Yes. Indiana businesses can scan IDs to verify age. Stores must check a photo ID before carryout alcohol or tobacco sales to anyone who is or looks under 40, and a scan is a fast way to do it.
Indiana makes stores card anyone who is or looks under 40. Under IC 7.1-5-10-23, skipping that check before a carryout alcohol or tobacco sale is a violation even when the buyer is of age, and a scan proves the check happened. And repeat sales to minors have ended in a denied permit renewal.
Indiana ID laws at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can you scan IDs in Indiana? | Yes. Bars, stores and tobacco shops can scan IDs to verify age |
| Does a scan protect you? | A scan is your proof that staff checked ID, as the under-40 rule requires |
| What can you keep from a scan? | State law sets no specific limit |
| Legal drinking age | 21 for alcohol and tobacco |
| Who must you card? | Carryout buyers who are or look under 40. On site, Excise Police suggest under 26 |
| Fine for selling to a minor | Class B misdemeanor, plus ATC fines, suspension or a denied renewal |
Can you scan IDs in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana businesses can scan IDs to confirm age. Under IC 7.1-5-10-23, stores must check a photo ID before a carryout alcohol or tobacco sale to anyone who is or looks under 40. For drinks served on site, the Excise Police encourage carding anyone who looks under 26. That applies to bars, stores and tobacco shops alike, where the minimum age is 21 and anyone who is or looks under 40 gets carded at carryout.
How the under-40 rule works
Since July 1, 2026, the rule covers alcohol and tobacco. Before a carryout sale to anyone who is or looks under 40, you must see one of these:
- A driver’s license
- An Indiana ID card, or a similar state or federal card
- Another government-issued document
The ID must show the buyer’s photo and birth date and that they’re at least 21. Skipping the check is a Class C infraction for the permittee, employee or agent. For the exact wording, see IC 7.1-5-10-23 in SEA 185.
Which IDs are accepted in Indiana?
You can accept a driver’s license, an Indiana ID card or a similar card from another state, a U.S. government ID, or another government document, as long as it shows the buyer’s photo, birth date and that they’re 21 or older.
Fines for selling to minors in Indiana
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Selling alcohol to a minor | Class B misdemeanor (IC 7.1-5-7-8) |
| Carryout sale without an ID check | Class C infraction |
| Repeat sales to minors (permit) | One case: $1,250, $1,500, then $2,000 and a suspension |
| Tobacco sale under 21 (store) | Up to $400, $800, $1,400 or $2,000 |
| Minor using a fake ID | Infraction, for alcohol and now tobacco |
Excise Police run tobacco compliance checks with youth aged 16 to 20 and publish monthly alcohol violations, including failure to check ID. For the full penalty rules, see the Excise Police alcohol rules and laws and the enrolled text of SEA 185 (2026).
What Indiana IDs look like
- Indiana began issuing a new design with new security features in 2019
- Under-21 cards are vertical and show the dates the holder turns 18 and 21
- A star in the upper right corner marks a REAL ID
See current card designs in the BMV driver’s manual, chapter 1.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
Why Indiana Cards Anyone Who Looks Under 40
Indiana requires sellers to check the photo ID of anyone who is or reasonably appears to be under 40 before a carryout sale of alcohol, and of tobacco since July 1, 2026. Skipping that check is a Class C infraction, even if the buyer turns out to be of age. In one case, a permittee paid rising fines and a one-day suspension for furnishing alcohol to minors, and its local board then denied its permit renewal.
How Patronscan Helps Indiana Businesses Stay Compliant
Patronscan is purpose-built for the compliance environment Indiana businesses work in. Indiana’s carryout rule means a photo ID check for anyone who is or looks under 40 before an alcohol or tobacco sale. With 20 years of experience working alongside operators across North America, Europe, and Australia, Patronscan has the track record to help Indiana bars, liquor stores and tobacco shops check every ID with confidence.
Book a DemoVery Fast ID Scanning at Busy Doors
Patronscan’s hardware and software are built to handle high-volume environments, from busy Friday nights at a bar to weekend rushes at a liquor store, without slowing down your operation or compromising accuracy. Indiana’s carryout rule covers anyone who looks under 40, so your registers will check a lot of IDs.
Unlimited Scans, No Per-Scan Fees
No pay-per-scan model means no bill shock on a busy Friday night when hundreds of guests come through the door. Scan as many IDs as you need, every time. Scanning every carryout buyer who looks under 40 never adds to your bill.
The Flag Network
Patronscan originated the flag network and has spent years expanding it across North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, and Australia. When a flagged individual walks into any Patronscan-connected venue, staff are immediately alerted, giving businesses a layer of protection that goes far beyond age verification alone. It adds a layer of protection at Indiana bars, where the Excise Police encourage carding anyone who looks under 26.
An Auditable Record of Every Scan
Every scan Patronscan performs creates a verifiable log of your due-diligence checks. If a licensing authority ever questions a sale, that record is your evidence. That matters in Indiana, where repeated sales to minors have cost a business its permit renewal.
An ID Scanner for Indiana's Under-40 Rule
Under IC 7.1-5-10-23, a carryout sale of alcohol or tobacco to anyone who looks under 40 needs a photo ID check first, or it is a Class C infraction. Patronscan is an ID scanner for bars, liquor stores, grocery and convenience stores, and tobacco shops in Indiana that want every check done the same way. Request a demo to see how Patronscan fits your operation, or get a quote today.
Indiana ID scanning FAQ
Do I need an ID scanner in Indiana?
If you sell carryout alcohol or tobacco, a scanner is the simplest way to meet and prove Indiana’s under-40 ID check. Skipping the check is a Class C infraction even when the buyer is of age, and Excise Police publish violations every month.
What is the best ID scanner for Indiana bars?
Look for one that reads vertical under-21 cards, catches fakes beyond the barcode and logs every check. Patronscan’s forensic ID scanner does this with no per-scan fees, keeps a scan log and alerts staff to flagged patrons.
What happens if I sell alcohol to a minor in Indiana?
Selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor is a Class B misdemeanor. The permit holder also faces ATC fines and suspensions. In one case, fines of $1,250, $1,500 and $2,000 were followed by a denied permit renewal.
What IDs can I accept in Indiana?
Accept a government-issued photo ID that shows the buyer’s birth date and that they’re at least 21. That includes a driver’s license, an Indiana ID card or a similar card from another state, and U.S. government IDs.
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