Temporary License Beer Purchase: What's The Verdict?

In California, a temporary license is not considered a bona fide (legally acceptable) form of identification for the purchase of alcohol. Bona fide identification must be issued by a U.S. government agency, contain a physical description and other personal information, and be currently valid. While an expired driver's license may be acceptable for purchasing alcohol at the discretion of the licensee, a temporary license is not considered valid for this purpose. A temporary permit, on the other hand, allows a person to sell alcoholic beverages while waiting for their permanent license, but does not enable them to purchase alcohol.

Temporary licenses are not accepted as ID in California

A temporary license is not considered a valid form of identification in California. This means that you cannot use a temporary license to purchase alcohol or for any other purpose that requires a bona fide (legally acceptable) ID. A bona fide ID is one card that contains the following six characteristics:

• Issued by a U.S. government agency (federal, state, county, or city)
• Physical description (height, weight, hair and eye color)
• Currently valid (not expired)

Examples of IDs that are not considered bona fide include:

• U.S. Government Immigrant identification card
• School or work identification card
• Identification issued by a non-government agency
• Social Security card
• Interim or temporary driver license or receipt for a license from the DMV
• Foreign driver license/identification card

It is important to note that the legal drinking age in California is 21, and sellers of alcoholic beverages are not required to sell or serve alcohol to anyone. While a person does not have a legal right to buy alcohol, sellers do have a legal right to refuse service to anyone who cannot produce adequate evidence of their age.

If you are waiting for a new California ID, it is recommended to ask a friend to purchase alcohol for you if you are over the age of 21.

Bona fide IDs are issued by a US government agency

In the United States, the most common government-issued IDs are state-issued driver's licenses or identity cards. These documents are widely accepted as proof of identity and age for various purposes, including purchasing alcohol. It's important to note that each state has its own DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) that issues driver's licenses, and the requirements and design may vary slightly between states.

Other examples of federal or national IDs include Social Security cards and passports. Social Security cards are issued by the Social Security Administration and are primarily used for compliance with Social Security payroll tax laws and accessing certain financial services. Passports and passport cards, on the other hand, are issued by the Department of State and are mainly used for international travel. While obtaining a passport is voluntary, it serves as a widely accepted form of identification.

It's worth mentioning that while a temporary driver's license or ID card from the DMV is not considered a bona fide ID, a valid out-of-state driver's license or ID card is accepted as bona fide. This means that if you are travelling or have recently moved to a new state, your existing license or ID from another state can be used to purchase alcohol until you obtain a new one.

Additionally, US military identification cards are also considered bona fide IDs. These are issued by the Department of Defense to active-duty service members, selected reserve service members, and employees of the Department of Defense.

Temporary licenses are only given to those waiting for a permanent license

The temporary license must be signed by at least one of the applicants, and the applicant must sign a statement under penalty of perjury declaring that all current obligations will be discharged and that any outstanding checks issued for alcoholic beverages will be honored. The temporary permit is valid for a period of up to four months and may be extended for an additional four months upon payment of an additional fee.

It is important to note that a temporary license does not change the legal requirements for purchasing alcohol. The legal drinking age in California is 21, and a person must provide a valid, government-issued photo ID to purchase alcohol. A temporary license or ID is typically not accepted as a valid form of identification for purchasing alcohol. However, some businesses or establishments may have their own policies and exceptions, especially if the person appears to be over a certain age. Ultimately, it is up to the licensee or seller to set policies and make the final decision regarding selling alcohol to individuals without a valid, permanent ID.

A temporary license is valid for a maximum of 4 months

A temporary license is a valid form of identification that allows individuals with temporary lawful status in a particular state or country to drive and make purchases, including alcohol, for a limited period. This is especially useful for those who are awaiting the arrival of their new or replacement license. In the United States, the validity period for a temporary license varies by state. For example, in New York, individuals can download a temporary license from the DMV's website, which is valid for up to 10 days. On the other hand, Florida offers a 90-day temporary driving permit for individuals who are out of the state when their license expires.

It is important to note that a temporary license is not always accepted as a valid form of identification for purchasing alcohol. In some states, such as California, a photo ID issued by the government is required. This can include a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Temporary licenses may not be considered bona fide identification, as they do not meet certain criteria, such as containing a photograph or being issued by a specific entity.

To ensure compliance with local regulations, it is advisable to check the specific requirements of the state or country in question. Additionally, it is worth noting that the validity period of a temporary license is typically limited, ranging from a few days to a few months, and may not exceed the maximum driver's license or identification card term set by the state. As such, individuals should be mindful of the expiration date of their temporary license and plan accordingly if they need to extend their driving privileges or identification capabilities.

In summary, while a temporary license can be a convenient solution for those awaiting a new or replacement license, it may not always be accepted as a valid form of identification for purchasing alcohol. The validity period of a temporary license is typically limited, and individuals should be aware of any restrictions or requirements specific to their state or country of residence.

Temporary license holders must pay for alcoholic beverages at the time of delivery

Temporary permits are issued to individuals who have applied for a person-to-person transfer of an alcoholic beverage license at the same premises. A temporary permit cannot be issued while waiting for an original (new) license or when transferring a license from one location to another.

The holder of a temporary permit is required to sign a statement under penalty of perjury, declaring that all current obligations will be met and that any outstanding checks issued for the purchase of alcoholic beverages will be honoured. This statement is included on the permit (Form ABC-280) and must be signed by at least one applicant. If no applicant is available to sign, a signature on Form ABC-282, Declaration re Temporary Permit, is also acceptable.

The purchase of beer, wine, and spirits by the holder of a temporary permit must be paid for in currency or by check at the time of delivery or beforehand. An exception to this rule is if the permit holder also holds one or more retail licenses and is operating under these licenses in addition to the temporary permit. In this case, they may purchase alcoholic beverages on credit under the temporary permit, provided they are not delinquent under the provisions of Section 25509.

All checks received by a seller for alcoholic beverages purchased by the holder of a temporary permit must be deposited within two business days of the delivery of the beverages. If a check is dishonoured upon presentation, it is not considered valid payment, and the seller will not face disciplinary action for receiving it in good faith.

Frequently asked questions