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Topic quiz · ID

Checking ID and minors: practice quiz

Questions on one of the most tested parts of Smart Serve: when the law says you must check ID, what counts as acceptable ID, how to spot a fake and how to refuse politely. Each answer cites the rule.

Checking ID and minors: practice quiz

About 8 questions, answers explained as you go

Like the real test, you pass with 80%. A new random set every time, from 128 questions.

The rules in 30 seconds

  • The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19. You must check ID before serving anyone who appears to be under 19.
  • Smart Serve’s advice: check anyone who looks younger than 25.
  • Acceptable ID has a photo, a date of birth, is government-issued (or an LCBO BYID card) and is not expired. No copies or phone photos.
  • You can’t ask for an Ontario health card, but you may accept one if it’s offered.
  • No ID, no sale. Even if the door checked, you’re still responsible at the table.

Want the full guide with the list of acceptable ID and fake-ID checks? Read checking ID in Ontario.

Study every question

Checking ID and minors (32)

By law, before serving a guest you must check their ID if they…

Answer: Appear to be under 19

The licensee must make sure ID is inspected before liquor is sold or served to anyone who appears to be under 19.

Smart Serve recommends checking ID when a guest looks younger than…

Answer: 25

The legal test is “appears under 19”. Smart Serve advises checking anyone who looks under 25 so you don’t guess wrong.

Under the regulation, what makes a document an acceptable piece of ID?

Answer: It has the person’s photo and date of birth and appears issued by a government or the LCBO

An “item of identification” includes a photo, states the date of birth and reasonably appears to be issued by a government or the LCBO.

A guest shows an Ontario driver’s licence that expired last year. What should you do?

Answer: Don’t accept it: expired ID isn’t valid

Valid ID must be current. The AGCO says expired ID is not valid.

A guest shows you a photo of their driver’s licence on their phone. Is it acceptable?

Answer: No: you must check the physical ID

Copies and photos of ID are not acceptable. You must check the physical card.

Which of these is NOT acceptable proof of age?

Answer: A college student card

Student cards aren’t government-issued ID. Smart Serve says never accept them.

Can you ask a guest for their Ontario health card as ID?

Answer: No, but you may accept it if they offer it

You can’t require an Ontario health card or record the number. If a guest offers it voluntarily, you may accept it at your discretion.

Which of these is on the AGCO’s list of acceptable ID?

Answer: Canadian Armed Forces identification card

The AGCO’s list includes the Canadian Armed Forces ID card, along with driver’s licences, Photo Cards, passports and other government photo ID.

A tourist from Germany shows a valid German passport. Can you accept it?

Answer: Yes: equivalent foreign photo ID like a valid passport is acceptable

The AGCO lists equivalent foreign photo ID, such as a valid passport or European Union identity card, as acceptable.

An Ontario licence or Photo Card issued to a 16- to 18-year-old shows…

Answer: An “AGE 19” banner with the date they turn 19

Cards for 16- to 18-year-olds carry an “AGE 19” banner near the bottom, beside the date of birth, with the exact date the holder turns 19.

On an Ontario driver’s licence, the licence number starts with…

Answer: The first letter of the holder’s last name

The licence number begins with the first letter of the last name, which you can match against the name on the card.

On an Ontario driver’s licence number, the 9th and 10th digits should match…

Answer: The last two digits of the birth year

The 9th and 10th digits (separated by a dash) match the last two digits of the year of birth. A mismatch is a red flag.

What’s the best way to look at a guest’s ID?

Answer: Hold it yourself and examine it closely

The AGCO says to take your time, hold the ID yourself rather than letting the patron flash it, and check the photo, birth date and expiry.

You feel extra thickness around the photo on a licence. What might it mean?

Answer: A second photo may have been laminated over the original

Extra thickness around the photo or lamination edges can mean a new photo was laminated over the original.

The digits in a birth date look thicker and darker than the other numbers. What does that suggest?

Answer: The date may have been altered

Numbers and letters should match in thickness, weight and colour. Altered characters often look heavier or darker.

You’re not sure an ID is real. What’s a good next step?

Answer: Ask simple questions, like their postal code or middle name spelling, or ask for a second ID

If you suspect fake ID, ask quick questions to check details or ask for a second piece of ID. If doubt remains, don’t serve.

