Age Limits
How old do you have to be to ...
be left at home on your own?
- no age limit (but parents are legally responsible for making sure their children are safe).
leave home?
16 (usually need parent agreement)
leave school?
the last Friday in June when you are in year 11.
Those starting year 7 in Sept 08, will be legally required to stay in learning (school, college, apprenticeship or other approved training) until 2013. By 2015 young people will have to stay in learning until they are 18.
start work?
13 - but there are limits to the number of hours and type of work you can do whilst under 18. Click here for more information
get a credit card?
18
drive a car?
17 (moped at 16)
buy cigarettes?
18
buy alcohol?
18
gamble?
18 to place a bet, 16 to get a lottery ticket
get married?
16 (usually need parent agreement)
have sex?
16
be convicted of a criminal offence?
10
get a custodial sentence (be locked up)?
10
vote ?
18
see your birth certificate if adopted?
18
Sept 2009
Posted on 02 October 2009
