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At what age can I?

The law recognises different ages and allows us to do certain things once we reach those ages. For example when we reach 17 years old we can learn to drive and when we are 18 we can vote in local and national elections.

Below are some ages of significance:

  • At 7 years of age: Open a bank account in your own name.
  • At 10 years of age: be held criminally responsible. (This is age 8 in Scotland.)
  • At 13 years of age: Get a part time job.
  • At 16 years of age: Leave school, buy a lottery ticket, consent to having sex, get married with parental consent, consent to or refuse dental or medical treatment, get a National Insurance Number, get a full time job and legally change your name.
  • At 17 years of age: Learn to drive and buy a car or motorcycle, be sent to prison.
  • At 18 years of age: Get married without parental consent, leave home without parental consent, purchase and drink alcohol in a licensed premises, buy cigarettes, vote in elections, place a bet, get a tattoo.

TheSite offer your guide to what you can legally do at what age in the UK, whether you're hoping to get served, get laid, get a mortgage or simply get a life. Read in full >>

Useful reading

The Children's Legal Centre's have produced a very useful and detailed list that includes all of the different legal changes that occur at different ages. 'At what age can I...?' is available directly from the CLC.

Organisations

Advicenow

Advicenow is a website service provided by Advice Services Alliance, the co-ordinating body for independent advice services. It brings together useful information on the law and rights from a wide range of advice and information services and includes quizzes, topical issues and more indepth sections on key legal issues. However, it does not supply an advice service to the public.

Address: CAN Mezzanine, 32-36 Loman Street, London, SE1 0EH
Website: http://www.advicenow.org.uk/

Children's Legal Centre

The Children's Legal Centre gives advice and support on legal matters including exclusions to young people and their parents and guardians.

Helpline: 08088 020 008
Address: University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ
Fax: 01206 877 963
Email: clc@essex.ac.uk
Website: http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/
Opening Hours: The advice line is open from 10.00am-12.00pm and 2.00-5.00pm, Monday to Friday