ProServe Identification Requirements 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At what age threshold must a server request identification from a customer in Alberta?
- Everyone must show ID regardless of age
- Anyone who appears to be under 25 years of age should be asked for identification (Correct answer)
- Only people who look under 18
- ID is only required for purchasing spirits
Correct answer: Anyone who appears to be under 25 years of age should be asked for identification
Best practice in Alberta is to ask for ID from anyone who appears to be under 25, even though the legal drinking age is 18. This buffer zone helps prevent inadvertent service to minors.
Question 2: Which of the following is an acceptable form of identification for purchasing alcohol in Alberta?
- Student card
- A valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's licence or passport (Correct answer)
- Library card with photo
- Gym membership card
Correct answer: A valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's licence or passport
Acceptable identification must be government-issued, contain a photo, date of birth, and signature. Examples include a driver's licence, passport, or government-issued ID card.
Question 3: What three elements must be present on an acceptable piece of identification?
- Name, address, and phone number
- Photo, date of birth, and signature (Correct answer)
- Height, weight, and eye colour
- Name, email, and social media handle
Correct answer: Photo, date of birth, and signature
An acceptable ID must contain a photograph of the holder, their date of birth, and their signature. These three elements together help verify the person's identity and age.
Question 4: What should a server do if a customer presents an expired ID?
- Accept it as the photo and birth date are still valid
- Decline the ID as it is no longer valid and ask for a current form of identification (Correct answer)
- Accept it if it expired within the last year
- Accept it only for beer purchases
Correct answer: Decline the ID as it is no longer valid and ask for a current form of identification
Expired identification should not be accepted as it is no longer a valid document. The server should politely ask the customer for a current, valid form of identification.
Question 5: Is a digital copy of an ID (photo on a phone) acceptable for age verification in Alberta?
- Yes, digital copies are always accepted
- No, the original physical ID document is required for verification (Correct answer)
- Only if the photo is clear
- Only for regulars who have shown physical ID before
Correct answer: No, the original physical ID document is required for verification
Digital copies or photos of ID on a phone are generally not accepted for age verification in Alberta. The original physical document is required as digital copies can be easily altered or belong to someone else.
Question 6: What should a server do if they suspect an ID is fake or altered?
- Accept it to avoid confrontation
- Decline to serve, inform the customer why, and report the suspected fake ID to management (Correct answer)
- Confiscate the ID
- Serve the person but limit them to one drink
Correct answer: Decline to serve, inform the customer why, and report the suspected fake ID to management
If an ID appears fake or altered, the server should decline service, explain that the ID cannot be accepted, and inform management. The ID should not be confiscated by the server but may be held if police are called.
ProServe Identification Requirements 1
At what age threshold must a server request identification from a customer in Alberta?