What the scheme is
PASS is a community interest company that accredits suppliers of proof-of-age cards across the UK. It launched in 2000, and says it was created to counter fraudulent ID and give young people a reliable alternative to carrying a passport or licence. PASS reports support from police, Trading Standards and trade bodies.
How a card is checked
PASS says the hologram is a registered trademark, which makes it a criminal offence to manufacture cards with similar marks. In its words, when a young person produces a card bearing the hologram, the retailer only needs to check the photo and the date of birth. That makes the card quick for a shop or door team to read, and it is why it is a fixed target for counterfeiters.
Which cards count
The UK has no national identity card. For age checks, the usual acceptable proofs are a passport, a photocard driving licence and a card bearing the PASS hologram. A card that merely says “student” or “ID”, or a printout, is not on that list. Sellers of “scannable” IDs imitate these documents and carry the legal risk described in fake ID and the law.
If you are a business
- Look at the hologram, then the photo, then the date of birth, and ask yourself whether the person matches.
- If you cannot decide, you can decline the sale.
- Do not accept a photo of a card on a phone.
The scheme’s own site is the place to read current guidance. For the other genuine photo ID, see checking whether a driving licence is real.
Frequently asked questions
What is a PASS card?
A proof-of-age card issued by a supplier accredited under the National Proof of Age Standards Scheme and bearing the PASS hologram.
What does a retailer check on a PASS card?
PASS says the retailer need only check the hologram, the photo and the date of birth.
Does the UK have a national ID card?
No. For age proof people usually use a passport, a photocard driving licence or a PASS-accredited card.