Use of Digital ID with Alcohol Sales, England and Wales: What’s Changing?

With both houses having approved the statutory instrument (SI) to amend the Mandatory Licensing Conditions (MLC’s) last week, those amendments came into force today. This modernises licensing law and supports safer, faster age checks.

Updated 15/09/2026 09:00

Allowing individuals to use certified digital IDs for alcohol sales is a practical, modern change that will make life easier for consumers and safer for front-line staff. Whichever digital ID someone chooses, they now have a secure digital option that protects their privacy. With Luciditi Verification Services are already present in point of sale systems and assistive challenge 25 technologies, we’re helping all kinds of licensed premises reduce conflict, improve compliance, and deliver a smoother customer journey.

So what does this mean in practice:

At 12:01am the 15th September, the amendment came into force meaning that license holders now have the choice to accept digital ID as proof of age. It does not mean that venues are obliged to accept it and they must make provisions to accept physical ID in the normal way. It will take time for a critical mass of licensed premises to get hold of the technology so that it becomes ubiquitous but this is only day, after several years getting the technology ready and legislation enacted. Things will likely look very different by this time next year!

These changes apply to England and Wales only at this time. They do not apply to Scotland and Northern Ireland who are likely to follow suit in due course.

The other important requirement when verifying age is the mandated use of a certified Digital Verification Service (DVS) provider. DVSP’s must operate a currently certified Orchestration Service and a license holder must have an agreement in place with them prior to accepting digital ID. The role of the DVS Trust Framework and the forthcoming CertifID trustmark will be key to making it clear which service providers can offer which services (roles) on the consumer (holder) and verifier (reader) sides.

Consumer Choice

Consumers can present any certified digital ID to a verifier on the DVS verification network:

• Luciditi ID
• Yoti ID
• Post Office EasyID

All are recognised and interoperable. From next spring, the Luciditi Digital ID Verifier will also accept the UK Digital Drivers License (dDL) held in the Gov.uk wallet. Its the same experience because its based on the same international standards DVS providers and government have chosen to adopt.

Why Luciditi?

Luciditi is a UK certified Digital Verification Service Provider (DVSP), meeting all Trust Framework requirements. Our privacy preserving design shows only an age challenge result (true or false), never personal details.

Built Into Retail & Hospitality

Luciditi Verification Services are being integrated into:

• Fixed and Handheld POS systems
• Self-checkouts
• Hospitality ordering platforms *ie order at table)

Digital proof of age becomes seamless at the point of sale.

Benefits

• Faster, safer age checks
• No loss of sale when customer has no physical ID
• Reduced conflict with customers
• Less reliance on physical document inspection
• Stronger compliance
• Greater privacy for consumers
• Supports Generational Smoking ban from 1st Jan 2027 (without date or birth)

In Summary

This is a landmark moment for digital identity in the UK. Luciditi is ready on day one, certified, interoperable, and embedding verification across the retail, hospitality and events sectors is well underway.

Want to know more?

If you’re exploring how digital proof‑of‑age with DVS integration can support your compliance strategy, Contact us and we’d be delighted to help.

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