Courtesy D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles.
Good news, everyone: Your D.C. driver’s license is, in fact, a valid form of ID for purchasing booze in New Hampshire.
Local journalist Travis Mitchell sounded the alarm after he visited New Hampshire and found he could not buy booze at a liquor store with his D.C. license, as it wasn’t from one of the 50 states or a Canadian province. That’s because New Hampshire law states that “businesses that sell alcohol can accept four types of legal proof of age: a passport, a military card, or a driver’s license or photo identification from any of the 50 states, as well as provinces of Canada.”
After an inquiry by New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission issued a statement to clarify the language of the law, writing that businesses can legally sell booze to people with a valid D.C. license. “Although the language of RSA 179:8 does not specifically reference Washington D.C., it is understood that the District of Columbia is the capitol [sic] of the United States,” the statement says. “Therefore, the Division of Enforcement and Licensing’s position is that Washington D.C.’s driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards are acceptable for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.”
There you have it. Go buy booze in New Hampshire, D.C. residents. It’s your right.