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Legal Age - What can I do?

Here is a summary of what you can do and from what age.

At 10 years of age:

  • If it can be proved that you knew the difference between right and wrong, you can be convicted of a criminal offence.

At 13 years of age, you can:

  • get a part time job.

At 14 years of age, you can:

  • be held fully responsible for a crime
  • go into a pub, but not buy drink or alcohol
  • be held responsible for not wearing a seat belt
arrested back of police car graphic

At 16 years of age, you can:

  • leave school
  • get married with parental permission
  • agree to have sex
  • get a full time job
  • hold a licence to drive a moped
Moped graphic

At 17 years of age, you can:

  • learn to drive and buy a car or motorbike
  • be sent to prison

At 18 years of age, you can:

  • get married without parental permission
  • apply for a passport
  • purchase and drink alcohol in a licensed premises
  • buy cigarettes and tobacco
  • vote in elections
  • stand before adult courts
  • make a will
  • change your name
Passport Graphic