Amsterdam Coffeeshop Directory Forums

IMO its just too risky walking around with my passport, id much rather lose a drivers license. at least id still be able to get home and deal with it there and not be stuck with no money. if i have to leave a c/s bec i dont have my passport on me well then fine there are plenty places that dont mind at all...peace

bear in mind that aside from coffeeshop rules, if a police officer asks for id you have to be able to show something when in the nederlands.

right, a New York State issued drivers license for example

NirvanaEJ wrote:right, a New York State issued drivers license for example

That won't satisfy the police in Amsterdam. I've looked this up. According to Dutch law, for American citizens the only ID they will accept is a passport.

geoffk wrote:

NirvanaEJ wrote:right, a New York State issued drivers license for example

That won't satisfy the police in Amsterdam. I've looked this up. According to Dutch law, for American citizens the only ID they will accept is a passport.

and do you know what happens if its not on you but in the hotel room?

Nope, but you might find some answers here or the I am Amsterdam website.

NirvanaEJ wrote:

geoffk wrote:

NirvanaEJ wrote:right, a New York State issued drivers license for example

That won't satisfy the police in Amsterdam. I've looked this up. According to Dutch law, for American citizens the only ID they will accept is a passport.

and do you know what happens if its not on you but in the hotel room?

They will probably go with you to the hotel to get it

well that wouldnt be a problem at all

has anyone went to a coffeeshop and hasnt been asked to show id?

rsim wrote:has anyone went to a coffeeshop and hasnt been asked to show id?

Yes, but I'm over 50.

rsim wrote:has anyone went to a coffeeshop and hasnt been asked to show id?

yeah but it was just because i was there the day before and the budtender remembered me as "the one who looked for a coffeeshop with a sofa and got high on hazes"

rsim wrote:has anyone went to a coffeeshop and hasnt been asked to show id?

yes, i look young and most times i was never asked to show ID, maybe the facial hair put me over the top?

Never been asked for ID.

I'm 35 now but I first went to the Dam at 16 and never had any problems.

anybody else haven't been asked to show id?

I have NEVER been asked for ID in Amsterdam - ok, I'm 40 now and starting to grey a little around the edges, but I've seen people who clearly are over the legal age still being asked for their ID...

Perhaps the dealers/bartenders recognise me more now or it might just be the old Jedi mind trick finally starting to work...

These aren't the stoners you're looking for...

Anyhoo - I've never, not once been asked for proof of age - the only thing that does concern me now is that some hotels make a practice of holding onto your passport - presumably because even after paying your bill up front and them having the credit card details you've already booked with online, they presume you are going to do a runner without paying... errrmmm...

I recall the Hotel France asking to hang on to my passport (I'd never stop there again though - no windows in room and over 30degree heat without even a fan!)

These days, I'm a little more worried about carrying such a valuable document around in my pocket - I wonder if my EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) would do the job, or does it need to be photo ID?

I can almost guarantee that after saying all this, I will get asked repeatedly for ID when I go back in September!


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