A guest who looks about 18 says they left their ID at home. What do you do?

Answer: Refuse service: no ID, no sale

If someone appears to be under 19 and has no acceptable ID, you can’t serve them. The AGCO’s rule of thumb: no ID = no sale.

How should you refuse service to someone who may be under 19?

Answer: Politely decline, explain the law doesn’t allow it, and get a manager if needed

Decline courteously, explain that the law prohibits selling to minors, point to signage and ask a supervisor for help if needed.

The door staff checked IDs at the entrance, but a guest at your table looks very young. What should you do?

Answer: Ask for their ID yourself

Servers stay responsible for not serving minors even when the door has checked ID. When in doubt, ask.

A 17-year-old shows their older sister’s driver’s licence to buy a drink. Who is breaking the law?

Answer: The 17-year-old: it’s an offence to use ID not issued to you to buy liquor

No one may present documentation other than ID lawfully issued to them to get liquor. Minors also may not try to buy liquor.

You served a guest after checking a driver’s licence that looked genuine, and it later turned out to be fake. What helps protect you?

Answer: You checked the ID and had no apparent reason to doubt it

The Act says relying on prescribed ID is not a breach of the “appears under 19” rules if there was no apparent reason to doubt it was real or belonged to the person.

A 15-year-old is having dinner with their parents in your licensed restaurant. Which is true?

Answer: They can be there, but they can’t be served or have alcohol

Minors may be on licensed premises unless the licence prohibits it, but no one under 19 may have or drink liquor there.

A parent at your restaurant wants to pour a glass of wine for their 17-year-old. What’s the rule?

Answer: Not allowed: the parent exception only applies in a residence or private place

The Act lets a parent supply liquor to their child only in a residence or prescribed private place, not in a licensed establishment.

Your new coworker is 18. Which is true?

Answer: They can carry and serve liquor at work but can’t drink it

An 18-year-old may handle and possess liquor during their employment, but the drinking age is still 19.

A bar’s licence bans people under 19. Can an 18-year-old employee work there?

Answer: Yes, while on the premises for their job

The ban on under-19s entering doesn’t apply to an 18-year-old employed there while they are working.

You’re delivering a liquor order and the person at the door looks about 17. What must you do?

Answer: Inspect their ID before handing over the liquor

Before liquor is delivered to someone who appears to be under 19, their ID must be inspected. No valid ID, no delivery.

A hotel guest who is 17 asks for the key to the room’s mini bar. What’s the rule?

Answer: Don’t give it: mini bar keys can’t go to anyone under 19

The licensee must make sure a mini bar key or access device is not given to anyone under 19.

Can the AGCO send young people into a bar to test whether staff check ID?

Answer: Yes: the Act allows youth under 19 to be appointed to monitor compliance

The Registrar may appoint individuals under 19 to monitor compliance with the Act, regulations and standards.

If you’re charged with serving someone who “appeared to be under 19”, how is that decided?

Answer: The court can decide from the person’s appearance and the circumstances

In a prosecution, the court may determine from the person’s appearance and other circumstances whether they appeared under 19.

A guest gets angry when you ask for ID. What should you do?

Answer: Stay calm, hold your position and get a manager

Stay professional, hold your position (the law requires the check), refer them to a manager and call police if needed.

Where should you check an ID?

Answer: In good lighting, looking at holograms, seals and dates

Smart Serve says to check ID in good lighting and look for intact holograms and seals and any signs of tampering.

A licensee lets a minor buy liquor. According to the AGCO, what can it face?

Answer: A monetary penalty and a licence suspension or revocation

The AGCO says licensees who let a minor buy liquor or cannabis may face a monetary penalty of up to $100,000 and licence suspension or revocation.

Questions people ask

+At what age must you check ID in Ontario?

The law requires an ID check for anyone who appears to be under 19. Smart Serve recommends asking anyone who looks under 25.

+Can an 18-year-old serve alcohol in Ontario?

Yes. Staff who sell or serve liquor must be at least 18 (O. Reg. 746/21, s. 11). They can handle liquor at work but can’t drink it until 19.

Sources

Updated October 26, 2026. Not affiliated with Smart Serve Ontario or the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

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