North Carolina’s jumping on the vertical license bandwagon.

Huh, what? Yeah, that’s what I said, too.

Essentially, those under-21 will have vertical driver’s licenses, which will prevent store clerks from accidentally selling alcohol to minors.

While I think the idea has its merits, I’m not sure it will significantly slash underage drinking rates. Remember, I’m 19, a college student — not even old enough to go to the ABC store to interview somebody for this article. I have encountered plenty of underage drinkers, but I’ve never known any of them to waltz into a liquor store, gas station, Walmart, or similar booze outlet and walk out with alcohol. I don’t think I personally know anybody who’s even attempted it.

Furthermore, those minors I’ve heard of who’ve purchased their share of alcohol and cigarettes in public knew the clerks personally and would have gotten away with it even if their license was shaped like Mickey Mouse.

Like many people I spoke with today, I think most teenagers get their alcohol from older family and friends, and don’t bother trying to get away with purchasing it in stores.

I know I get hassled enough when purchasing Powerball tickets, and I think I come off as fairly mature. Granted, I still have my red-bordered “UNDER 18″ license because I avoid the DMV like pickles or frogs or trips to the dentist.

Between the ages of 15 and 21, we’re supposed to make a lot of trips to the DMV to keep up with various beuracratic movements. First we get our permits at 15, then our limited licenses 16, then our full under-18 licenses at 16 and a half, then our under-21 licenses at 18, then finally, we’re 21, and we get a completely normal (and now horizontal) license and are spared these excessive trips. It’s a lot to keep up with.

Hmmm. What do you think? Will this law do anything to quelll underage drinking?