As of now, UberEats does not have a system in place to check ID for alcohol delivery in California. This means that when placing an order for drinks through the app, customers are not required to scan their ID or provide any proof of age. However, it is important to note that UberEats is not legally allowed to deliver alcohol in California, so the absence of an ID check is likely due to the prohibition of alcohol delivery rather than a deliberate choice by the company.
In California, the sale and delivery of alcoholic beverages are tightly regulated by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Only licensed businesses, such as restaurants and bars, are permitted to sell and deliver alcohol. However, the ABC has temporarily relaxed some restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow businesses to offer alcohol for takeout and delivery.
While UberEats does allow restaurants to list cocktails and mixed drinks on their delivery menus, it is ultimately the responsibility of the restaurant to ensure that they are operating within the legal guidelines. This means that restaurants should be verifying the age of customers who order alcoholic beverages and ensuring that they are not delivering to individuals who are under the legal drinking age.
It is worth mentioning that there have been instances where delivery drivers have requested ID verification for alcohol orders, even though it is not a requirement. This may be because the driver is personally aware of the legal requirements and wants to ensure compliance. However, this is not a standardized practice across all UberEats deliveries and should not be relied upon as a consistent method of ID checking.
In other states where alcohol delivery is legally allowed, UberEats and other delivery services typically have systems in place to verify the age of customers. This may involve scanning a valid ID, such as a driver's license or passport, upon delivery. Some states also require the delivery driver to be at least 21 years old and to complete alcohol training programs.
UberEats currently does not have a formal ID checking process for alcohol delivery in California, as it is not legally allowed to deliver alcohol in the state. However, it is the responsibility of the restaurants to ensure compliance with the law, including verifying the age of customers who order alcoholic beverages.