If it will make you feel better, go to Target.

I'm 50+, and they demand my driver's license and swipe it through a reader. In my town, Target's registers do not allow the cashier to ring up alcohol without first reading the magnetic strip on your drivers license. No strip on the back of your license = no sale. Maybe the place the OP went to has a similar system.

I'm sure the data is being stored somewhere and not just by the store, but that's a different thread.

 

yes....yes it is. However I have not tried to get into any bars with it...of course I do not carry when going into a bar...thats just plain stupid.

 

and illegal

 

That is interesting both my original and renewal were laminated just like the older style driver's license. These were issued by two different counties, Guilford and Iredell.

Still don't have a picture, and require carrying valid ID along with it though.