Smart Serve Checking Identification & Age Verification — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Ontario's Liquor Licence Act, what is the legal minimum age to purchase or consume alcohol?
- 18 years old
- 19 years old (Correct answer)
- 21 years old
- 16 years old
Correct answer: 19 years old
The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19 years old. Servers must refuse service to anyone who appears to be under 19 and cannot produce valid ID.
Question 2: Which of the following is considered an acceptable primary form of photo ID for age verification in Ontario?
- A library card with a photo
- A student card from a university
- A valid Ontario driver's licence (Correct answer)
- A gym membership card with a photo
Correct answer: A valid Ontario driver's licence
A valid Ontario driver's licence is government-issued, contains a photo, date of birth, and signature, making it an acceptable primary ID. Non-government-issued cards are not sufficient on their own.
Question 3: What does the '30 and Under' guideline recommend servers do?
- Refuse service to anyone under 30
- Ask for ID from anyone who appears to be 30 or under (Correct answer)
- Only serve alcohol to customers over 30 without checking ID
- Apply a 30% surcharge to tables with guests under 30
Correct answer: Ask for ID from anyone who appears to be 30 or under
The '30 and Under' guideline recommends asking for ID from anyone who appears to be 30 years of age or younger, to ensure you are not inadvertently serving a minor.
Question 4: When checking a customer's ID, which feature should you look for to confirm it is genuine?
- The colour of the card stock
- Security features such as holograms or UV markings (Correct answer)
- Whether the customer's name sounds real
- The thickness of the card
Correct answer: Security features such as holograms or UV markings
Legitimate government-issued IDs contain security features such as holograms, UV-reactive ink, microprinting, and raised lettering. Checking these features helps detect fake or altered IDs.
Question 5: A customer presents an ID showing they were born on today's date 19 years ago. What should you do?
- Refuse service because they are not yet 19
- Serve them because they turn 19 today (Correct answer)
- Ask for a second piece of ID to confirm
- Call the police before making a decision
Correct answer: Serve them because they turn 19 today
Under Ontario law, a person is considered to have reached the age of majority (19) on their birthday. If today is their 19th birthday, they may legally be served alcohol.
Question 6: If you suspect an ID has been altered or tampered with, what is the correct course of action?
- Accept it if the photo looks like the customer
- Confiscate the ID and call police immediately
- Refuse service and politely return the ID to the customer (Correct answer)
- Allow a manager to serve the customer instead
Correct answer: Refuse service and politely return the ID to the customer
If you suspect an ID is fake or altered, you should refuse service and politely return the ID. You are not legally authorised to confiscate it, but you must not serve the individual.
Smart Serve Checking Identification & Age Verification
Under Ontario's Liquor Licence Act, what is the legal minimum age to purchase or consume alcohol?