Youths use a variety of ways to get past bouncers in pubs besides tampering with their driver's licences.

Alternative ID cards such sports certification cards and association memberships often require only a simple form to be completed accompanied with a picture. Youths say it's easy to supply a false year of birth.

Illegal ID card makers with sophisticated equipment can be found in major international cities where cards can be digitally made to look very authentic. Cards with a hologram surface are more expensive.

Youths often recycle identification cards from older siblings or friends. "If you have the same hair colour and are the same height it's easy to pretend that it's just an old picture," said one girl, who used an older friend's US driver's licence to get into clubs. She also said her friends with the same hair colour will share the same ID card throughout the evening. "The bouncers never remember the details... especially when the bar is busy."

An 'authentic' fake ID can be obtained by committing identity theft at TCD.