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At What Age Can I?

All through your life, the law gives you certain rights and obligations. It is in your interests to find out what they are. If you do, you’ll know when you’re breaking the law and you’ll also be able to use the law to protect you, if you need to. Laws and young people’s rights can and do change. If you need help, please contact the agencies mentioned. Below is a brief guide of how the law affects you from the age of 16. It is not a complete statement of the law. Please note that there may be exceptions to the various age categories. Please check with local police or take advice from a solicitor or CAB before acting.

School Leaving Dates

16 Years Old

Once you leave school, you can:

• Get a National Insurance Number
• Get a full time job
• Must pay national insurance contributions if employed
• Join a union
• Change your name
• Apply for a passport
• Choose your own doctor and religion
• Drink beer, wine or cider with a meal in a licensed restaurant
• Be sent to a secure training centre from the age of 12 years
• Ride a moped under 50cc and if in receipt of the higher rate of disability living allowance, drive a car (after passing the required tests)
• A girl can legally consent to sexual intercourse
• A male can lawfully consent to sex in private with another male
• Your parent loses child benefit unless you are still in full-time education
• You can buy premium bonds and national lottery tickets
• You can apply for Legal Representation
• Change your name
• You must pay NHS prescription charges and dental charges except in certain circumstances..

With Guardian/Parents’ Consent

You can:

• Get married
• Leave home
• Join the armed forces
• Donate your body and organs for transplant

17 Years Old

You can:

• Drive a car or ride a motorbike up to 125cc
• Apply for a private pilot’s licence
• Be a blood donor
• Be a street trader except on Sundays
• A care order can no longer be made about you

21 Years Old

You can do all the above and more! You can also:

• Adopt a child
• Become a member of European Parliament
• Hold a licence to sell alcohol
• Hold a licence to drive a lorry, bus and motorcycle of any capacity