IDENTITY CARDS

Governor Cuomo announced a new state effort to educate bar owners, security, and staff of licensed establishments about new security features included on driver licenses, permits, and ID cards issued by the state. A new electronic brochure will be distributed to thousands of bar owners across the state that provides a description of the advanced security features in these forms of identification to make it easier for owners and staff at establishments with liquor licenses to authenticate them and identify fake IDs.

“The new security features embedded in New York’s redesigned driver’s licenses and identification cards are second to none and we’re looking to help responsible bar owners and their employee’s spot fakes and forgeries,” Governor Cuomo said.” “As a new college semester is about to begin, we must work together to keep underage New Yorkers out of the bars and out of harm’s way.”

In addition to assisting regulatory agencies and law enforcement, DMV’s enhanced licenses will make it easy for conscientious bouncers, servers and clerks to quickly spot licenses that have been altered or forged. Awareness of these new security features will increase compliance and assist in the continuing efforts to prevent young New Yorkers from buying and abusing alcohol

Those under 21 are given a vertical ID card to make it easier for bar owners and those who check ID to identify who is underage.

Revamped, state-issued ID cards include the following features:

Vertical card: Anyone under 21 years old is issued a vertical card.
Under ultra-violet light: Highly detailed ultra-violet graphics cover the front surface of the card, including a map of New York State, starbursts in the left corner, and fine line graphics in the clear window.
Polycarbonate material: The cards have a unique metallic sound when dropped on a hard surface.
Laser-engraved photo: The photo is burned into the card on a background of fine line graphics.
Tactile laser engraving: You can feel the raised lettering on the ID number, birth and expiration dates, and signature.
Anti-copy ink colors and rainbow printing: The card is manufactured using fine line color graphics that are difficult to reproduce on a color copier or photo printer.
Secondary photo in clear window: The secondary photo is burned into the car with laser engraving. The clear window has clean, beveled edges.
Variable wave pattern: The “wave” features the license holder’s name as a continuous string of variable sized text, which transitions through the clear secondary photo window.
Back of the card: The signature and address change boxes on the back of the card have a matte finish that is flush with the surface.

Licensees charged with underage alcohol sales face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, with fines starting at $2,500 for a first-time offense. Repeat offenders also face possible suspension or revocation of their licenses. In addition, employees or licensees who sell to minors can be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor.

Sales-to-minor violations are extremely serious. If you are charged with such a violation, immediately seek professional legal counsel.