# Some Passing Thoughts about Showing ID to Buy Alcohol **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** beer\ **Created:** [August 27, 2026, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588 "2026-08-27T03:16:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/41 "2026-08-27T18:18:48Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Something that is Actually Dumb: at my grocery store you have to show proof of age to buy non-alcoholic beer. Yes, non-alcoholic beer. - Non-alcoholic beer is still .5% alcohol. Which means that minors shouldn’t be able to buy yeast raised breads. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/42 "2026-08-27T18:24:04Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Non-alcoholic beer is still .5% alcohol. Which means that minors shouldn’t be able to buy yeast raised breads. It’s less than .5%, which means it wouldn’t run afoul of any law. Mouthwash can be 50 proof and minors can still buy it. This is just a dumb store policy, not a law. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/43 "2026-08-27T18:26:50Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I can assure you that according to our regional head of IT, we don’t store any info from the scan - I would not be surprised if some larger chains lie about the info not being stored. > [@sunacres](#): > > Although I do understand the consternation at us 70-somethings being carded, it seems obvious to me that clerks are just doing what they’re supposed to do. Getting annoyed at them is petty, unproductive, and misdirected. Just pull out your damned ID and get on with your life. Oh, I am not angry at the clerk- yes just doing their job. It is the chain upper management that made that decision. And since I would be a fool if I trusted target after several breaches, i just sent off a letter and no longer shop there. > [@DPRK](#): > > I agree that an “expired driver’s license” is not an identity document. Why are you carrying one around? If a recently expired, it makes sense. People forget. > [@DPRK](#): > > _Scanning_ the ID to put you on the list of bad people who smoke and drink bad things seems like beyond the pale, though; despite @Sylvanz 's assurance, I have personally experienced businesses abusing my personal information, and I would just not buy anything there— definitely not going to try arguing with the cashier, who, as described, was probably trained and required to do certain things. Right, why trust them? ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/44 "2026-08-27T18:35:20Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > In a lot of situations, the store won’t even sell to an adult who is with someone underage. I never had a problem when it was an actual child with me- but the store clerk doesn’t know if the adult is actually the 15 year old’s parent or someone the kid found in the parking lot and offered $10 to buy the beer. UK is the same- if there is any indication that the alcohol may be for someone underage the seller is supposed to refuse the sale. I had one parent absolutely blow up at me when I worked retail for asking their teenage son for ID when he’d picked out a beer and handed it to mum to buy- he had ID and he’d only just turned 18 (legal age here)- because it’s crazy that a minimum wage shop assistant can override a parent’s decision like that. Then as they were leaving, she stopped, apologised and said ‘I’ve just been thinking; my 15 year old went on a sleepover at a friend’s place and the dad took them out and let them pick out some alcoholic drinks to try, and I was _furious_ about it. Either I think you should allow it or I don’t, I can’t really have it both ways, can I?’ ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/45 "2026-08-27T18:37:29Z")
The risk to the cashier. We could get led out in handcuffs for selling to a minor. It’s expensive, embarrassing, and life destroying. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/46 "2026-08-27T18:43:06Z")
Yes, I’m in Arizona and my driver’s licence is good until I’m 65, which I find ridiculous. When you check into my -and probably most - hotels you have to show a government issued photo ID. You would not believe how many people show us their CostCo card. I have no idea why they think that qualifies. Years ago I was checking someone in and typing their address from the DL. I stopped, stared, and said “they misspelled Field”. the guy sighed, agreed and said because it was in rural Texas the DMV there refused to correct it because Feild was clearly the correct spelling. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/47 "2026-08-27T18:44:51Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Then the adult _should_ buy it. I mean, yes they should. But assume it’s a cash transaction, does that mean the adult actually has to hand the cash to the cashier? That shouldn’t be a problem, but seems like an unnecessarily fussy requirement. > [@doreen](#): > > but the store clerk doesn’t know if the adult is actually the 15 year old’s parent or someone the kid found in the parking lot and offered $10 to buy the beer. why would that matter? The adult in that instance is purchasing alcohol, end of story. Since when do stores care or keep track of what you do with your purchases after paying for them? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/48 "2026-08-27T18:46:58Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > The risk to the cashier. We could get led out in handcuffs for selling to a minor. It’s expensive, embarrassing, and life destroying. I have checked around a few news articles- the only clerks i found that were “arrested” (mostly just cited, but yes, some handcuffed) was because they did not check ID at all. > [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > The adult in that instance is purchasing alcohol, end of story. Since when do stores care or keep track of what you do with your purchases after paying for them? If an adult is buying booze for a known underaged person, then the adult (assuming not a parent of said person) is violating the law. And it can cause issues if the clerk knows that the adult is doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/49 "2026-08-27T18:47:05Z")
