- The alcohol condition names three features: a photograph, a date of birth and a holographic mark.
- GOV.UK's examples are photocard driving licences, passports and proof of age cards with the PASS hologram.
- The condition came into force on 1 October 2010 for licensed premises and clubs in England and Wales.
- For remote sales, photo ID should be shown at the point of delivery.
The three features and what each one proves
| Feature | What the person checking it is looking at |
|---|---|
| Photograph | Whether the face on the document is the face in front of you |
| Date of birth | Whether the holder is old enough on the day of the sale |
| Holographic mark | Whether the document carries a security feature that is hard to copy |
The condition does not give a closed list of documents. It gives examples, and then adds that other forms of ID which meet the same criteria are also acceptable. That is why a bar can take a passport from one customer and a PASS card from the next without breaking its own policy.
What the PASS hologram is
PASS, the National Proof of Age Standards Scheme, is a community interest company that accredits the suppliers of proof of age cards. It was set up in 2000. Its hologram is a registered trademark, and the scheme states that making cards with a mark similar to the PASS one is a criminal offence. Accredited suppliers verify the applicant's age and personal details before they issue a card.
PASS advises sellers to look for the hologram and to check the photo and the date of birth. The Home Office encourages premises to treat PASS cards as their preferred proof of age, but nobody is required to hold one; more on that in PASS cards.
Two checks sellers are told to make
- Ask for ID from anyone who appears to be under 18 before serving them. That is the legal trigger; many businesses set the bar higher, as Challenge 25 explains.
- Check the document against the person, then read the date of birth and look for the hologram.
- For goods sold online or by mail order, have the courier ask for photo ID at the point of delivery. GOV.UK says the condition applies to remote sellers.
The same word, different lists
There is no UK-wide identity card, so what counts as ID depends on who is asking and why. The alcohol rule is only one list.
| Situation | What the body in charge says |
|---|---|
| Buying alcohol (England and Wales) | Photo, date of birth and hologram; examples are a photocard driving licence, a passport or a PASS card |
| Sitting the CITB health, safety and environment test | One primary document: UK or international passport, UK or European photocard driving licence, or an eVisa shown through a UKVI account. Failing that, one document from a photo list plus one from a signature list. Originals only, unexpired, in the name used for the booking |
| Proving status to a landlord or employer | A share code from the online eVisa service, not a card; see right to work checks and right to rent checks |
The CITB rule is stricter in one respect: candidates who cannot produce the right ID are not admitted, and the test fee is not refunded. See the CITB test guide.
If you are asked for ID and have none that fits
- Look at the document you do have: if it lacks a photo, a date of birth or a hologram, a careful seller can refuse it.
- Apply to an accredited PASS supplier for a proof of age card, which carries all three features. PASS does not give prices; ask the supplier.
- Do not borrow someone else's document or buy a copy. Using a false or borrowed identity document is a criminal matter; see fake ID and the law.
Sellers of fake IDs advertise scanning or hologram claims. A hologram is only worth something when the issuer controls who gets it, which is the reason the PASS mark is protected by trademark and criminal law.
Frequently asked questions
What ID is accepted to buy alcohol?
ID bearing a photograph, a date of birth and a holographic mark. GOV.UK's examples are a photocard driving licence, a passport and a PASS card. The condition adds that other ID meeting those criteria is also acceptable.
Is a PASS card required?
No. The Home Office encourages premises to accept PASS cards as their preferred proof of age, but a passport or photocard licence that has the three features is also acceptable.
Do online alcohol sellers have to check ID?
Yes. GOV.UK says the condition applies to companies that sell alcohol remotely, such as online or by mail order, and that photo ID should be shown at the point of delivery.
Who has to follow the condition?
Licensed premises and clubs with a club premises certificate in England and Wales. It came into force on 1 October 2010 under the Licensing Act 2003 (mandatory licensing conditions) order 2010.
Does the same ID work for a CITB test?
Not always. CITB asks for original, unexpired ID in the name you booked under, such as a passport, photocard driving licence or an eVisa. A PASS card is not on its primary list.