If you have a question about the law and you can’t find the answer you are looking for please email childrenslegalcentre@swansea.ac.uk.
You can find our general information about the law from lots of places, including the internet. If you have a specific question about how the law affects you, or about something that has happened to you or that you have done, you should try and talk to a lawyer with experience in the type of law that will apply – e.g. if something has happened to you at school, you should choose a lawyer experienced in education law. There are also charities that can help and advise you on legal matters, and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau may be able to help.
When Can I...?
AT HOME
TRAVEL
You can travel without a car seat once you are 12 (or you are 135 cm tall). Once you stop using a car seat, you must wear a seat belt.
You are responsible for wearing your seat belt once you are 14
You can start driving a car when you are 17
WHERE I LIVE
EDUCATION
WORK
Iif you are caring for someone or have a disability, you may be able to receive some kind of benefit or financial support whatever age you are.
If you have a baby, you can claim child benefit whatever age you are.
Once you are 16, you can claim Education Maintenance Allowance if you’re still education.
You may be able to get other benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance, once you are 16.
You can perform on stage, on TV or model at any age, but the person employing you has to have a licence.
RELATIONSHIPS
You can only have a civil partnership if you are in a same sex relationship.
The same rules apply as they do for marriage – so you can have a civil partnership if you are 16 or older and free to enter into a civil partnership, but your parents must agree if you are under 18.
If you have a baby, you can claim child benefit whatever age you are.
Once you are 16, you can claim Education Maintenance Allowance if you’re still education.
You may be able to get other benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance, once you are 16.
ONLINE
SHOPS AND SERVICES
If you are 16 or 17, you can have alcohol (beer, wine or cider) with a meal in a pub or restaurant which sells alcohol, as long as an adult buys it for you.
You can drink alcohol in your home or other private premises if you are 5-16.
Under 5s are not allowed to drink alcohol.
You have to be 18 to buy cigarettes.
You have to be 18 to buy lighter refills or any ‘sniffable’ substances like solvents that the shopkeeper thinks you may use to get high.
You can buy aerosol spray paint when you are 16.
You have to be 18 to get a tattoo unless it’s for medical reasons.
You have to be 16 to buy a lottery ticket.
You can’t get a street trading licence until you are 18
Most banks and building societies have accounts for children, although you will probably need an adult’s permission until you are 18.
You can have a bank account in your own name from birth as long as someone like a parent can operate it for you. As you get older you will be able to have more control over the bank account – each bank will have its own rules, but in general you can start to put money into account between the age of 8-12; once you’re 13 you may be able to get a cash card to take money out of a ‘hole in the wall’ machine. Depending on the bank you open your account with, you may get a cheque book at around 16. You are not allowed an overdraft until you are 18.
You can’t have a credit card until you are 18
You can buy Premium Bonds and open an Individual Savings Account (ISA) when you are 16.
Every film has a certificate which says how old you have to be to see a film:
U – anyone can see the film
PG – should be fine for anyone over 8, but parents should check if the film is appropriate for their child
12 – You have to be 12 to see the film
12A – You can see the film if you are younger than 12 as long as an adult is with you
15 – You have to be 15 to see the film
18 – You have to be 18 to see the film
You can only buy fireworks in categories 2 and 3 if you are 18 or over. No one, even adults, can buy category 4 fireworks unless they are ‘professionals’ trained to manage fireworks.
You can only buy fireworks at certain times of the year unless you got to a licensed firework seller.
You can normally only set off fireworks between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. On bonfire night you are allowed to set off fireworks up until midnight and on New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, you can set fireworks off until 1am
You have to be 18 before you can buy most knives or guns. You will also need a licence to buy a gun.
You can buy your own pet once you are 16.
You can buy a pay-as-you-go mobile phone at any age. You can’t buy a mobile phone on a contract until you are 18 – although a parent or carer could buy a phone and set it up on a contract for you.
You have to be 18 before you can buy a house in your own name
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
You can make your own decisions about medical treatment once you are 16. You may be able to make decisions about your medical treatment if you’re younger than 16 and understand what’s involved.
Under 5s are not allowed to drink alcohol.
You can give blood once you are 18
Once you are 18, you can ‘opt out’ of the organ donation scheme in Wales.
You can buy condoms at any age – or you can get them free from some sexual health clinics or through a C Card scheme in Wales. You may have to see a doctor or a nurse at a sexual health clinic for other types of contraception, but you can get information and advice about contraception at any age. If the doctor or nurse agrees that you are mature enough, he or she can give you contraception like the pill, or implants, without telling your parents.
Find out more here.
You can go to a sexual health clinic at any age and talk to a doctor or nurse about any problems you’ve got or any advice you’d like. If you’re over 16, you won’t need your parents to be with you. If you’re under 16, and want to go ahead with contraception or an examination or something else, you may need your parent or carer’s consent if the doctor or nurse isn’t sure you understand enough about what’s happening.