acceptable Types

Once the ID is in your hands, make sure it’s an acceptable proof of age. Some establishments don’t allow out of state driver’s licenses while others do. Ask management what forms of ID are acceptable at your establishment.

• State ID cards, passports, military IDs, and driver’s licenses are acceptable forms of ID in most states.

• A permanent resident card may be acceptable in some areas, but check with management.

• A school ID or a birth certificate is not acceptable.

Check Validity

A valid ID cannot be damaged or altered, must have a photo to verify the person who showed it owns it, a current date (that’s not expired), the owner’s birthdate so their age can be determined, and the owner’s signature.

Check for Alterations

In order to identify an altered ID you must know what a real ID looks like.

An up-to-date ID checking guide gives samples of driver’s licenses and state ID cards along with thorough descriptions of their security features. Managers should provide these guides, train on how to use them, and always know where they’re kept (near the POS system is a good place).

ID security features may include: ultraviolet text and imaging; special lamination that gives the card a certain texture, thickness, or flexibility; text or imaging that changes color or moves; smaller, less clear ghost photos somewhere on the card; microprinting (text that’s too small to read via the naked eye); or a vertical format (most states issue younger individuals a vertical layout ID if they are under 21).

Check the Guest’s Age

You need to know how to calculate a customer’s age to make sure they’re over 21. Some places have signage or calendars stating a “born on or before” date, which are very helpful. To calculate yourself, add 20 to the birth year plus one to make it easy. Or, if their birthday has passed, calculate by comparing the current date to the calculated date when the customer turns 21.

Match the ID to the Person

Make sure the ID belongs to the person showing it by comparing the ID photo to the person. Examine features like head and chin shape, how far apart their eyes are, shape and location of their ears, how far apart their eyebrows and hairline are, or scars. Also check what the ID says about hair, height, weight, eye color, and gender. Always ask for more proof if necessary, like having them sign something to compare signatures, or asking them things they should know, like their address, age, birthday, height, middle name, etc. If they hesitate, they may not actually own the ID.

Dealing with Fake IDs

If a customer shows you a fake ID, you can’t serve them alcohol and you may also have to refuse them entry into your business, confiscate the ID, or call the police, if required by your state and local law or your company policy. Always follow your establishment’s policy and your alcohol laws. In any case, be polite and use some of the communication techniques under the Communication section to come. Avoid judgement, rudeness, and “you” statements, and make sure you inform your manager and necessary coworkers if you have to confiscate an ID or deny entry.

ID Checking Tools

Remember that all government-issued IDs have barcodes, magnetic strips, or both on the back containing data about the owner, so always check the back. Inspect the card for signs of tampering, like unusual texture, holes, cuts, tears, or bubbles in the lamination, rough edges, blurry or raised images, and whether or not the ID is too thick or thin. Use ultraviolet lights to illuminate security features that don’t show under normal light, magnifying glasses to read microprint, flashlights to backlight the card revealing holes, cuts, or other signs of tampering, or an ID reader to use the magnetic strip or barcode for information to help check IDs in conjunction with your own in-depth inspection.