This section looks at what age you can do certain things in England. At what age can you buy alcohol, drive a car or have a piercing? You can find the answer to these and many more questions in this section.
You can view a scrolling timeline of what you can do at each age, or you can choose a category button below
FAQ
- When can I leave home?
When you are 16 you can normally leave home without the consent of your parents or anyone else with parental responsibility. If there is an order saying who you should live with, this usually comes to an end when you are 18.
- When can I get a job?
You can usually get a job from the age of 14 as long as this is “light work”. There are rules on what jobs you can do, how many hours you can work and what time of day you can work. For more information see our page on Employment for young persons.
- When can I learn to drive?
When you are 17 you can hold a licence to drive a car. When you are 16 you can hold a licence to ride a moped.
- When can I buy alcohol?
When you are 18 you can buy and drink alcohol.
- When can I start babysitting?
You can baby-sit for a child at any age, although the parents may want to check your suitability to do so. Coram Children’s Legal Centre recommends 16 as the minimum age for baby-sitting.
