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Are You Old Enough?
This section covers the law in England for young people by telling you what you can legally do at what age.
These are general guidelines. If you are worried about any legal matter it is worth contacting Community Legal Service Direct www.clsdirect.org.uk 0845 345 4 345
At the age of:
10 You have reached the age of criminal responsibility. In some serious offences, such as rape or murder, age is irrelevant (children under the age of 10 have been convicted of murder in the past)
12 You can buy a pet
12 You can see a 12A film unaccompanied at the cinema. You can also rent or buy a 12 rated video
13 You can work part-time, but the number of hours and the type of work you can do is restricted. Check with your local Connexions centre for further information
15 You can see category 15 films at the cinema or on video
16 You can work full-time after your official school leaving date
16 You can join the armed forces with parental consent
16 You can consent to have sex (whether you are straight, gay or bisexual) but, if your partner is under 16, you could be charged with sexual assault
16 You are able to live independently providing specific conditions are met
16 You can marry with parental consent
16 You can have beer, cider or wine at a table with a meal in a pub or hotel if you are accompanied by an adult. At 16 you may go up to the bar area with an adult but can only buy non- alcoholic drinks
16 You can apply for your own passport
16 You can be charged with cruelty to any child that is in your custody or charge
16 You can join most trade unions (it is possible to join some unions under 16)
16 You can ride a moped
16 You can buy a lottery ticket
17 You can hold a licence to drive most vehicles (apart from large goods vehicles or vehicles that carry more than eight passengers)
17 You can no longer have a care order made on you
18 You can purchase tobacco products
18 You are an adult in the eyes of the law. Criminal charges against you will be dealt with in the adult court, not the youth court
18 You can be tattooed
18 You can join the armed forces without parental consent
18 You can see category 18 films at cinema or on video
18 You can vote in a general or local election
18 You can serve on a jury
18 You can buy and drink alcohol
18 You can open a bank account or post office account without a parent's or guardian's signature
19 You remain entitled to free full-time education (but read the small print)
21 You can become an MP, local councillor or a local mayor
21 You will be sent to a prison, rather than a young offenders institution, should you receive a custodial sentence
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