Digital Proof Of Age For Alcohol Sales Is Now Law: Here's What It Means For TOTUM ID

From today (15 September 2026), pubs, bars, restaurants, music venues and shops across England and Wales can choose to accept digital proof of age when selling alcohol, alongside the physical ID checks they already use.

What's Actually Changed

New rules under the Licensing Act 2003 mean licensed premises no longer have to rely solely on physical ID to check a customer is over 18. Instead, they can accept certified digital identification, such as a scannable code or a tap of a phone against a compatible reader, as a valid alternative.

For customers, that means a night out no longer depends on remembering to bring a passport or driving licence. A certified app can do the job instead, and because it only confirms an age threshold rather than sharing a full ID, it also cuts down on the amount of personal information handed over at the bar.

For businesses, it's a way to check age with more confidence than eyeballing a card alone. Certified services verify that an ID is genuine and belongs to the person presenting it, which helps catch fake or borrowed identification that might otherwise slip through, especially during a busy Friday night rush.

It's worth being clear on what hasn't changed: the legal drinking age is still 18, physical ID checks remain perfectly valid, and no business is required to adopt digital proof of age. It's an additional option, not a replacement.

Why This Matters For TOTUM

TOTUM is working towards being among the first providers in the market able to support digital proof of age for alcohol sales under the new framework, well ahead of the wider rollout the Government expects across the sector.

In practice, that means TOTUM members will be able to use their Digital ID at venues that choose to accept digital age verification, without needing to dig out a physical card. TOTUM also currently offer this service already!

What Happens Next

Adoption across pubs, bars and venues will happen gradually as businesses assess the technology and the register of certified providers grows. We'll keep this page updated with the practical milestones: which venues are accepting TOTUM ID , and when our own digital proof of age solution formally goes live.

If you're a TOTUM member, there's nothing you need to do right now beyond keeping your ID up to date in the app. If you're a venue or business exploring digital age verification, get in touch and we can talk through what adopting TOTUM ID looks like on your side.

Read the official Government announcement here.