Category: ID Checking

Can I See Your I.D? What You Can and Can’t Accept As Valid Identification

Published on by TAM of Nevada6 Comments

Nevada_DL_AdultI.D. checking is one of the most important jobs of a hospitality professional. Checking I.D. keeps patrons safe, and it keeps things legal. Here at the TAM of Nevada office, we often get questions from students about which documents can be used as valid forms of identification for the purpose of selling alcohol. In a town like Las Vegas, full of tourists from around the world, with varying forms of I.D., do you know what you can accept?

Valid identification must be government-issued, contain the person’s photo, contain their birth date, and not be expired. Depending on the type of I.D. being presented, and which state or country it is issued from, it may also contain other information such as signature, mailing address, or gender. Nevada driver licenses, for example, also contain a signature.

Accepted forms of I.D. include:

  • Driver License or State Identification Card – These are the most commons forms of I.D. that hospitality professionals will be presented with.
  • Military ID – You may also see these, particularly around military bases.
  • Passport or Immigration Card – A passport is another common form of identification, particularly in a tourist town such as Las Vegas. Likewise, a Green Card (permanent resident card) is also acceptable I.D.

Forms of I.D. that are NOT acceptable for making alcohol sales include:

  • Concealed Firearm Permit – While a concealed weapon permit is a form of state-issued identification, it is not an acceptable identification for serving or selling alcohol. According to Nevada law at NRS 202.3653 – 202.369, Concealed Firearm Permits are valid for a period of 5 years and can be renewed for additional 5 year periods. A permit holder must carry the permit together with proper identification whenever they are in actual possession of the concealed firearm(s). For I.D. checking purposes, the permit is only good when you are also carrying another acceptable form of identification, so the point is moot for alcohol sales. A gun permit holder must also have another form of identification on their person. If you are presented with a concealed firearm permit to check I.D., simply ask to see their driver license or other form of identification.
  • Driver’s Authorization Card (DAC) – In Nevada, a Driver’s Authorization Card looks like a lot like driver’s license, but is not valid for serving alcohol, entering facilities where I.D. is required, or boarding an airplane.
  • Student ID, TAM® Card, and other non-government issued Photo I.D. – While a valid TAM® Card includes a photo of the card holder, that’s not enough to confirm identification. The same holds for student I.D.s and similar forms of membership identification.

When in doubt or if you have questions about I.D. checking, speak with your supervisor and review company policy for acceptable forms of identification. Your establishment may have an identification guide like the I.D. Checking Guide  for you to use – this will show you what to look for on various forms of I.D. to confirm authenticity. Additionally, your TAM® alcohol awareness class will teach you how to spot valid and bogus identification. For more information, visit our blog post on I.D. checking.

Questions or feedback? Head to the Comments section below and let us know about your I.D. checking experiences!

Five Reno Businesses Fail Alcohol Compliance Check

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

third party sales dangersThis past Saturday marked Reno’s Wine Walk event, and several businesses were cited for serving minors. The Reno area’s Regional Street Enforcement Team, comprised of area police departments, conducts regular alcohol compliance and TAM Card checks. On Saturday, the Team sent two 19 year-old volunteers out to attempt alcohol purchases at twelve area businesses. This time around, five of the twelve businesses made sales to the minors.

The penalties can be severe. In Nevada, serving alcohol to a minor and allowing a minor into a bar are misdemeanors, with a pre-designated fine of $500. Here are some tips for keeping things safe and legal:

  • Get your mandatory TAM® Card and alcohol awareness training. TAM® will train you on how to correctly check identification and how to spot fake, borrowed, or altered ID. Police officers may ask to see your alcohol awareness card during an alcohol compliance check, so it is important to be prepared.
  • Check ID very carefully, and look for any inconsistencies. Watch for anyone who seems either nervous, or over confident. When checking the birth date of a customer, don’t rely only on the birth year alone to confirm someone is of legal drinking age. Minors may try to pull a fast one on busy or distracted workers by purchasing alcohol just a few months or weeks shy of their 21st birthdays.
  • A hole punched into a driver license renders it invalid for identification purposes. The Nevada DMV may hole-punch driver licenses and identification cards when someone renews their license, transfers an out-of-state license, or a variety of other scenarios. The DMV will mail the new license to the individual, so this is just a temporary situation for license holders. The DMV will issue a temporary paper document with information matching the punched-out driver license. This document only serves as a confirmation that the application is pending; it is not a form of identification (Nevada DMV). Check with your employer for company policy on acceptable ID policy. Cautious businesses might want to request another form of valid identification such as a passport or military ID.

