Age Verification Flashcards

What is the minimum age for purchasing alcohol in England and Wales?

Answer: 18 years old

The minimum age for purchasing alcohol in England and Wales is 18 years old — selling alcohol to a person under 18 is a criminal offence under the Licensing Act 2003.

What does the Challenge 25 policy require licensed premises to do?

Answer: Request proof of age from any customer who appears to be under 25 before selling them alcohol

Challenge 25 means that if a customer appears to be under 25, staff must request valid proof of age before completing an alcohol sale — it creates a safety margin to avoid selling to under-18s.

Which forms of ID are generally accepted under Challenge 25 schemes as proof of age?

Answer: PASS-hologram card, valid passport, or EU/UK photo driving licence — all of which confirm both identity and date of birth

Acceptable forms of age verification must include a date of birth and be difficult to forge — PASS-accredited cards, passports, and photo driving licences are the standard accepted forms.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, what offence is committed by a licensed premises that sells alcohol to a person under 18?

Answer: A criminal offence under s.146, with a maximum fine and potential licence review

Section 146 of the Licensing Act 2003 creates a criminal offence for any person who knowingly sells or attempts to sell alcohol to a person under 18, and for the premises licence holder who allows it.

What is a 'test purchase' in the context of alcohol licensing?

Answer: An undercover enforcement operation where a person under 18 (supervised by an adult officer) attempts to buy alcohol to test compliance with age verification procedures

Test purchase operations are conducted by trading standards and/or the police using young volunteers under 18 (with written consent) to test whether premises are properly checking age — a failed test can result in prosecution.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, what is the defence available to a staff member who sold alcohol to an under-18 person but was deceived by fake ID?

Answer: The 'due diligence' defence: the defendant took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the offence

Section 139 provides a 'due diligence' defence — if the seller genuinely believed the customer was 18+, having taken all reasonable steps to verify age (including asking for and checking what appeared to be valid ID), the defence may apply.