RSA Age Verification & ID Checking Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A customer presents a state ID that is horizontal in format but appears to be from a state that uses vertical IDs for underage patrons. What should you do?
- Accept it since horizontal IDs are always for adults
- Refuse service immediately without further inspection
- Examine the birth date carefully and compare the format to known valid IDs (Correct answer)
- Ask a manager to decide without inspecting the ID yourself
Correct answer: Examine the birth date carefully and compare the format to known valid IDs
Horizontal vs. vertical orientation is a useful cue, but you must still verify the birth date and check other security features to confirm validity.
Question 2: Which of the following is the MOST reliable method to determine if a customer meets the legal drinking age when you are uncertain?
- Ask the customer how old they are
- Calculate the age by subtracting the birth year from the current year
- Calculate the exact age using the full birth date (month, day, year) on the ID (Correct answer)
- Compare the customer's appearance to other patrons of legal age
Correct answer: Calculate the exact age using the full birth date (month, day, year) on the ID
Using the full birth date ensures you account for whether the birthday has occurred yet in the current year, making it the most accurate calculation.
Question 3: A group of five people enters together, and only one appears to be under 30. What is the best practice?
- Card only the person who looks under 30
- Card everyone in the group regardless of appearance (Correct answer)
- Card only those who look under 21
- Card no one if most appear to be of legal age
Correct answer: Card everyone in the group regardless of appearance
Many establishments follow a policy of carding everyone in a group or everyone who appears under a certain age (e.g., 30) to avoid bias and legal risk.
Question 4: A customer's driver's license shows they turn 21 tomorrow. Should you serve them alcohol today?
- Yes, they are close enough to the legal age
- No, they are not yet 21 years old and cannot be served (Correct answer)
- Yes, if a manager approves the sale
- Yes, as long as they sign a waiver
Correct answer: No, they are not yet 21 years old and cannot be served
The legal drinking age is 21; a person must have actually reached their 21st birthday before being served — not just be close to it.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a 'secondary ID' request when verifying age?
- To collect personal information for marketing purposes
- To provide additional verification when the primary ID raises doubts (Correct answer)
- To comply with a federal law requiring two forms of ID
- To slow down service and discourage underage customers
Correct answer: To provide additional verification when the primary ID raises doubts
A secondary ID is requested when the primary ID seems questionable, providing an additional layer of verification to confirm identity and age.
Question 6: An ID has a hologram that you cannot see clearly because the ID is scratched. What is the correct action?
- Accept the ID since scratches happen naturally
- Refuse service because the ID's security feature cannot be verified (Correct answer)
- Ask the customer to explain the scratch
- Shine a light on it and accept if any shimmer is visible
Correct answer: Refuse service because the ID's security feature cannot be verified
If a key security feature like a hologram cannot be verified due to damage, you cannot confirm the ID's authenticity and should refuse service.
Question 7: Which federal document is NOT typically accepted as a primary ID for alcohol purchases in the US?
- US Passport
- Military ID card
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- Social Security card (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Social Security card
A Social Security card contains no photo or birth date, making it useless for age verification; it is not an acceptable primary ID.
RSA Age Verification & ID Checking Procedures 2
A customer presents a state ID that is horizontal in format but appears to be from a state that uses vertical IDs for underage patrons.
What should you do?