The reason they don't allow expired licenses for alcohol purchases is because an older, similar-looking person (sibling, etc.) could just give their expired license to someone who's underage.
They could do the same with current licenses, either temporarily or permanently. When I was in my 20's I had a stack of old but unexpired drivers licenses because having your current address on your license makes makes some things easier.
That’s why a lot of places now scan the ID. Presumably the vast majority of times whoever lost/gave up/sold the ID got a new one from the local BMV and the old one will be flagged.
And the reason they insist on checking the ID of a 40 year old man with gray in his beard and photoaged skin is because... 1) A teenager might be a special effects makeup artist.. or 2) because the law compels them to be bureaucratic twats who follow the rules even when the rules make no sense.
The correct answer is number 2, and that's the real reason they won't accept expired IDs either.
Incidentally, the TSA does accept expired IDs. I flew with one and TSA didn't say anything to me; they scanned it into their computer then waved me through like normal. Then the bartender at the airport pointed it out and refused to serve me.
YMMV, re: TSA. My wife's license was due to expire a week after flying, and they gave her a bunch of shit about how lucky she was that she wasn't trying to leave the following week.
pavon|2 years ago
mattmaroon|2 years ago
mcpackieh|2 years ago
The correct answer is number 2, and that's the real reason they won't accept expired IDs either.
Incidentally, the TSA does accept expired IDs. I flew with one and TSA didn't say anything to me; they scanned it into their computer then waved me through like normal. Then the bartender at the airport pointed it out and refused to serve me.
jjulius|2 years ago