> [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > Since when do stores care or keep track of what you do with your purchases after paying for them? With alcohol, quite some time. They will card everyone in a group if they think someone is underage. If they see people in the car when you pull in that appear underage they may refuse a sale. It’s pretty common. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/50 "2026-08-27T18:48:34Z")
I believe you. I’ve never seen it, and I would make quite the fuss if I was refused a purchase of alcohol if I happened to be with my son ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/51 "2026-08-27T19:01:04Z")
Yes, I am “such a stickler” because it’s _illegal._ A student ID is not a valid picture ID. Review my list from earlier: All current driver liscenes or state issued ID, military ID, current passports. Those are the only _ **valid picture** _ ID that we can accept by law. No I cannot take your gun permit, your work ID, your student ID. One guy is an absolute asshole about wanting to use his gun permit. Good dog you drove here; why not get out your driver liscense? Cause he wants to be an ass and prove some sort of point. People can be such jerks. I could go to jail and have to pay huge fines. (which could be difficult as I would be unemployed). And it’s not even that so much as it is the law and I will follow it whether you make a big tantrumy scene or not. Tl; Dr: I’m following the law and my store’s policy. Get over it and go somewhere else if you don’t like it. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/52 "2026-08-27T19:01:15Z")
If your son is 6, it’s unlikely to happen. If you son is 19, it’s more likely to happen. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/53 "2026-08-27T19:04:29Z")
in Ohio (where I’m located), a underage person can drink in a bar or restaurant an alcoholic drink that their parent purchases for them. So, I can take my son to a restaurant, order a beer, hand it to him, and he can legally drink it. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/54 "2026-08-27T19:06:20Z")
Oh, we care. If we even if we suspect an adult is buying for a minor we are to refuse the sale. Incidentally, in MI I believe parents are not legally supposed to give kids alcohol. I’m not positive of that, but either way we cannot sell if we think it’s going to a minor. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/55 "2026-08-27T19:10:43Z")
understood. I think state laws differ and that is what I am seeing. As I mentioned, it is legal for an adult to buy alcohol and give to their minor child in public establishments (e.g. restaurants) or in private property. So in Ohio, I can buy alcohol with my child with me, and I’ve never had an issue with that, since it would be completely legal even with the understanding that I was going to give it to my minor child when we got home. ETA - it remains illegal for minors to possess alcohol in public spaces, even if their parents are present and consent. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/56 "2026-08-27T19:12:12Z")
I’m positive that in Michigan a minor cannot drink alcohol in a bar or restaurant no matter who bought it and handed it to them. You would get bounced so fast it would make your head spin. Bar owners like their liquor licences and letting minors drink in their business is a fast track to losing said license. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/57 "2026-08-27T19:15:39Z")
yes, that is my understanding as well. As I said, Ohio law is different and that is probably why I have never had this happen to me. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/58 "2026-08-27T19:23:40Z")
> **[Section 4301.69 - Ohio Revised Code | Ohio Laws](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4301.69)** In order for it to be legal in Ohio, the parent must be present with the minor when the alcohol in consumed. So, while it can be legal in a restaurant or bar, that assumption wouldn’t necessarily protect a liquor store since they can’t monitor the consumption. Also, while it is legal to do so in certain situations, the establishment many decide to not allow it for their own reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/59 "2026-08-27T19:25:30Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > The states do. > Doesn’t mean a private entity has to accept it. This. The law says that every state has to accept the validity of an official document issued by another state. New York, for example, couldn’t enact a law saying you have to have a New York driver’s license to drive in New York; they have to accept the validity of your New Mexico driver’s license (as long as it’s up to date). But a private business like a convenience store can set its own policy. They can decide they only accept ID documents from within the state if they wish. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588/60 "2026-08-27T19:39:22Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > All current driver liscenes or state issued ID, military ID, current passports. Those are the only _ **valid picture** _ ID that we can accept by law. I’m not looking to argue with you about what your employer allows you to accept. - but this is not as clear as someone probably thinks it is. “State ID” might refer to any number of things. Like a student ID issued by a public college. Or a work ID issued by a state agency - my work ID from a state agency involved a lot more checking than my driver’s license did. But assuming you’re in MIchigan this is the actual law (from [here)](https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/lcc/enf-viol/enforcement-information) **What constitutes a valid identification when I make a sale of alcoholic liquor?** > The law requires that someone making the sale of alcoholic beverages to a customer to make a “diligent inquiry” as to that persons age. MCL 436.1701(11)(b) of the Michigan Liquor Control Code states “Diligent inquiry means a diligent good faith effort to determine the age of the person, which includes at least an examination of an official Michigan operator’s or chauffeur’s license, an official Michigan personal identification card, a military identification card, or _any other bona fide picture identification which establishes the identity and age of the person._” It should be emphasized that the ultimate responsibility rests with the seller. If you are not convinced that the buyer is 21 or over, do not make the sale. (emphasis added) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-passing-thoughts-about-showing-id-to-buy-alcohol/1032588.md?page=4)