Questions about my driver's license and turning 21 - having trouble finding this info elsewhere.
Asked by
Mariah (
25883
)
May 31st, 2013
I turned 21 this past April, but my driver’s license says “under 21” and doesn’t expire until 2016.
I can find little information about getting it replaced for this reason, should I just follow the instructions for if your license is lost or stolen?
Furthermore, is it actually necessary to do so? I know my license is still valid but I’ve heard rumors that bars and liquor stores can turn down an “under 21” license even though my birth date is clearly more than 21 years ago, and I don’t want to deal with that.
I’m in PA. Thanks!
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10 Answers
How very odd. Have you called your local DMV?
If your birthday is on a legit driver’s license, how can that not be proof of age?
My guess is it is still perfectly valid if it has not expired, it just makes it much easier for bouncers, bartenders and waitresses if you have the other ID.
But, why guess? Give DMV a call and ask. Here is the contact page for your state. Most likely you can get a new license over the phone or online for less than $25 if you want the new one. My husband once renewed his license on the phone using the keypad, took a two minutes. I have renewed online. Lost and stolen, age of majority, probably there is an easy way to do all those things.
Just have them check your birth year. Liquor stores and bars are used to dealing with this problem, and they don’t want to lose customers
I kept mine until it expired. It’s not a valid reason for replacement… so you would have to pay as though you lost yours or changed address, etc.
I would not worry about it. just point then to your birth date.
I don’t replace mine until I got married at 22. I never had an issue with it.
In NJ, you go to the DMV and pay a couple bucks for the over 21 license. My son just turned 22 a few weeks ago, so he went through it last year.
My CA license specifically said “Age 21 in _____”, but it expired a few years after that. When I got my license renewed, the new one didn’t have that line of text. I see no reason why stores would turn you down between the time you turn 21 and the time when you renew your drivers license.
If you can’t wait, you can probably do as @JLeslie suggested and just pay for a new one.
I don’t know how it is elsewhere but in NJ while it is still legal to have your older license many liquor stores will refuse to serve you alcohol until you get the newer one regardless of the date on said license.
So yea my license still had another 3 years before expiration but I had to go to the DMV to get a new one before I could buy any alcohol. Pretty annoying.
If you have a passport, it is a valid form of Identification. No need to replace the driver’s license.
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