Everyone buying alcohol in Utah now must show ID
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If you thought your card-checking days were over — think again.
State of play: A new Utah law that took effect Jan. 1 requires everyone buying alcohol to show ID, no matter how old they look.
Why it matters: The change further cements Utah's reputation for having some of the strictest liquor laws in the country.
Catch up quick: Until now, employees at restaurants and grocery stores could use their discretion and skip ID checks for customers who appeared to be over 35, Michelle Schmitt, a spokesperson for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS), told Axios.
Between the lines: Lawmakers passed the measure as part of a broader effort to curb impaired driving. It also requires people convicted of an extreme DUI to obtain a new ID that temporarily blocks them from purchasing alcohol.
What counts as identification, per DABS:
- A state-issued ID card or driver's license
- A military ID with a photo and date of birth
- A passport
Yes, but: Driving privilege cards do not qualify under the new law.