Washington, D.C. Minor in Possession Laws

Online Alcohol Class offers the most comprehensive MIP classes available in Washington, D.C.. We offer Level 1 (8 hour), Level 2 (16 hour), and Level 3 (24 hour) web-based Minor in Possession and Minor in Consumption Courses.

Often students and parents call our offices to ask about the MIP laws in Washington, D.C.. As a courtesy, we've compiled the laws from every state and listed them below.

Please note that the Washington, D.C. minor in possession laws displayed below are meant to help help you to understand your local Washington, D.C. laws. While we have tried to show the most up-to-date version of Washington, D.C. MIP laws, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy. This information is not a replacement for legal advice from an attorney. It is in your best interest that you find a qualified lawyer for more information about Washington, D.C. MIP laws.

Washington, D.C. Minor In Possession Laws

Washington,D.C. Underage Possession of Alcohol

Possession is prohibited with NO EXCEPTIONS.

Washington,D.C. Underage Consumption of Alcohol

Consumption is prohibited with NO EXCEPTIONS.

Washington,D.C. Internal Possession by Minors

Internal possession is not explicitly prohibited.

Washington,D.C. Underage Purchase of Alcohol

Purchase is prohibited and there is NO ALLOWANCE for youth purchase for law enforcement purposes.

Furnishing Alcohol to Minors in Washington,D.C.

Furnishing is prohibited with NO EXCEPTIONS.

Minimum Ages for On-Premises Servers and Bartenders in Washington,D.C.

Beer: 18 for servers and 21 for bartenders

Wine: 18 for servers and 21 for bartenders

Spirits: 18 for servers and 21 for bartenders

Underage Drinking: Minimum Ages for Off-Premises Sellers in Washington,D.C.

Beer: 18

Wine: 18

Spirits: 18

False Identification for Obtaining Alcohol in Washington,D.C.

Provision(s) targeting minors:

• Use of a false ID to obtain alcohol is a criminal offense
• Penalty may include driver's license suspension through a judicial procedure

Provision(s) targeting retailers:

• Specific affirmative defense - the retailer inspected the false ID and came to a reasonable conclusion based on its appearance that it was valid

Notes: Section designations in the District of Columbia Code were renumbered in connection with the publication of the D.C. Official Code, 2001 Edition.

The District of Columbia defines a "valid identification document" as “an official identification issued by an agency of government (local, state, federal, or foreign) containing, at a minimum, the name, date of birth, signature, and photograph of the bearer." See D.C. Code Ann. § 25-101(53). D.C. Code Ann. § 25-783(b) requires licensed establishments to “take steps reasonably necessary to ascertain” whether any person to whom an alcoholic beverages is served is of legal drinking age, and further provides that “[a] person who supplies a valid identification document showing his or her age to be the legal drinking age shall be deemed to be of legal drinking age.” APIS has interpreted the “reasonable steps” requirement as providing the retailer a defense for reasonable reliance on an apparently valid ID.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits in Underage Operators of Noncommercial Motor Vehicles in Washington,D.C.

BAC limit: 0.00 - any detectable alcohol in the blood is per se (conclusive) evidence of a violation.

Applies to drivers under age 21.

Notes: Section designations in the District of Columbia Code were renumbered in connection with the publication of the D.C. Official Code, 2001 Edition.

Retail Sales and Keg Registration in Washington,D.C.

Keg definition: 4 gallons or more

Purchaser information collected:

• Purchaser's name and address
• Verified by a government-issued ID
• Address where keg will be consumed

Warning information to purchaser: active – purchaser action required (e.g.,signature)

Deposit: not required

Provisions specifically address disposable kegs

Washington,D.C. Underage Driving Privileges: Use/Lose

Type(s) of violation leading to driver's license suspension, revocation, or denial:

• Underage purchase
• Underage possession
• Underage consumption

Use/lose penalties apply to minors under age 21

Authority to impose driver's license sanction

• Mandatory

Length of suspension/revocation: 90 days

Notes: Section designations in the District of Columbia Code were renumbered in connection with the publication of the D.C. Official Code, 2001 Edition.

Prohibitions Against Hosting Underage Drinking Parties in Washington,D.C.

No State-imposed liability for hosting underage drinking parties.

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