ServSafe Alcohol Checking for ID Study Guide and Quiz with multiple choice questions and answers for ServSafe Alcohol Course. As a server or bartender, it is your responsibility to make sure that alcohol is being served to individuals who are of legal drinking age.
Checking identification is an important part of this process, as it helps to ensure that you are not serving alcohol to underage individuals. In this article, we will discuss best practices for checking identification according to ServSafe® Alcohol Training.
Why is Checking ID Important?
There are several reasons why checking identification is important when serving alcohol. Firstly, it helps to ensure that you are not serving alcohol to underage individuals, which is illegal and can result in serious consequences for you and your establishment. Secondly, checking identification can help protect your establishment from liability in the event that an underage individual is served alcohol and subsequently causes harm to themselves or others.
How to Check ID?
When checking identification, there are several key steps to follow:
- Ask for Identification: Ask the customer to provide a form of identification to verify their age. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, passport, military ID, or state ID card.
- Verify the Identification: Once you have been provided with identification, take the time to carefully examine it. Look for the expiration date, as well as any signs of alteration or damage. Make sure that the photo on the identification matches the customer in front of you.
- Calculate the Age: Determine the customer’s age based on the birth date listed on the identification. In some cases, you may need to do a quick mental calculation to verify the age.
- Make a Decision: Based on the information you have gathered, decide whether or not to serve alcohol to the customer. If the customer is underage or you have any doubts about their age or the validity of their identification, it is best to err on the side of caution and not serve alcohol.
Tips for Checking Identification
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when checking identification:
- Be Consistent: Make sure that you are checking the identification of every customer who orders alcohol. This helps to ensure that you are not accidentally serving alcohol to underage individuals.
- Know Your State Laws: Be aware of the legal drinking age in your state, as well as any other relevant laws related to alcohol service.
- Be Polite: While it is important to be thorough when checking identification, it is also important to be polite and respectful to customers. Remember that checking identification is a necessary part of the job, but it does not have to be confrontational or uncomfortable.
In conclusion, checking identification is an essential part of responsible alcohol service. By following best practices for checking identification, you can help to ensure that your establishment is in compliance with state laws and is providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all customers.
ServSafe Alcohol Checking for ID Quiz
Q1. What is the primary reason for checking identification when serving alcohol?
- A) To verify the customer’s name
- B) To prevent underage drinking
- C) To confirm the customer’s address
- D) None of the above
Answer: B) To prevent underage drinking
Q2. What forms of identification are typically acceptable for verifying a customer’s age when serving alcohol?
- A) Birth certificate or social security card
- B) Student ID or library card
- C) Driver’s license or passport
- D) None of the above
Answer: C) Driver’s license or passport
Q3. When checking identification, what should you be looking for in terms of the expiration date?
- A) The expiration date should be within the past year
- B) The expiration date should be within the past 6 months
- C) The expiration date should not have passed
- D) None of the above
Answer: C) The expiration date should not have passed
Q4. What is the best course of action if a customer is unable to provide valid identification when ordering alcohol?
- A) Refuse to serve them alcohol
- B) Offer them a non-alcoholic beverage instead
- C) Allow them to order alcohol but monitor their behavior closely
- D) None of the above
Answer: A) Refuse to serve them alcohol
Q5. Why is it important to be consistent when checking identification?
- A) To avoid offending customers who are of legal drinking age
- B) To ensure that you are not accidentally serving alcohol to underage individuals
- C) To make the identification process go faster
- D) None of the above
Answer: B) To ensure that you are not accidentally serving alcohol to underage individuals
Q6. Why is it important to check for signs of alteration or damage on identification cards?
- A) To make sure the customer did not forge the identification card
- B) To confirm that the identification card is valid and unaltered
- C) To verify the customer’s name and address
- D) None of the above
Answer: A) To make sure the customer did not forge the identification card
Q7. What should you do if a customer’s identification is expired, but they are of legal drinking age?
- A) Refuse to serve them alcohol
- B) Allow them to order alcohol, but monitor their behavior closely
- C) Serve them alcohol
- D) None of the above
Answer: A) Refuse to serve them alcohol
Q8. Why is it important to know your state laws when serving alcohol?
- A) To make sure you are not serving alcohol to minors
- B) To avoid legal liability for your establishment
- C) To provide a safe and enjoyable environment for all customers
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Q9. How should you calculate a customer’s age when checking identification?
- A) Ask the customer how old they are
- B) Use a calculator to do the math
- C) Estimate the age based on the customer’s appearance
- D) Calculate the age based on the birth date listed on the identification
Answer: D) Calculate the age based on the birth date listed on the identification
Q10. What should you do if you have doubts about the authenticity of a customer’s identification?
- A) Ask the customer for a different form of identification
- B) Ask a manager or supervisor for assistance
- C) Allow the customer to order alcohol anyway
- D) None of the above
Answer: B) Ask a manager or supervisor for assistance
As a reminder, these questions and answers are for reference only and are not intended to be used for any official or certification exams. ServSafe® is a registered trademark of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.