Underage Drinking
G.S. 18B-302 — no buying, possessing or drinking alcohol under 21
In North Carolina, a person less than 21 years old may not buy, attempt to buy or possess beer, unfortified wine, fortified wine, liquor or mixed drinks, or consume any alcoholic beverage. No one may sell or give any of them to a person less than 21.
| Who | Class |
|---|---|
| WhoA 19 or 20 year old who buys or possesses beer or unfortified wine, or drinks | ClassClass 3 misdemeanor |
| WhoAn underage person who helps another violate the section | ClassClass 2 misdemeanor |
| WhoA person of age who helps another violate it | ClassClass 1 misdemeanor |
Using someone else's license or a false identification to get into a place that sells alcohol or to buy it is unlawful, and so is letting someone else use one's own license for that.
An underage person may handle alcohol in the course of lawful employment. A seller has a defense if the buyer showed a license, identification card, military identification or passport showing the required age and reasonably describing them.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.S. 18B-302 — Sale to or purchase by underage persons
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.