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ID Required – 5 Tips for Serving Alcohol-Infused Ice Cream and Other Sweet Treats

Published on by TAM of Nevada1 Comment

dreamstime_m_44129576Las Vegas has a reputation as a city that knows how to showcase creative products and ideas. It comes as no surprise that many local businesses were quick to adopt the popular trend of alcohol-infused gourmet dessert products. Wine ice cream, margarita popsicles, vodka-infused whipped cream garnishes and more are all popping up on menus across the city. But you may be asking – am I required to confirm a guest is 21 or older in order to sell or serve these products? The answer is YES. Ice cream may be a favorite treat of the younger crowds, but TAM® Card holders must be extra vigilant in ensuring that alcohol-infused products are only sold to those ages 21 and over.

Creative establishments across Las Vegas including BLVD Creamery, the Neapolitan, Regal Cinemas, and Galaxy Theatres, and retail products available from makers such as SnoBar, Mercer’s Dairy are all offering unique products aimed at the 21 and up crowd.

Nevada law regulates alcoholic beverages and products containing one-half of 1 percent or more alcohol by volume, may not be consumed by anyone younger than 21 years of age (Nevada Revised Statutes).

What does this means for servers and sellers? Here are some tips to keep in mind if you’re planning to serve up an alcohol-infused sweet treat:

  • Just like with any alcoholic beverage, it’s best to consume these alcoholic products in moderation. Each SnoBar ice pop, for example, holds the equivalent amount alcohol as one standard-size cocktail.
  • In the case of infused whipped creams and garnishes, make sure to include the alcohol content in your overall calculation of alcohol for any drinks you whip up! Topping off an alcoholic coffee beverage with infused whipped cream could pack an extra punch, which should not be overlooked.
  • Double check that your guests are being served exactly what they ordered. If you deliver an alcohol-infused product to a guest, aside from visually inspecting to make sure that they are receiving their correct order, you can repeat the beverage or dessert name to the patron upon delivery to confirm with them that they are receiving exactly what they ordered. If another staff member delivers to order to your patrons for you, swing by to make sure the order is correct and they are happy with their selection.
  • Make sure that alcopops and alcohol-infused desserts sold off-premises are displayed in areas dedicated to alcoholic products and are clearly labeled. It is also important to make sure that employees working at the checkout counters are properly trained to be aware of the contents and to check identification.
  • Servers and sellers should observe their guests just as they would if the guest was consuming a traditional alcoholic beverage and watch for signs of increased intoxication. Your mandatory alcohol awareness course will teach you what to watch for, and how to handle these situations.

alcohol infused dessertFor more tips on safe beverage service, complete your alcohol awareness training and obtain your TAM® Card today. Our courses are offered online, and in locations across the state of Nevada.

Checking I.D. – Do You Know How To Quickly and Easily Spot a Minor?

Published on by TAM of Nevada1 Comment

Nevada_DL_MinorNevada_DL_AdultUnderage drinking is a serious concern in Nevada, and police agencies are always hard at work to remind retailers, beverage servers, and teens that if they do not abide by the laws, they will face consequences. One of the front line defenses used to combat teen drinking is the issuance of driver licenses that not only contain standard information such as a photo and birthdate, but also contain additional clues that the I.D. holder is a minor. Do you know what to look for on a driver’s license to determine if you can legally and safely serve the card holder?

Like other states across the country, Nevada redesigned their driver licenses several years ago to make it easier to spot a minor. Nevada made it easier to spot a minor by switching from horizontal to vertical printing. While driver licenses and identification cards for drivers over the age of 21 follow the traditional horizontal format, driver licenses for those under the age of 21 are printed vertically on the front, and horizontally on the back. Additionally, the DMV imprints an age restriction notice on a minor’s license for any individuals who are aged 18 and under. If the card holder is under 18 at the time of issuance, the card will feature a red banner with the words “Under 18 Until” followed by the date the cardholder will turn 18. Cards issued at ages 18-20 are in the vertical format but do not include the red banner.

When checking a driver license, a hospitality worker should make sure not to always equate the vertically printed with minors only. Remember, 19 and 20 year olds will still hold a vertically printed I.D. card. While they may not be of an age to legally purchase and consume alcoholic beverages, they may still be legally of age to enter 18+ clubs and other venues. Your TAM training will teach you how to use proper diligent inquiry to determine if you’re looking at valid identification. Don’t send revenue somewhere else because you didn’t properly check I.D. Always refer to the birthdate on the front of an I.D. card, and determine if the license is expired or still valid, to correctly determine the card holder’s age, and if you are able to serve them.

For additional tips and tricks for checking I.D. and spotting minors using fake I.D., make sure to complete your mandatory alcohol awareness course with TAM of Nevada. Our seasoned instructors will teach you what to look for, and how to react. Also remember:

  • When checking a customer’s birth date, don’t rely solely on the birth year to confirm someone is of legal drinking age. Minors may count on busy servers to only check for the year of birth on an I.D. and try to order alcoholic beverages months before their 21st birthdays.
  • Would it be helpful to you to know what to look for on identification from all 50 states and Canada? Most establishments also have a guidebook, like the I.D. Checking Guide, for validating various forms of identification. Ask your manager if you have a guide like this in your establishment and refer to it as needed.

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