A Teenagers Guide To Their Rights In The UK

Everyone wants to know what they can and can’t do, here’s a small guide helping you to figure out what your allowed to do in the UK at your age.

At 13

  1. You can have a small part time job ( IE Paper-round )

At 14

  1. Boys can be convicted of rape, assault with the intent to commit rape and unlawful sex with a girl if she is under 16.
  2. You can be in a pub but not buy alcohol.

At 16

  1. You can live on your own but only when certains conditions are met.
  2. You can get married with your parents’ or guardians’ consent.
  3. You can have a full time job if you have officially left school. You need to remember that you can’t work full time until the last Friday in June – even if you have turned 16 before this.
  4. You can buy cigars/cigarettes.
  5. You can have an abortion without your parents consent.
  6. You can join the armed forces with your parents’ or carers’ consent.
  7. You can apply for your own passport.
  8. You can ride a moped of up to 50ccs.
  9. A girl must be 16 before she can legally have sex with a boy.
  10. It is illegal for a boy or man to have sex with a girl under 16.
  11. You can consent to a homosexual act if you partners are over 16.
  12. You can have beer or cider whilst eating a meal in a restaurant or an eating area of a pub, but not in the bar .

At 17

  1. You can emigrate.
  2. A care order can no longer be made on you.
  3. You can hold a licence to drive most vehicles.
  4. You can pilot a plane with a license.

At 18

  1. You are legally seen as an adult in the eyes of the law.
  2. You can vote in general and local elections.
  3. You can get married.
  4. You can open a bank account in your name without a parent or carer’s signature.
  5. You can buy and drink alcohol in a bar/club/pub.
  6. You can ask to see your birth certificate if you are adopted.
  7. You can change your name.
  8. You can be part of a jury in a court.
  9. You can sue or be sued.
  10. You can make a will.
  11. You can place bets at bookies/casinos.
  12. You can get a tattoo.