If you own a business that serves or sells alcoholic beverages, there are certain precautions you should take. There are generally certain rules and regulations you need to follow to receive your liquor license. Beyond that, you should consider taking steps to limit your liability if someone you sell alcohol to commits a crime. Here are some basics about liquor training requirements in the state of Alabama.
Responsible Server Training
The state of Alabama does not require responsible server training for employees of businesses that distribute alcohol. However, it does encourage training through something called the Responsible Vendor Program or RVP. The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board oversees the Responsible Vendor Program and offers mitigation of damages if there is an alcohol violation. It is for this reason that many employers require their servers and clerks to undergo RVP training in the serving of alcohol.
As long as certain conditions are met, a vendor can’t have their liquor license suspended or revoked if one of their employees sold alcohol to an underage person. One of these requirements is that the employee has undergone RVP training. Without RVP training, your establishment could be subject to heavy fines and liability if one of your employees were to serve someone who is visibly intoxicated or underage.
What’s Covered in RVP Training?
Responsible Vendor Program training will cover all the necessary bases when it comes to selling and serving alcohol. It will cover things like Alabama alcohol laws, how to determine who is of legal age, possible civil and criminal penalties, as well as some ways to reduce the risks when serving or selling alcohol. RVP training may also cover how alcohol affects the body, how to determine if someone is already intoxicated, how to properly check identification, and how to deal with difficult situations that may arise as an alcohol vendor.
Why Your Employees Should Receive RVP Training
There are multiple reasons to require your employees to undergo RVP training. It can reduce your business’s criminal and civil liability and may lead to lower insurance premiums. It will also make the community safer. A large part of RVP training is how to identify who’s already intoxicated along with how and when to cut that person off. An employee who cuts off an intoxicated person may prevent them from getting into a drunk driving accident and their training may save someone’s life.
Three Arbor Insurance
Most business insurance does not cover liquor liability. If you own an establishment that sells or serves alcohol, you’ll need liquor liability insurance. To discuss a policy, contact us at Three Arbor Insurance. Call our Birmingham office at (205) 517-8890 to get a quote today!
