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The Vertical Identification Program, implemented in July 2003, helps prevent minors from buying alcohol or tobacco. The state has been phasing out youth horizontal licenses for five years. Now all under 21 Michigan residents who apply for a driver's license or identification card, are issued one in a vertical format. The cards clearly list the dates when the holder turns both 18 and 21.

"It's a good thing," said Lake Nepessing Road Party Store owner Brian Woycik. "You still have to watch anyway, but as soon as you see it, you know to look for the date to buy cigarettes or alcohol. It's right there."

"The licenses look different, and that's good," said Tammy Bartsoff of Fick's Market in Columbiaville. "But we also had a thing installed where you slide the license through, and it lets you know if they're legal or not."

The redesigned format has a more tamper proof design to deter attempted alterations or forgeries. It includes other security features such as the date of birth overlapping a "ghost" image of the license holder to prevent altering the date.

But that doesn't stop some minors from making an attempt.

"We've been here for 28 years, and I don't think they'll ever stop trying," said E.J. Bahri, one of the owners of Pine Knob Wine Shop in Metamora. "I've seen a few make a license out of paper, and then show us that in a holder. We tell them to take it out."

Some minors have handed Bahri and his staff questionable non Michigan licenses.

"We have a book with out of state licenses," Bahri said. "I pull out the book and match it. That's one of the checks."

Some minors hand over a friend's license that has similar looks. Among many double checks, Bahri asks for their middle name.

"We ask what year they were born in, and a lot of them stumble on that," said Sue Ammari, one of the owners of Countryside Stop in Oregon Township. "We've had a few who come in here all friendly, usually at night, and head right for the beer cooler. They just put the beer on the counter, like they're used to doing it. They're hoping you won't ask for proof, but we always do. I had one guy hand me his license and ask, 'So, what do you think?' I told him, 'I don't think you're old enough.'"

Though youth may always try to buy, the Vertical Identification Program is credited with stopping many of those would be purchasers. As the new vertical formats spread through the population, there's been a steady decline in convictions under the state's' zero tolerance law, which prohibits underage drivers from having any alcohol in their systems. In 2004, there were 1,693 convictions, in 2005 there were 1,639, in 2006 there were 1,439 and last year there were 1,344.

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com