ID for 21 year old

[ajgardner]

I’m taking my daughter to Disney for her 21st birthday in May. While she’s not big into alcohol, she does want to get a few drinks around the world in Epcot and at Ogas, Her current license expires on her birthday and she was told by the state dmv it is best to wait until her birthday or later to renew it. Will Disney accept her ID card even if it’s expired by a day or two? Or will she need to carry her passport with her through the parks?

 

[Lilsia]

OK, so we just had this same situation with my daughter a few weeks ago. Her license expired on her birthday, we flew out 2 days later and her new one had not come in yet. Our State has the paper to show as a temporary license along with the expired license. Not one person, including TSA asked for that paper. In fact, only 1 person even noticed that it was expired and that was the TSA agent at MCO on the way back and all she said was "did you know that your license is expired?" My daughter said yes and the the new one was coming in the mail, and that was it. I don't think that anyone at Disney even looks at expiration dates, just your Date of birth to make sure that you are old enough. I would renew it before and maybe it will come in time, if not, at least you will have that paper to show that the license is renewed, just not mailed out yet. You can renew 10 days ahead of your 21st birthday here.

 

[ajgardner]

She can renew it now, but in our state under 21 licenses are printed in a vertical format and over 21 are printed horizontally. The dmv told her if she renews it ahead of time she will need to have it printed vertically- which is annoying for the next 5 years of being over 21 until the next renewal comes. . I was thinking it’s unlikely they’d look at the expiration date.

 

[CarolynFH]

She can renew it now, but in our state under 21 licenses are printed in a vertical format and over 21 are printed horizontally. The dmv told her if she renews it ahead of time she will need to have it printed vertically- which is annoying for the next 5 years of being over 21 until the next renewal comes. . I was thinking it’s unlikely they’d look at the expiration date.

I also think it’s unlikely they’ll look at expiration date. They’re not concerned with whether she can drive legally, which is where the expiration date comes in. They just want a legal photo ID to confirm her age so they know she can drink legally!

 

[Lilsia]

She can renew it now, but in our state under 21 licenses are printed in a vertical format and over 21 are printed horizontally. The dmv told her if she renews it ahead of time she will need to have it printed vertically- which is annoying for the next 5 years of being over 21 until the next renewal comes. . I was thinking it’s unlikely they’d look at the expiration date.

Yeah, in my State, they won't even let someone turning 21 renew until 10 days before that way it will come right around your birthday with the horizontal format. Our State does not print them at the DMV, they have a company out of State make them and mail them.I think it is a bunch of drama just to help bartenders not have to look at the actual date. It seems silly to me considering that they they always look at the date anyway so why bother having 2 different formats? This is one of those things that make no sense.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

The bartender at Regal Eagle (EPCOT) would not serve my friend's ~24-year-old niece with an expired license (for some reason her current, valid license was back in the room but she had the expired one ) but it was well more than a few days expired. She and my friend's 21-year-old son were also carded at all table service meals despite obviously being with parents. I think they have to be really careful with their liquor license. I'd probably carry the passport for her myself just to avoid any disappointment and keep it safe. Chances are it would be fine but given the momentous occasion, I wouldn't risk it. Hope you have a great trip. Happy birthday to her! What a fun place to turn 21!!

 

[sponica]

It gets tricky when alcohol purchases are involved. I've seen people turned down with temporary out of state licenses as bartenders in my state cannot accept them as proof of age.

I'd bring the passport as a backup.

 

[monorailmom]

As someone who has been through this with four kids, I strongly recommend bringing the passport. I wouldn't depend on anyone accepting an expired license, and the risk of disappointment isn't worth it.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Passport. Don't risk it

 

[missingdisneymore]

Technically, under the federal liquor control provisions, an expired license is not acceptable identification for any sale/purchase of alcohol.

In most states, the expiration date means just that, after that date, it isn’t legal ID any longer. Some states allow until the end of the expiration month.

Another vote for the passport.

 

[lpereira]

An expired ID isn't ID at all. The person serving you alcohol with an expired ID can be fined, lose their job, be prohibited from working any place that sells alcohol, and lose their driving privileges.
If you have a passport use it. Florida accepts: state issued IDs or DLs, passport books and cards, and military ID

 

[KellyKane]

This recently happened to me on an emergent trip to Fl from Ohio. TSA did not say anything at my home airport because TSA does accept expired license for up to one year after...however, I was denied a car rental, and I was also denied an alcohol purchase at my local grocery without the interim paperwork.

I agree with the others, dont risk it, take the passport. Have fun!!

 

[ajgardner]

Passport it is!

 

[GoingSince1990]

This is a good reason to add on the passport card option when applying for or renewing a passport. Even if you never plan on driving over the border to or from Canada or Mexico, it can be handy as a backup ID card, accepted by the TSA as well as for buying booze, and being the same size as a drivers license much more convenient to carry around than an actual passport.

 

[WDW Traveler]

She can renew it now, but in our state under 21 licenses are printed in a vertical format and over 21 are printed horizontally. The dmv told her if she renews it ahead of time she will need to have it printed vertically- which is annoying for the next 5 years of being over 21 until the next renewal comes. . I was thinking it’s unlikely they’d look at the expiration date.

FYI - our state is the same way (NH). This happened to my DD, her license expired on a Saturday, so she renewed her license a day early (and nope, they wouldn't switch the orientation), so it wouldn't expire and a few months later she went back to the DMV and got a new Horizontal license for $3/$6 I think. I can't remember what it cost her but it wasn't expensive.

 

[ajgardner]

FYI - our state is the same way (NH). This happened to my DD, her license expired on a Saturday, so she renewed her license a day early (and nope, they wouldn't switch the orientation), so it wouldn't expire and a few months later she went back to the DMV and got a new Horizontal license for $3/$6 I think. I can't remember what it cost her but it wasn't expensive.

Oh! Good to know - we are NH also so I will tell my daughter this.

 

[DisneyHardin]

This recently happened to me on an emergent trip to Fl from Ohio. TSA did not say anything at my home airport because TSA does accept expired license for up to one year after

It was TSA a couple years ago that pointed out my DH's license was expired. He had no idea.

 

[GAN]

Different situation but along the same lines. My 24yo daughter lost her license a week before our trip so she went to the DMV and was issued a standard paper temporary license(with picture). There were a few locations that refused to accept it, while others let it go without issue. At Cava she was turned away by the manager but when I got my drink (an unnamed source) said to try the stand outside the pavilion ...no issues, they didn't even ask(guess he had experience?). Also, at Trader Sams they wouldn't serve her. Unfortunately her passport had expired so that wouldn't have done any good even if we had it. I think every place has their own "general" guidelines when it comes to exceptions -so be prepared.

 

[CarolynFH]

This has been an extremely educational thread for me! Thanks to everyone for expanding my knowledge base!

 

[LYSE]

Cava is the most likely to say no...they turned my wife away with her Global entry card because it wasn't on their very specific list of approved documents (issued by us customs and boarder protection...has your passport number is used in place of etc..)