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How old to do that?

This information is intended as a rough guide to give you some idea of how old you need to be to do certain things, but does not cover every circumstance. We have done our best to make sure the information is correct. Some of the information may become inaccurate over time, for example because of changes to the law.

At any age:

  • You can get a body piercing. Some shops might ask for a parent or carer's consent before you can have a piercing
  • You can watch certificate U and certificate PG films on video/DVD or in a cinema without an accompanying adult - it is up to your parents/carers to decide if the content of the film is suitable for you. However, the cinema manager or shopkeeper has the final say if they think the film is unsuitable for you

At age 12, you can:

  • Watch certificate 12 films by renting a video/DVD or certificate 12A films in a cinema without an accompanying adult

At age 13, you can:

  • Get a job - but not for more than two hours per day

At age 15, you can:

  • Watch certificate 15 films at the cinema or by renting a video/DVD
  • Be sentenced. If you commit a serious offence you are now liable to a custodial sentence of up to two and a half years at a Young Offenders Institution or Secure Unit

At age 16 you can:

  • Legally smoke cigarettes, but can't buy them. If you are under age 16 and caught smoking by the police, they can take your cigarettes off you
  • Consent to have sex with the partner of your choice, as long as they're also age 16 or over. In the UK, it is illegal for a person to engage in sexual activity with an individual under the age of 18 if they are in a position of trust in relation to that individual
  • Get married or register a civil partnership , but only with your parents' consent
  • Go into a pub by yourself - but you can only buy soft drinks. You can drink alcohol with a meal in a pub or restaurant but it must be purchased by an adult aged 18 or over
  • Drive a moped or scooter (but not a motorbike) with an engine size of up to 50cc and a maximum speed of up to 50kmh
  • Choose your own doctor - and consent to treatment
  • Be sentenced to probation, community service, a Young Offenders Institution or Secure Unit, but not prison
  • Get legal aid - to help with court costs
  • Apply for your own passport
  • Leave home - with your parents' consent (and in some cases without parental consent)
  • Join the Armed Forces - with parental consent
  • Buy a National Lottery ticket, premium bonds or bet on the football pools
  • Buy a pet

At age 17 you can:

  • Be interviewed by the police without your parents or carers being present
  • Be sent to prison if you are convicted of a serious offence, but care orders can no longer be made on you
  • Have a probation order made on you
  • Drive a car or a motorcycle up to 125cc, but you need a provisional licence first. When learning to drive a car you must be accompanied by an adult over age 21 who has held a full licence for three years. And you'll need appropriate insurance and an MOT
  • Buy a firearm (but you'll require a firearms licence) or a crossbow
  • Donate blood without your parents' consent

At age 18 you can:

  • Buy cigarettes, but you'll need to take proof of age with you
  • Buy fireworks
  • Get married or register a civil partnership without your parents' consent
  • Purchase and consume alcohol in pubs or restaurants and purchase alcohol in off-licences and supermarkets (but you'll need to take proof of age with you)
  • Gamble in casinos and betting shops (you can also work in one)
  • Open a bank account by yourself and apply for a loan or credit card
  • Vote - in general elections and local elections
  • Become a Member of Parliament, local councillor or a mayor
  • Exercise your complete contractual capacity - so you can own land, buy a house or flat, apply for a mortgage and be an administrator or executor of a deceased person's estate
  • Serve on a jury
  • Sue someone or be sued
  • Join the Armed Forces without parental consent
  • Watch any film, video or DVD, regardless of its classification
  • Get a tattoo
  • Buy an air weapon and ammunition
  • If you are adopted, you can apply for your adoptive record
  • Change your name by deed poll
  • Claim benefits in your own right

At age 19 you:

  • Lose the automatic right to a free education and free dental treatment

At age 21 you can:

  • Drive any size motorcycle if you have completed the large motorcycle Direct Access Scheme. You can ride a large motorcycle at any age two years after passing a test on a medium-sized motorcycle
  • Adopt a child