Updated November 8, 2026. This article covers ABC’s November 2022 holiday-season announcement. Requirements and sources were reviewed as of this update, and holiday programs in later years may differ. It is general information, not legal advice.
ABC’s holiday message for 2022
As the 2022 holiday season began, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced that its agents would use education and prevention programs, along with enforcement operations, to help make the season as safe as possible. ABC said that work would happen in collaboration with local law enforcement, licensed establishments, and community stakeholders.
Then-Director Eric Hirata framed the effort around prevention: “Too many Californians are injured or killed in alcohol-related tragedies. We’re hoping that through education, prevention, and enforcement efforts these tragic incidents can be avoided.”
He also emphasized the role of licensed businesses: “By continuing to work with the alcoholic beverage industry, we strengthen compliance throughout the state. ABC licensed establishments play a significant role in the effort to improve overall safety by properly checking IDs, avoiding service to obviously intoxicated patrons, and reminding everyone of alternative transportation options to get home safely.”
This article looks at the programs ABC highlighted, what they mean for businesses during the busiest weeks of the year, and how venues can plan for a safe season.
The programs ABC emphasized
IMPACT inspections
ABC said it would use Informed Merchants Preventing Alcohol-Related Crime Tendencies (IMPACT) inspections to increase compliance and enhance safety. According to the announcement, IMPACT inspections give licensees the opportunity to achieve compliance and proactively prevent youth access to alcohol.
ABC’s business inspections page explains how IMPACT works. An ABC agent and a local law enforcement officer visit licensed outlets, remind licensees of their responsibilities, and inspect for compliance with state and local laws. ABC says officers may look for issues such as loitering, litter, graffiti, posted signs, and lack of food service in restaurants. A checklist of any violations is given to the licensee, and officers conduct follow-up visits about 20 days later. While the focus is education, ABC says officers will take action on major violations.
Minor Decoy operations
ABC described Minor Decoy operations as involving minors, under the direct supervision of agents, who attempt to purchase alcohol from retail businesses. These operations test whether clerks and servers check identification and refuse sales to people under 21.
Shoulder Tap operations
ABC said Shoulder Tap operations address adults who buy alcohol for people younger than 21. A decoy approaches adults outside a store and asks them to make a purchase, and officers act when an adult agrees.
ABC’s underage drinking enforcement page describes both programs and shows how violation rates changed over several years. ABC’s announcement said the holiday efforts were funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Our article on ABC’s 2022 grant describes that funding.
Why the holidays need extra attention
The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s bring office parties, family gatherings, reunions, sporting events, and celebrations of every kind. Bars and restaurants are busier, stores sell more alcohol, and many people drink more than usual. Students are home from college, and younger guests may try to blend in with older groups.
Those conditions put pressure on staff. Lines are longer, tables turn faster, and seasonal workers may be new to the job. The temptation to skip a check or keep pouring for a celebrating group can be strong. Planning ahead helps teams resist that pressure.
The three responsibilities ABC named
Director Hirata’s statement listed three things licensees can do. Each one is grounded in California law and good practice.
Properly checking IDs
Business and Professions Code section 25658 prohibits furnishing alcohol to anyone under 21. Under section 25660, a licensee who reasonably inspects bona fide government identification has a defense. Proper checks mean reading the birth date, comparing the photo, and looking for signs of tampering. For techniques, see Checking IDs in California: Common Mistakes and How the FLAG Method Prevents Them.
Digital IDs have added a new wrinkle since 2022. Our guide to Mobile IDs and TruAge in California explains what the DMV says about mobile driver’s licenses at retail counters.
Avoiding service to obviously intoxicated patrons
Section 25602 prohibits selling or furnishing alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person. At holiday parties, guests may arrive having already been drinking, so staff should assess each guest rather than assume.
Reminding guests of alternative transportation
Helping guests get home safely is one of the most valuable things a venue can do. Keep rideshare and taxi information handy, support designated drivers with good nonalcoholic options, and check in with guests who have been drinking as they leave.
A holiday season plan for venues
Before the season
- Confirm every server and manager has a valid Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) certification or is inside their 60-day window. ABC’s RBS program page explains the requirement.
- Schedule RBS training for seasonal hires right away. Our guide to California’s 60-Day RBS Rule for New Hires covers the timeline.
- Review the house ID policy, refusal procedures, and incident log with all staff.
- Plan nonalcoholic menu options for designated drivers.
For private parties and events
- Agree with the host in advance on service hours, food, and how intoxicated guests will be handled.
- Avoid open-ended arrangements that encourage heavy drinking, and keep food available throughout.
- Assign a staff member to watch for underage guests at mixed-age gatherings.
- Plan for transportation at the end of the event.
During service
- Check IDs consistently, especially during rushes.
