Photo ID

[Rockslinger]

Can anyone clarify the law in this area?

A bar in Calgary asked their patrons to show photo ID upon entering. I think someone took them to court and the court said it is illegal for the bar to ask their patrons for photo ID. On the other hand, a hotel asks you to show photo ID when you register because they say it is required by law. Why should the hotel have the right to ask for your photo ID plus a recognized credit card ?

 

[calloway]

Legal Drinking Age - Smart Serve

In Ontario the legal age to drink alcohol is 19 years old. The legal age to serve alcohol in a licensed establishment is 18 years old.

The only acceptable forms of age identification include:

• an Ontario driver's licence with a photo
• a Canadian passport with a photo
• a Canadian citizenship card with a photo
• a Canadian armed forces card with a photo
• an LCBO BYID photo card

 

[Rockslinger]

In Ontario the legal age to drink alcohol is 19 years old. The legal age to serve alcohol in a licensed establishment is 18 years old.
The only acceptable forms of age identification include:

That bar was in Alberta and I think they were asking and writing down (or photocopying) all ID info, even if one looks 50 years old. I think one of their patrons is a law school student and he went to court and won.

 

[moresex4me]

That bar was in Alberta and I think they were asking and writing down (or photocopying) all ID info, even if one looks 50 years old. I think one of their patrons is a law school student and he went to court and won.

You just answered your own question. They need to id people to ensure they are old enough to be served. They do not need to copy down any information or photocopy that id. That's probably where the issue was, but let's allow a lawyer to pipe in.

 

[elmo]

Could it also be verification of a guest list name? I've had this in the past but only had to show ID, never had anyone copy the information.

 

[BoringBob]

Can anyone clarify the law in this area?

A bar in Calgary asked their patrons to show photo ID upon entering. I think someone took them to court and the court said it is illegal for the bar to ask their patrons for photo ID. On the other hand, a hotel asks you to show photo ID when you register because they say it is required by law. Why should the hotel have the right to ask for your photo ID plus a recognized credit card ?

Because the hotel is entering into a legal lease agreement with you, not just verifying your age as a requirement of license. It isn't any different from renting an apartment or a car. The people who are renting something to you what to know who you are. You are signing a contract.

Did you notice you don't have to sign a contract to enter a bar?

 

[elmo]

Hey Bob, makes sense for the hotel but I don't understand your point about the bar. Why would they need to record information?

 

[to-guy69]

16 to drive
18 to vote
19 to drink
21 to rent a sports car

 

[calloway]

If she was serving alcohol at 16 years of age... it was done illegally.

She can work in the bar at 16 years of age... but can't serve alcohol.

 

[tboy]

If she was serving alcohol at 16 years of age... it was done illegally.

She can work in the bar at 16 years of age... but can't serve alcohol.

Exactly, many hotels, bars, restaurants hire 16 yr olds (or younger) to bus tables etc. Nothing wrong with that......

 

[calloway]

Correct... just as long as they don't personally serve alcohol.

 

[Rockslinger]

there were at least 2 places while i lived in calgary that did this. they operated as private clubs and required all patrons to give over id as well as sign into a guest book

I think the law applies differently to private clubs versus "public" clubs.

 

[CapitalGuy]

The only acceptable forms of age identification include:

• an Ontario driver's licence with a photo
• a Canadian passport with a photo
• a Canadian citizenship card with a photo
• a Canadian armed forces card with a photo
• an LCBO BYID photo card

What about an Ontario Health Card? Its government issued photo ID.

 

[calloway]

What about an Ontario Health Card? Its government issued photo ID.

I copy and pasted from the Smart Serve website which is the mandatory training program provided to all workers in Ontario who serve alcohol.

 

[C Dick]

16 to drive
18 to vote
19 to drink
21 to rent a sports car

I thought you had to be 25 to rent any car, that under 25 you could rent a truck, not a car.

And you can't drive on your own until 16 years 8 months at the earliest.

I have only been asked for photo ID in a hotel once, the same stupid Monte Carlo Inn would photocopy my ID every time. No other hotels ever ask me. Is it common?

 

[anon1]

I remember that the bars are doing this because there were a lot of fights and trouble making outside their doors. The police were making them responsible for the actions of their customers, even outside. They kept copies of photo ID in order to identify troublemakers.
They did this in Europe to identify the soccer hooligans.

 

[ig-88]

I thought you had to be 25 to rent any car, that under 25 you could rent a truck, not a car.

And you can't drive on your own until 16 years 8 months at the earliest.

I have only been asked for photo ID in a hotel once, the same stupid Monte Carlo Inn would photocopy my ID every time. No other hotels ever ask me. Is it common?

It depends on the rental company and the jurisdiction.

For example, let's take Budget.

http://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/home/home.ex

At their corporate-owned locations in New York and Michigan, rentals are available for age 18-24, for additional fees.

The Pearson Budget has a minimum age of 25.

 

[Anynym]

i've been told so many times now, (cuz sometimes i used to get vexxxed when bouncers aks me for id, certainly i look old enough to drink he he) the clubs/bars want to ensure everybody has id, just incase you have to be identified when you all burn in hell lol....in case something happens to you in the bar, they have to call ambulance, you sue them, etc...one is required by law to walk with id at all times...correct me if i m wrong?

The Liquor Inspectors have often challenged bar operators to prove that a patron was of age, especially if they see the bouncers only selectively asking for ID.

If the bar asks everyone for ID, the bar owners can simply point out their policy, and the evidence that they enforce that policy, as evidence that every patron is of age.

Often, restaurants (which allow both underaged and age-of-majority patrons in) will further distinguish alcoholic drinks from non-alcoholic drinks by serving alcohol only in clear glass (or plastic beer cups), and serving non-alcoholic drinks only in sturdy plastic cups. This is done so that the staff can quickly identify if someone underage has an alcoholic drink in their hand, and correct the situation.

It's not that you're legally required to have ID on you at all times, but you can be refused entry to various private establishments if you don't have appropriate ID.

 

[Rockslinger]

They kept copies of photo ID in order to identify troublemakers.

I think that the courts said this violated the patrons' Charter rights. Same if someone walks in wearing a burka.

 

[Rockslinger]

(cuz sometimes i used to get vexxxed when bouncers aks me for id, certainly i look old enough to drink he he)

Hey Lisa,
At my bar, we offer an alternative to the photo ID. All you have to do is consent to a cavity search. Our "professonally trained and experienced" searchers can tell whether you are of the age of majority by feeling your cavities .