Spring Break
Temp IDs prove a temporary pain
Laura Hedges
Issue date: 9/23/08 Section: News
"Never, nada, zero, zilch" is where the Durham Marketplace stands when it comes to buying alcohol with New Hampshire's new temporary IDs.
Starting in late May, temporary IDs were issued to verify the address that one puts on their license. After 60 days, the new ID is sent to the individual's home address confirming a New Hampshire residence. Though New Hampshire is not the first state to use this method of issuing IDs, the Granite State has created quite the confusion when it comes buying alcohol with a piece of black and white paper.
UNH student Brian Young recently turned 21 and has been frustrated during the 60-day lag for his new ID. He explained that whenever he goes out to bars he has to present an expired license to prove his age and that the temporaries serve little purpose.
"It's not that big of a deal but it is when you first turn 21 and can't buy," said Young.
Steve Leschane is owner of Beer and Wine Scorpios Provision in Durham and said he thought the temporary IDs were fakes the first time that he saw them. Leschane explained that the state made no effort to inform businesses with liquor licenses of the change.
"It's scary because I could loose my license or get fined if I sell to the wrong people," said Leschane.
Business owners were not the only ones left out of the loop. New Hampshire law enforcers also were not informed. Deputy Chief Officer Scott Dunn who works in Concord law enforcement explained that the DMV made no effort to inform anyone in enforcement until the ID had been issued.
Dunn said that the new IDs can be torn and the ink is easily smeared. However, alcohol sales can't be made on expired IDs. Dunn explained that there was an initial outcry but with more training programs and education officers have learned how to deal with the IDs.
Vimal Patal works at Campus Convenience, or CampCo, and explained the store has to turn away people without backups to the temporary New Hampshire IDs. CampCo is under new ownership and Patal said in the few days they have had a liquor license there has been trouble.
Starting in late May, temporary IDs were issued to verify the address that one puts on their license. After 60 days, the new ID is sent to the individual's home address confirming a New Hampshire residence. Though New Hampshire is not the first state to use this method of issuing IDs, the Granite State has created quite the confusion when it comes buying alcohol with a piece of black and white paper.
UNH student Brian Young recently turned 21 and has been frustrated during the 60-day lag for his new ID. He explained that whenever he goes out to bars he has to present an expired license to prove his age and that the temporaries serve little purpose.
"It's not that big of a deal but it is when you first turn 21 and can't buy," said Young.
Steve Leschane is owner of Beer and Wine Scorpios Provision in Durham and said he thought the temporary IDs were fakes the first time that he saw them. Leschane explained that the state made no effort to inform businesses with liquor licenses of the change.
"It's scary because I could loose my license or get fined if I sell to the wrong people," said Leschane.
Business owners were not the only ones left out of the loop. New Hampshire law enforcers also were not informed. Deputy Chief Officer Scott Dunn who works in Concord law enforcement explained that the DMV made no effort to inform anyone in enforcement until the ID had been issued.
Dunn said that the new IDs can be torn and the ink is easily smeared. However, alcohol sales can't be made on expired IDs. Dunn explained that there was an initial outcry but with more training programs and education officers have learned how to deal with the IDs.
Vimal Patal works at Campus Convenience, or CampCo, and explained the store has to turn away people without backups to the temporary New Hampshire IDs. CampCo is under new ownership and Patal said in the few days they have had a liquor license there has been trouble.
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