- Pace service and count drinks for guests who are drinking quickly.
- Share refusals with the whole team so no one keeps serving.
- Offer water, food, and rides.
ABC’s model house policies include sample language for many of these steps.
Retailers have a role too
Liquor stores, markets, and convenience stores see some of their busiest days around the holidays. Clerks should be ready for Minor Decoy operations and alert to Shoulder Tap situations outside the store, such as adults buying for young people waiting nearby. ABC’s free, voluntary LEAD training is designed mainly for off-sale businesses and covers ID checks and preventing sales to minors and intoxicated customers.
Delivery is part of the picture as well. A delivery driver who hands alcohol to someone under 21 at the door has made a sale to a minor. Drivers should verify ID and refuse delivery to anyone who is underage or obviously intoxicated.
Making IMPACT visits productive
An IMPACT inspection during the holidays can feel like one more demand on a busy week. But ABC designed the program to help licensees correct problems before they become violations. A few steps make visits go smoothly:
- Keep the license and required signs posted and current.
- Make sure managers on duty know where records are kept.
- Address common issues, such as loitering or litter outside, before they are noted.
- Ask questions. Officers can explain requirements and point to resources.
If the team receives a checklist of issues, fix them promptly. ABC says follow-up visits occur about 20 days later.
Common holiday scenarios and how to handle them
The office party that started early
A group arrives after an afternoon event and several guests are already showing signs of intoxication. Staff should assess each person individually. Offer food and nonalcoholic drinks, slow service, and involve a manager if anyone needs to be refused. Speaking privately and calmly makes refusals easier to accept.
The family table with college students
A parent orders a round of drinks for a table that includes young adults home for break. Servers should check identification for anyone who appears under the house age threshold and who will be drinking, and watch where drinks go once they reach the table. A friendly, matter-of-fact approach usually avoids awkwardness.
The adult outside the store
A clerk notices a customer buying a large amount of alcohol while young people wait in a car outside. If a clerk reasonably believes the alcohol is for minors, the sale can be refused. Clerks should feel supported by management in making that call.
The guest who insists on driving
At closing, a guest who has been drinking heavily heads for the parking lot with car keys. Staff should offer to call a ride and involve a manager. If the guest still insists on driving while clearly impaired, contacting law enforcement may be the safest option.
New Year’s Eve deserves its own plan
The holiday season ends with one of the busiest nights of the year. New Year’s Eve combines large crowds, special events, and a late-night countdown that encourages celebration. Venues should treat it as a separate planning exercise: confirm staffing and security, set clear service rules for the countdown, plan food service, and arrange transportation options well in advance. Because California’s last call remains 2 a.m., closing routines should begin well before that time. Our article on late-night service in California explains where the law stands.
Supporting staff through the busy season
Holiday shifts are long and demanding. Staff who are exhausted are more likely to make mistakes, including missed ID checks. Managers can help by scheduling breaks, pairing new and experienced employees, and backing staff who make difficult refusals. Our guide to Handling Intoxicated Guests Without Burning Out covers practical ways teams can support each other.
After the holidays
Once the season ends, take a few minutes to review how it went. Look at the incident log, note any refusals or problems, and ask staff what worked and what did not. Those lessons are easy to forget by the next busy season, so writing them down helps the team start stronger next year.
Frequently asked questions
What programs did ABC highlight for the 2022 holidays?
IMPACT inspections, Minor Decoy operations, and Shoulder Tap operations, alongside education and prevention efforts.
Who funded ABC’s holiday efforts?
ABC said they were funded by an OTS grant through NHTSA.
What happens after an IMPACT inspection?
According to ABC, licensees receive a checklist of any violations, and officers return about 20 days later to check that problems were corrected.
The bottom line
ABC’s 2022 holiday message combined education with enforcement and placed licensed businesses at the center of the effort: check IDs properly, avoid serving obviously intoxicated guests, and help everyone get home safely. Those three habits, backed by trained staff and good planning, are the foundation of a safe holiday season every year.
Get your holiday staff certified early
Seasonal hires need RBS certification within 60 days. ServeTrain’s RBS course helps California servers and managers prepare for ABC’s exam. Before enrolling, register or log in to your RBS Portal account with ABC and confirm your chosen course appears in the portal’s training provider search.
Sources
- California ABC, ABC Emphasizes Education and Prevention Efforts for the Holiday Season (Nov. 2022)
- California ABC, Business Inspections (IMPACT)
- California ABC, Underage Drinking Enforcement
- California Legislature, Business and Professions Code §25658
- California Legislature, Business and Professions Code §25660
- California Legislature, Business and Professions Code §25602
- California ABC, Responsible Beverage Service Training Program
- California ABC, Model House Policies
- California ABC, LEAD Training
This article is general information, not legal advice.
