On 15 September 2026, licensed premises in England and Wales became able to accept digital proof of age for alcohol sales. On the same day, the Home Office published an updated edition of the Revised Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. This is the statutory guidance that licensing authorities must have regard to when carrying out their functions.
The age verification section of Chapter 10 (paragraphs 10.45 to 10.60) has been updated to explain how digital forms of identification work under the mandatory age verification condition. If you are thinking about accepting digital ID, these are the rules that matter.
The Age Verification Condition Now Has Two Routes
Under paragraph 10.45, your age verification policy must require anyone who appears to be under 18 (or the higher age in your policy, such as 25 under Challenge 25) to prove their age before being served alcohol, either by:
- producing a physical document with a photograph, date of birth and either a holographic mark or an ultraviolet feature; or
- providing a digital form of identification that can be checked and meets the conditions in the guidance.
For physical documents, the Home Office still encourages premises to accept PASS-hologram cards as their preferred proof of age (paragraph 10.46).
Staff Cannot Simply Look at a Screen
This is the most important rule. Paragraph 10.47 says licence holders must not rely solely on visual inspection to decide whether a digital ID is genuine. The ID must be verified by a Digital Verification Service (DVS) that is certified against the UK DVS trust framework and listed on the statutory DVS register (section 32 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025) as providing an age verification service.
So a photo of a passport, a screenshot or an app that has not been certified does not count, however convincing it looks.
You Need an Agreement With Your DVS Provider
Many operators will miss this one. Under paragraph 10.52, there must be an agreement between the licence holder and the registered DVS. That agreement must state that any digital ID provided has been verified to at least a "medium level of confidence" under the DVS trust framework.
You do not need to understand the technical detail of confidence levels (paragraph 10.54). Your provider can confirm that it is registered at medium level or higher, and you can check this on the DVS register yourself.
If the check involves more than one provider in the chain (an "intermediary" DVS), the guidance recommends that your agreement makes clear that every intermediary must also be certified and registered (paragraph 10.55).
Practical tip: Keep a copy of your DVS agreement with your age verification policy and training records. If an officer asks how you accept digital ID, this is the document that shows you are compliant.
Age Estimation Technology Is Not Proof of Age
Some systems estimate a customer's age from a face scan. Paragraph 10.59 is clear: age estimation technology is not a digital proof of age and cannot be used to verify that a customer is old enough to buy alcohol under the mandatory conditions. Only registered DVS checks count.
It Is Still Your Choice
Under paragraphs 10.49 to 10.51:
- You do not have to accept digital ID and can continue to rely on physical ID only.
- Customers can continue to use physical documents such as passports and driving licences.
- The Government does not prescribe a particular technology. You decide whether and how to accept digital ID, provided you meet the mandatory conditions.
If you decide to accept it, you should satisfy yourself that your chosen DVS meets your business needs and helps you comply (paragraph 10.50).
Data Protection
In most cases, your staff only need confirmation that the customer meets the required age and is the person the proof of age belongs to (paragraph 10.56). You and your DVS must comply with data protection law and should only process the personal data needed for the age check. In practice, collect only what the age check needs.
Self-Service Tills, Online Sales and Deliveries
- Self-service checkouts: Customers who do not appear underage may still choose to offer digital proof of age, for example at a self-service till (paragraph 10.57). The same DVS rules apply (paragraph 10.58).
- Online, telephone and delivery sales: Alcohol is not treated as served until it is delivered. The person delivering must make sure age verification has taken place and that any physical or digital ID has been checked (paragraph 10.64).
What If Your Licence Conditions Say Something Different?
Paragraph 10.60 says that where an existing premises licence includes a condition that expressly prevents the use of digital ID, the licence holder may apply for a variation to update that condition.
Many licences, especially those with conditions agreed with the police, list the only acceptable forms of ID (for example, "passport, photocard driving licence or PASS card"). Check your licence carefully before you start accepting digital ID. If the wording is unclear, take advice before changing your procedures.
Your DPS Is Personally Responsible
The rules on staff awareness still apply, and they now cover digital ID too:
- The licence holder must make sure staff know about the age verification policy and what it says (paragraph 10.61).
- The DPS is personally responsible for making sure staff are applying the policy, not just aware of it (paragraph 10.62).
If you add digital ID, update your written policy, retrain your staff and keep records of that training.
Persistent Underage Sales: Reviews Remain the Norm
Paragraph 11.30 is also worth remembering. Licensing authorities may take a proportionate approach where a responsible operator has a one-off failure. Where persistent sales to children occur and due diligence is poor, however, a review is expected to be the norm and revocation may be considered. Digital ID does not reduce this risk unless it is properly set up and used.
Checklist: Before You Accept Digital ID
- Read your premises licence and check for conditions about acceptable ID.
- Choose a DVS provider and confirm it appears on the GOV.UK DVS register.
- Sign an agreement confirming checks are made to at least a medium level of confidence.
- Make sure your system does not rely on age estimation alone.
- Update your age verification (Challenge 25) policy.
- Train your staff and record the training.
- Check your delivery and self-service processes.
- Keep your refusals log up to date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my digital ID in pubs in the UK?
In England and Wales, yes, if the pub chooses to accept it. Since 15 September 2026, licensed premises can accept digital proof of age verified by a certified Digital Verification Service on the GOV.UK register. Venues are not required to accept it, so it is worth carrying physical ID as a backup. This change applies to England and Wales only.
What forms of ID are accepted for buying alcohol?
A physical document with a photograph, date of birth and either a holographic mark or an ultraviolet feature, such as a passport, photocard driving licence or PASS-hologram card. Premises may also accept certified digital proof of age if they choose to. A photo or screenshot of an ID on a phone is not acceptable, and neither is age estimation technology.
Does everyone have to show ID when buying alcohol?
No. The law requires premises to check the age of anyone who appears to be under 18, or under the higher age set in their own policy. Many premises operate Challenge 25, which means anyone who looks under 25 will be asked for ID. Staff can refuse a sale if a customer cannot prove their age.
Is digital ID mandatory for buying alcohol?
No. Businesses do not have to accept digital ID, and customers can continue to use physical ID such as passports and driving licences. Digital proof of age for alcohol sales is also separate from the Government's digital driving licence and GOV.UK Wallet.
Do pubs and supermarkets have to accept apps like Yoti or Post Office EasyID?
No. Each licence holder decides whether to accept digital ID and which certified provider to use. Apps mentioned in the Government's announcement include Yoti ID, Post Office EasyID and Luciditi ID. If you plan to rely on an app, check with the venue first.
Can digital ID be used for alcohol deliveries?
Yes, if the seller accepts it. For online, telephone and delivery sales, alcohol is not treated as served until it is handed over, so age verification must take place on delivery. The person delivering is responsible for checking the physical or digital ID.
Need Help?
Anka Advisory Group helps licence holders across England and Wales, in English and Turkish. We can review your licence conditions, prepare a variation if needed, update your age verification policy and train your staff, including through the APLH (Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders).
Call or WhatsApp us on +44 7378 501348, or contact us here.
Read more: Digital Age Verification Is Now Live: What Bar and Shop Owners Need to Know
Official source: Revised guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (September 2026), GOV.UK
By Elif Goksal, APLH, Founder & Managing Director, Anka Advisory Group. This article is general information and not legal advice.