The Law: an Overview

It's all about age

Everyone knows that in the UK you can't drink alcohol until you're 18 or drive before you're 17. But what else? Here's a breakdown. (Disclaimer: just because you can do something, doesn't mean you have to. So, like, hold back on the liqueur chocolates : p)

Factoid You can legally get a piercing at any age
Youthinformation.com

At age 12 you can…

• Buy a pet
• See a 12 certificate film

13 you can…

• Get a job

14 you can…

• Be held fully responsible for a crime
• Go into a pub (but you can't drink or buy alcohol)
• Be blamed if you're not wearing a seat belt

15 you can…

• See a 15 certificate film or a PG unaccompanied
• Get a shotgun certificate

16 you can…

• Sell scrap metal
• Get a job
• Buy liqueur chocolates
• Buy a lottery ticket
• Buy aerosol paint
• Join a Trade Union
• Leave school
• Claim benefits
• Work full time
• Leave home with your parents’ consent
• Get married with one parent's consent
• Drink wine or beer with a meal in a restaurant
• Drive a moped
• Have sex

17 you can…

• Drive a car
• Be sent to an adult prison
• Be a street trader
• Buy an air rifle
• Leave home without your parents' consent

At any age (although you may need parental consent) you can…

• Go into a bar if you're with someone who's over 18
• Babysit
• Have a piercing
• Change your name
• Take flying lessons
• Play fruit machines in pubs
• Buy cigarettes

Written by Ali Cronin

Last updated 17th June 2007

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