When can I... ?

At what age can you do what you want to do? 

At 10:

• You can be fingerprinted, photographed, and searched while in police custody.
• Between 10 and 14 years old you are considered to be responsible for a criminal offence and are subject to the same laws as any young person up to 18.

At 11:

• You may have some paid employment under licence on a farm.
• You can be elected for the UK Youth Parliament.

At 13:

• You can do a part-time job, but each local authority creates its own by-laws and you can check these out here [link to Working time regulations for Hounslow]
• Generally speaking anyone below the school leaving age and working must have a medical certificate of fitness for work.
• If you are working and under 14 you should be employed in ‘light’ work only.
• On any school day:
• you must not work before 7 am or after 7pm;
• you must not work for more than one hour before the school day starts;
• you must not work more than 2 hours on any school day or Sunday; or
• there may be local by-laws that permit a 13 year old to work the same hours as a 14 year old but check this out!
• You can buy a pet.
• You can be elected to the Hounslow Youth Council.

At 14:

On any school day you may not work:

• before 7am or after 7 pm;
• for more than two hours on a school day (you can either work one hour before and after school or two hours after school); or
• for more that 12 hours in any week during school term time.
• In addition:
• you must not work for more than five hours on a Saturday or any other day (other than a Sunday) during school holidays, or for more than two hours on a Sunday; or
• a local authority licence is needed for someone between 14-16 if they are paid to take part in sports.
• A boy can be convicted of rape, assault with intent to commit rape and unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16. Under 14 he is not considered physically capable.

At 16:

• You may consent to sex with a partner - either the same or opposite sex.
• You can ride a moped up to 50ccs.
• You can work full time if you have officially left school.
• A boy can join the armed forces with his parent’s agreement.
• You are able to live independently providing specific conditions are met.
• You can marry with parental consent.
• You can buy cigarettes and tobacco.
• You can have beer, cider or perry while eating a meal in a restaurant, or an eating area of a pub outside the bar.
• You can apply for your own passport.
• If you have custody or are in charge of a child you can be charged with cruelty to that child.
• You can leave school on the last Friday of June of the school year when you will be 16.

At 17:

• You can hold a licence to drive most vehicles apart from medium and heavy goods vehicles.
• A care order can no longer be made on you.

At 18:

• You “reach the age of majority” - you’re an adult in the eyes of the law.
• Criminal charges against you will be dealt with in a local magistrate’s court, not the juvenile court.
• You can vote in general or local elections.
• You can serve on a jury.
• You can make a will.
• You can buy and drink alcohol in a bar.
• You can open a bank account without a parent or care’s signature.
• You can legally have a tattoo applied to your body.
• You can change your name - a change of name deed is advised.
• You can get married without parental consent.
• You can be elected to all European and UK, Parliaments, Assemblies or Local Councils.

At 19:

• All young people are entitled to free full time education up to the age of 19 either at school or college.
• You can drive a lorry or a van up to 7.5 tons.