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At what age can I?
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At 14...
you’re allowed to:
- you can get a part-time job if it's light work, but there are restrictions
At 16…
you’re allowed to:
- join the Armed Forces with your parents’ or carers’ permission
- get married with their permission
- apply for a passport without asking the permission of your parents (this is a recent change - December 2007)
- drive a moped
- register as a blood donor (but won’t be able to give blood until you’re 17)
- have sex
- have an abortion without your parents’ or carers’ permission
- drink wine or beer with a meal
- leave home with your parents’ or carers’ permission
- leave school on the last Friday of June if you’re 16 or will be 16 during the summer holidays before the next school year
- join a trade union
- REMEMBER - since October 2007 you can no longer legally buy cigarettes at 16, the age has been increased to 18
At 17...
you’re allowed to:
- join the Royal Navy as an officer if your parents agree (at 17 years and 6 months the Royal Airforce, at 17 years and 9 months the Army)
- give blood
- pass your driving test (car or small goods vehicle)
At 18...
you're allowed to:
- buy and drink alcohol in a bar
- buy cigarettes (this is a recent change - October 2007)
- apply for a licence to sell alcohol
- join the armed forces without parental consent
- drive a medium sized goods vehicle
- buy fireworks
- enter a betting shop and place a bet
- serve on a jury
- get married without parental consent
- vote
Rights at work
For more information on your rights at work visit the rights in work and training page.
