California Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Alcohol Practice Exam

When is an interim or temporary state issued driver license valid proof of a patron's age?

1. Always

2. Sometimes

3. Only during specific hours

4. Never

The correct answer is: Never

An interim or temporary state-issued driver license is typically not considered valid proof of a patron's age because it does not have the same level of verification as a permanent license. Such temporary licenses are often issued to individuals while they await the processing of their permanent license, meaning that the issuing authority has not yet completed the verification process that confirms the patron's identity and age. Temporary licenses may lack certain security features found on standard licenses, making them more susceptible to misuse or fraud. Since the primary role of ID verification in the alcohol service context is to confirm the customer's age and ensure responsible service, relying on an interim document that may not carry the same trustworthiness poses a legal and safety risk. In California, establishments that serve alcohol are required to ensure they verify a patron's age with acceptable forms of identification. Recognized forms of ID typically include a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID like a permanent driver license or passport. Therefore, the answer confirming that such interim licenses are never valid proof of age reflects the importance of stringent identification regulations in alcohol service.