# Why is an expired drivers license not an acceptible form of ID? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 30, 2005, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-an-expired-drivers-license-not-an-acceptible-form-of-id/328541 "2005-10-30T02:15:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-an-expired-drivers-license-not-an-acceptible-form-of-id/328541/101 "2024-12-31T04:51:21Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > as in you will lose your liquor license or get fined or be arrested for serving an actual 60 year old without asking for ID As I mention above, in San Francisco (where I did most of my drinking in the states, I’m not carded as much nowadays but that’s because I’m a suburban dad and rarely actually out of my house in a drinking establishment in the evening 😉 ) it’s not a violation in its own right if every customer doesn’t have a valid ID but it is strike against you with the ABC. So if you are found to be in violation then the punishment will be worse if you don’t card that 60 year old. It’s not hypothetical either they send undercover agents to check this kind of thing. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-an-expired-drivers-license-not-an-acceptible-form-of-id/328541/102 "2024-12-31T06:30:29Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > You are completely wrong about this. The idea that anyone who doesn’t look like a teenager (let alone an obviously middle aged person) would have to show ID to get a drink is entirely an American thing. I’m sure the UK - or Germany, or wherever - will refuse to serve you if you appear under their legal age, and you can assuage their concern with an ID that shows your age. > [@doreen](#): > > This is what I am saying I have never heard of - I have never heard of a state that _requires_ proof of age before serving , as in you will lose your liquor license or get fined or be arrested for serving an actual 60 year old without asking for ID. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Of note: In Colorado you are required to show ID to purchase alcohol if you **appear** to be under 50 years old. You missed the second part of my point - yes, the bar or store owner could use their discretion, “you look 25, why bother asking for ID”. BUT!! In the USA there is this thing called assorted names in different states that enforces equal rights. If you ask the 25yo that looks 17 for ID, but not the 30Yo who looks 30, the first guy can complain about age discrimination. The USA is also full of lawyers who would love to take a case on contingency and look for money. i asume in most European countries, such complaints will be laughed out the door. Hence carding my 90yo step-mother. If they card _everyone_ not just the young-looking ones, then they cannot fall afoul of a civil rights age discrimination complaint. The equivalent in some provinces in Canada will send test cases who look young to try and buy liquor, or gain admission to 18/19 only bars, sometimes with fake IDs or expired ID. The establishments AFAIK are not charged, but are given a warning. “You are not not following the guidelines”. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-an-expired-drivers-license-not-an-acceptible-form-of-id/328541/103 "2024-12-31T07:26:52Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > the first guy can complain about age discrimination. He could but it would not hold up in court. Age Discrimination deals with being 40 years old or over at work. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-an-expired-drivers-license-not-an-acceptible-form-of-id/328541/104 "2024-12-31T11:41:45Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > So if you are found to be in violation then the punishment will be worse if you don’t card that 60 year old. Are you talking about an actual written rule that enhances the punishment if everyone isn’t carded or are you talking about the person who decides the punishment has a range to choose from and people believe they use not carding everyone as a factor in deciding how much of a fine/how long a suspension to impose? ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-an-expired-drivers-license-not-an-acceptible-form-of-id/328541/105 "2024-12-31T11:53:51Z")
And even though states may have additional laws , they don’t apply in every situation - for example, my state protects those over 18 from ae discrimination in employment, apprentice programs , union membership, training, housing (except senior citizen housing) , credit and education. The law does not cover public accommodations such as a bar or restaurant or store or gym. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-an-expired-drivers-license-not-an-acceptible-form-of-id/328541/106 "2024-12-31T14:15:19Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > I’m sure the UK - or Germany, or wherever - will refuse to serve you if you appear under their legal age, and you can assuage their concern with an ID that shows your age I can speak for the UK here and even for people who look like teenagers who might be asked for ID, there is no requirement it has to be valid government issued photo ID. Plenty of 18 year olds don’t have driving licenses (in fact the last time I was asked for ID in the UK it was the 90s and we didn’t even have photos on driving licenses). The idea that a authentic driving license showing my name, age, and photo would be turned down because it just expired is ridiculous. AFAIK even that level of iD checking is more than you’ll ever see in Europe where the drinking age is lower . I have never heard of someone being asked to prove they are 16 or 14 or whatever. European dopers can correct me on this ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-an-expired-drivers-license-not-an-acceptible-form-of-id/328541/107 "2024-12-31T14:19:54Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > Are you talking about an actual written rule that enhances the punishment if everyone isn’t carded or are you talking about the person who decides the punishment has a range to choose from and people believe they use not carding everyone as a factor in deciding how much of a fine/how long a suspension to impose? As understand it is one of the formal parameters that are used by ABC hearings when deciding the punishment for an infraction (and as I understand it doesn’t have to be an infraction that has anything to with IDing people ) ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-an-expired-drivers-license-not-an-acceptible-form-of-id/328541/108 "2024-12-31T15:44:29Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > you can change a whole lot in 4 years. > > Some here in Wisconsin are good for 8 years. My sisters’ was. In that 8 years she aged 8 years, lost 105 pounds, and cut her hair. In no way does she even slightly resemble the picture on her 1997 license. Not even a little. In fact, she had a helluva time renewing it because the people at the DMV didn’t think it was her! If you have a valid Iowa driver’s licence at the time you enlist, that licence is automatically extended until six months after you leave the service. A friend went home to Iowa on leave once, and since the picture of the long-haired teenager on his licence looked nothing like the 35-yeqr-old career sailor that he was, he decided to get a new licence so he’d have one with a picture that looked like him. What the DMV clerk’s response amounted to was “That licence is still valid, you don’t need a new licence, we’re not going to give you a new licence, now get out of the way so I can help the person behind you.” ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-an-expired-drivers-license-not-an-acceptible-form-of-id/328541/109 "2024-12-31T19:12:45Z")
A little bit of a hijack When I renewed my teaching credential, I had to send a photocopy of my ID (not sure why). My renewal paperwork was kicked back to me as incomplete since I didn’t send a copy of a valid ID. According to the CDE, a valid Colorado driver’s license must include the barcode on the back so not sending that too made it invalid. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-an-expired-drivers-license-not-an-acceptible-form-of-id/328541/110 "2025-01-01T07:58:22Z")
Brings to mind “We don’t accept photocopies, only the originals.” “But I’m in a hurry!” “Then just fax it to us.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-an-expired-drivers-license-not-an-acceptible-form-of-id/328541.md?page=5)